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Ask Babe: More questions for the Babe

Submitted by administrator on Fri, 12/07/2007 - 16:58

Dear Babe: I have a Hollywood Stars jersey (photo enclosed) that I got in the late 1940s when I was playing semi-pro baseball in the L.A. area. -- Joe Steffen, Homeland, Calif."This jersey appears to be from circa 1948 Hollywood Stars of Pacific Coast League,'' said Brian Marren, vice president of acquisitions for www.MastroAuctions.com auctions in Chicago. "If it is sold as a style with no known player, the value would be in the range of $1,500 to $2,500. If it were (from) a well-known player, this jersey would command a premium." Dear Babe: I have a piece of paper with Joe DiMaggio's signature from around 1946. The paper is also signed by Chuck Snavely (the University of North Carolina coach) and player Art Weiner. -- William Nebel, Chapel Hill, N.C.Both Snavely, the first coach to use game films, and Weiner, an end for the University of North Carolina in the late 1940s, are both members of the College Hall of Fame."I can assure you that there aren't too many people searching for his (Snavely's) autograph. Nevertheless, it's probably worth $50 or so. Weiner is still alive. I'd say $300 for this is the absolute max because the DiMaggio is likely a 1950s version,'' said Mike Breeden, an autograph expert and editor of Tuff Stuff's autograph guide."The value comes from DiMaggio. Since it is a vintage signature (1940-50s), I presume, it should be worth at least $200,s'' aid Mike Heffner, president of www.lelands.com auction house in New York. Dear Babe: I have a baseball card of Hank Aaron where he appears to be hitting left-handed. Perhaps the negative was simply reversed. -- Carl Proehl, Big Canoe, Ga. Dear Babe: I have 1957 baseball card showing the great right-handed home run hitter batting lefty on the card. -- Jim Sweeney, Dunwoody, Ga., AtlantaTwo for the price of one. You both have copies of Henry Aaron's 1957 Topps card (No. 20) that was printed with a reverse negative and never corrected. Beckett puts it in the $175-$300 range, while Tuff Stuff says it is worth $325 in near-mint condition. Dear Babe: I have a miniature Louisville Slugger baseball bat that is stamped "J. Hans Wagner.'' -- Ruth Zack, Homer City, Pa.According to Brian Marren, vice president of acquisitions for www.MastroAuctions.com auctions in Chicago, and Dave Bushing, an expert on bats and an authenticator for www.mearsonline.com, miniature souvenir bats were popular novelties in the 1930s through the 1950s. One with Wagner's name (without a decal) on it is probably worth $150-$200,. Dear Babe: I have a T-shirt that says "Bulls Fever.'' It is about 20 years old and has caricatures and printed signatures of Michael Jordan, Scottie Pippin, Horace Grant, Dave Corzine and John Paxson. Arthur Allison, Antrim, N.H.I found one shirt identical to yours and another with different caricatures that sold for $15-$17 (including S&H) on eBay. Nothing speaks better for value more than actual sales. Based on those results, I'd say $10-$20 is a good range for the shirt, depending on its condition.(Send card questions to Babe Waxpak, PO Box 492397, Redding, CA 96049-2397 or e-mail babewaxpak(at)charter.net. If possible, include card number, year and brand or a photocopy. Please do not send cards. For Babe Waxpak's blog, see www.scrippsnews.com/waxpak. Babe Waxpak is a feature of The Record Searchlight in Redding, Calif.)(Distributed by Scripps Howard News Service, http://www.shns.com)