Ask Babe: More questions for the Babe

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Dear Babe: I have a Topps 1991 Chipper Jones #1 draft pick card, wearing his Bolles High School uniform, and an Upper Deck 1991 Chipper Jones "Top Prospect '91.'' Chipper signed each card once. My niece got cards from Jones' wife for a silent auction. The UD card signature is with a ball point pen. The Topps card was signed with a Sharpie. -- Bob Blackburn, Alpharetta, Ga.Signed cards always pose a problem when it comes to determining value. Serious collectors don't get excited about signed cards, because they are small and hard to display. Many collectors feel signatures detract from the value of an expensive card. They're stance is that it's not mint if it has been signed. Also, collectors shy away from cards with signatures that are not certified by a manufacturer, because it's not that hard to track one down if we're talking about a player of Jones' stature.Of course to an average person, an autograph is an autograph. Tuff Stuff lists an 8-x-10 photo signed by Chipper at $40, so that gives us something to go on. In this case neither of Jones' rookie cards is that valuable, so the autographs are going to add value. I'd say $15-$25 per card if $40 is a good value for a signed 8-x-10 photo.Other factors include how often he signs and how much he charges if he does a show. If it's a hefty fee for a flat item, that might enhance the value of signatures on the cards. Dear Babe: I have a program from the first Pro Bowl in Los Angeles in 1951. The grand marshals that day were the actors from the TV show "Space Patrol.'' Two have lasted -- Nina Bara and Cadet Happy. I also have a program from the Nov. 11, 1949 game between the Rams and New York Bulldogs. That one is signed in pencil by Norm Van Brocklin, Bob Waterfield, Elroy Hirsch and several others. -- Gene Berry, Yucaipa, Calif.Wow! "Space Patrol.'' Da Babe was a big fan back in the day. Yes, Cmdr. Buzz Corey (Ed Kemmer), Lyn Osborn (Happy), Ken Mayer (Maj. Robbie Robertson), were around from 1951-55. But I digress. Actually, those signatures mean little one way or the other. Both programs are in the $100-$200 range, said David Kohler, president of www.SCPauctions.com in Mission Viejo, Calif. The Pro Bowl program has value because it is from the first game. The other has value because of the signatures. Dear Babe: My niece was in an Ohio mall in 2000 when she spotted Dale Earnhardt Sr. She took a shot of him sitting at a table and then got him to sign it. She gave it to me as a Christmas present. -- Joe Babula, Penn Run, Pa.Nice present. It's a clear, bold signature of the NASCAR legend, mostly on the white edge of the photo. It's worth $75-$100, said Brian Marren, vice president of acquisitions for www.MastroAuctions.com auctions in Chicago. Dear Babe: I have a 1975 Dr. Pepper 16-oz. glass bottle commemorating the Nebraska Cornhuskers vs. Oklahoma Sooners rivalry with all the scores from 1912 to 1975. -- C. Becker, Grand Island, Neb.I didn't see any that had sold in recent eBay auctions but one was for sale for $9.99 plus shipping and handling in an eBay store. Based on values similar commemorative bottles, I'd say $5-$15 is good range.Dear Babe: I have a Louisville Slugger bat signed by Hank Aaron. It has "HA5'' on the knob. -- Sharon Williams, Newnan, Ga."You have a store model bat,'' said Dave Bushing, an expert on bats and an authenticator for www.mearsonline.com. "If it is autographed, it's probably in the $150-$200 range."(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.scrippsnews.com)