Baseball Memorabilia

A 1985 Topps Roger Clemens Rookie card #181 has a book value of about $25.00. in near/mint -mint condition. Professionally graded cards will sell for more. Condition is important.

Common flaws with baseball cards include: rounded edges, creases, off centered, and faded color. Any or all flaws will devalue the card significantly.

It depends on the card:

1984 Fleer Update, Card #27:

This card is listed as Roger Clemen's only extended rookie card. The card once in line with other notable players in the set, is now responsible for two-thirds of the set's value. This card shows a nice clean shot of Roger Clemens in his Red Sox uniform. It currently books for $225, but beware of counterfeits when trying to add this card to your collection since there have been numerous reports of falsified issues.

1985 Fleer, Card #155:

There were three main rookie cards of Roger Clemens produced in 1985. These cards were issued by Topps, Donruss and Fleer. Out of the three, the ones issued by Donruss and Fleer are of equal value. They each book for $40. The Fleer card though was not issued in a factory set and thus presents a slightly harder challenge for collectors. Fleer also offers a crisp and clean close up picture of the pitching star, making me tip the scales in favor of this card.

1985 Topps Tiffany, Card #181:

While the 1985 Topps' Rookie Card of Roger Clemens was widely produced, the Tiffany version was limited in production. Only 5,000 factory sets were produced by Topps, making the Roger Clemens issue a highly sought after card. The card currently books for $150.

1993 Finest Refractor, Card #104:

In 1993 the Topps Company released its revolutionary "Finest" set. The set ushered in the era of the "super premium" cards. Twelve years have passed since its initial release and the set's refractor subset is still holding its value. The Roger Clemens Finest refractor is priced at $200, making it one of the most valuable within the subset.

2001 Donruss Rookie Reprint, Card #RR7:

There are various certified autograph cards of Roger Clemens available to collectors, but none like the 2001 Donruss Rookie Reprint issue. This card is a reproduction of Roger's 1985 Rookie Card. The card is limited in production to 85 (in honor of his rookie card year), and it's priced at $120.

2005 Diamond Kings Materials Framed Green Bat-Jsy, Card #278:

While most of the cards mentioned so far feature Roger in a Boston uniform, this card has him in Yankee pin strips. Limited in production to 25, the card comes with both a piece of a game used bat and a pinstriped jersey. Though newly released, this card can be found selling for $40.

2005 Leaf Century Material Fabric Position Jsy, Card #/250:

Still, those wishing to add a card to their collection with Roger's current address and uniform, can pick up this relatively inexpensive new issue from Leaf. The card features Clemens with a swatch of his Houston Astro's jersey. Limited to a print run of 250, the card can be found for about $15.

These are just a few of the many great Roger Clemens cards that have been produced over the years. While it is harder to get a great deal on cards of current hot stars, bargains can still be found. If a collector is willing to have patience and spend a little time looking, he can find most of these cards selling between 40-60% of their listed values. Places like flea markets, on-line card auctions, and card shows are more likely to offers these cards at reduced prices. It also never hurts to ask how low a seller is willing to go in order to sell you the card you seek. Aside from these higher priced issues, a great deal of more common Roger Clemens card can be found in the $1-$4 range. Remember that the important thing is to enjoy the hobby.

Common flaws with baseball cards include: rounded edges, creases, off centered, and faded color. Any or all flaws will devalue the card significantly.

A 1992 Conlon TSN Babe Ruth 1924 card number 426 has a book value of about $1.00 in near/mint -mint condition. Professionally graded cards will sell for more. Condition is important.

Common flaws with baseball cards include: rounded edges, creases, off centered, and faded color. Any or all flaws will devalue the card significantly.

A 1914 Babe Ruth Rookie baseball card - just the tenth card of its kind to be discovered - which sold at auction in April. for about $270,000. The card was produced by the Baltimore Sun Newspaper. The second most valuable baseball card behind only the 1909 M206 Honus Wagner tobacco card (which recently sold at auction for $2.35 million).

Once the card is signed it loses it's value as a collectible baseball card. It now becomes a "signed item" to display the signature. The signature would be considered as a flaw in the condition of the card and the bulk of the value will rely on the signature. The card collector will not spend the money on the card. It will be appealing to the autograph collector but the autograph collector will not spend the extra money on the Collectible card.

Signed baseball cards typically sell at a bout 30-40 percent the price of a signed baseball or the price of a signed 8 x 10 photo. The price could also vary based on the popularity of the player, and how sought after the signature is. A high valued card can add some value but not come close to it's un-signed value.

I have not found any closed auction with a signed baseball card but being compatible in value with a photo the value should be in the $3,000.-$4,000. price range in general with added value for the card. value may vary based on condition, and the type of authenticity that accompanies the signature, and how well the baseball card displays the signature. Signatures that are not authenticated could sell at half the market value or less.

In a few recent auctions a signed 3 x 5 photo sold for $5,377.50. a large 17 x 21 fountain pen signed photo with inscription sold for $23,900. The average photo sold for about $3,000. - $4,000

There are a large variety of baseball cards made for Babe Ruth. From the 1916 Sporting News M101 to the modern day Topps baseball cards that sell as low as a dollar. Not to mention the many reprints. prices will vary. Graded cards will sell at a significant price higher.

Most noted Babe Ruth cards include 1916 Sporting News M101 graded Near Mint 7 by PSA, sold for an $82,250. and the Babe Ruth 1933 Goudey baseball card #53 sold for $38,187.50 graded. Most Babe Ruth cards with high value are from the 1930's gum cards sets. A Ruth 1933 Goudey baseball card #149 sold for $2,100. and a 1933 Goudey #144 Babe Ruth graded PSA NM-MT 8 $16,240.00.

The Mickey Mantle stamp is one of a set of four that featured Baseball Hall of Famers Mickey Mantle, Roy Campanella, Hank Greenberg and Mel Ott on the 39-cent "Baseball Sluggers" postage stamps. They can be purchased for $1.50 each new. If unused, they are still valid for face value as postage. To a collector they may be worth a dollar or two in mint condition. These are fairly common stamps.

Hank Aaron is still living. Given that the US does not issue stamps depicting living persons, there is no US issued stamp with Aaron on it. Some countries have issued stamps to capitalize on the sports collectors, most stamp collectors are not interested in such commercial items.

~*~Actually there IS a Hank Aaron Stamp. First day of issue was Dec. 21 1992. It was a $2 Hank Aaron, St. Vincent & the Grenadines postage stamp and then there was also a $10 23karat gold stamp released at the same time in '92 (depicting the April 16, 1964 Houston/Owens away game. I believe about 400 of those exist, only because I have one and it says "#343 of Four" hundred I assumed...or thousand? Anyways, although I don't know the value, I saw one (autographed) on eBay for $120. But that is for the golden stamp.

A 1952 Topps Jackie Robinson card number 312 has a book value of about $2,200.00 in Near Mint condition and $550.00 - $1,110.00 in Very Good - Excellent condition. Professionally graded cards will sell for more. Condition is important.

Common flaws with baseball cards include: rounded edges, creases, off centered, and faded color. Any or all flaws will devalue the card significantly.

Value is based on average prices of recently closed auctions. Prices may vary based on condition, and the type of authenticity that accompanies the baseball. Signatures that have not been properly authenticated could sell at half the market value or less. Add for inscriptions.

Collectors will pay more for inscriptions like "HOF 62", and pay less for personal inscriptions like "Good Luck Chuck"

Most online price guides charge a fee. There are two sites that are free and require no membership, login, or email address: portasite.com and tuffstuff.com. Please note that the tuffstuff site covers more sets and years, but not in depth. The portasite price guides are more detailed, but primarily for vintage cards from the 1950s - 1980s. If you are just trying to find the value of some baseball cards, these should be enough. If you are a serious collector or dealer, you will most likely have to subscribe to a paid site to find the information you need.

For more extensive and authoritative price information you can visit the Beckett.com website. You will have to subscribe for a fee of $6 a month, but you will be able to tap into a large database of prices, and more.

Perhaps the best way to price cards is to use a guide that is based on past sales transactions on eBay and other auctions for cards that have been professionally graded. Try VintageCardPrices.com which covers sports cards from 1867 to 1989 and they charge about $12 a month with all sports included. You can also try mycardfolio.com which offers a free baseball card price guide based on past eBay sales.

eBay is a good place to see what collectors are currently paying for a card. Do a completed items search on eBay for the card you are looking for. Note the condition of the card that sells as compared to the card you have. Base your price on a number auction results.

The condition of the card has tremendous impact on the value. For example, cards in "Good" condition are worth only about 25% of the "book value", while "Mint" cards may be worth 4 times book values. Information about how to grade your own cards can also be found at the portasite.com and beckett.com web sites.

Be sure to take note if the card has been professionally graded. Graded cards will be inside a thick protective plastic container with information as to who graded it, and what condition it was found to be in. Professionally graded cards typically sell for more than twice as much as ungraded cards.

You can also find price information for your cards for free on WikiAnswers. To determine a value of your card, simply ask the question providing the following important information: The year the card was issued, the company that issued the card, the player, and the card number. (Note that the year the card was issued is typically the year after the last year listed on the card.)

Signatures will vary in price based on condition, the type of authenticity that accompanies the signature, the item signed, and how well the item displays the signature. Baseballs are the most common, and preferred by collectorsbecause of it's connection to the game, low cost, availability and it displays the signature well. The signed baseball represents the average price for a signature, and by deducting or adding from this price for the Item signed accordingly will give you a good idea on value.

The lowest priced signed item would be for a "cut Signature." A cut signature is a signature on a piece of paper, or "cut" from a larger piece. Index cards are the next step up, and both sell at a fraction (about 10%-20%) the price of an autographed baseball. Autograph photos typically sell at about 40-60 percent the price of a baseball with bats, uniform Jersey's and equipment selling at a higher price due to the higher cost of the item, rarity and display.

In general if an autographed baseball is worth $100. the same autograph on a 8x10 photo $50. a cut signature $20. on a bat $150. The percentage of the price could also vary based on the popularity of the player, and how sought after the signature is.

An Alex Rodriguez single signed baseball is worth between $250.-$400. Value is based on average prices of recently closed auctions. Prices may vary based on condition, and the type of authenticity that accompanies the baseball. Signatures that have not been properly authenticated could sell at half the market value or less. Add for inscriptions. In a recent auction (April 2008) an Alex Rodriguez single signed baseball sold for $358.50

Common flaws with baseball cards include: rounded edges, creases, off centered, and faded color. Any or all flaws will devalue the card significantly.