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Ask Babe: More questions for the Babe

Submitted by SHNS on Fri, 11/14/2008 - 18:31

Dear Babe: I have a 2006 Topps Sterling Spider Jorgensen card with a "cut'' signature on it. Frederick Minor, Brookline, N.H.Jorgensen, a hot prospect at third base, came up in 1947 -- the same year Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier. While Robinson lived up to the hype and ended up in the Hall of Fame, Jorgensen's career was short-lived. He injured his arm hunting in the off-season and re-injured the next spring, according to the book, "The Ballplayers.'' He was out of baseball by 1952.The Jorgensen card appears to be another 1/1 card. Topps probably included him in the set just because he was a Dodger. His cut signature might be worth "$10 on a good day,'' said Mike Gutierrez, consignment director for Heritage Auctions (www.ha.com) in Dallas. However, when sigs end up on cards, they take on a life of their own."He passed away in 2003 and there is a decent amount of cheap cut signatures of his on eBay,'' said Brian Fleisher, a senior market analyst for Beckett. "I even found a couple that were under $5. Still, people like cut signature cards. I'd guess maybe $20-$50 on it. I know it seems a little high for a guy like Jorgensen, but I don't think a dealer would let a cut sig like that go for anything less than $50.''If the card showed up on eBay, I'd think it would definitely fall closer to that low value of $20. I should note that in the Upper Deck's 2001 Legends of New York set, there is no Jorgensen among the base cards, but he does have a relic bat card. One sold recently on eBay for $4.35 including shipping and handling.Dear Babe: I have two Mickey Mantle baseball cards. One is a 1964 Topps No. 50, card graded by Beckett as a 4.5. The other card is a 1959 No. 10 Mantle card that is autographed. -- Elaine E. Scales, Canton Ga.Once again we have a valuable vintage card with a signature. Beckett and Tuff Stuff list the 1959 Mantle at $600-$1,000. I just answered a similar question about a signed Mantle card from 1958. Mike Heffner, president of www.lelands.com auction house in South Dennis, Mass. valued that one at $500, while Mike Gutierrez, consignment director for Heritage Auctions (www.ha.com) in Dallas, said it was worth $250. I think that's probably good for your card as well. As for the PSA 4.5 1964 Mantle card, that rating means it is in very good/excellent condition, which is pretty far down on the scale. Beckett's Graded Card Investor Guide says that a 1964 Mantle graded as VG-EX is worth $100.Dear Babe: I have a five-year run of Beckett monthly price guides, dating from September 1994 issue with Dale Earnhardt Sr. on the cover. -- Jeffrey Crowell, Lilburn, Ga.Often you have a better chance at selling magazines when you have "runs,'' but I don't think it make much difference for price guides. It looks as if the first issue from September 1994 with Earnhardt Sr. on the cover sells for a few dollars in online auctions - if they attract any bids. Many do not. Generally magazines such as this appeal to collectors who covet a particular driver, looking for issues that have him on the cover.BABE NOTE: For the 18th straight year, McDonald's restaurants throughout Canada will be featuring hockey cards. The set features the last three Calder Cup (rookie of the year) recipients - Alexander Ovechkin (2005-06), Evgeni Malkin (2006-07) and Patrick Kane (2007-08). The set also includes the Staal brothers -- Eric, Jordan and Marc. There's a 50-card Upper Deck base set, a 50-card gold parallel set numbered to 100 along with 54 inserts. In addition, there are 4,000 "Instant Winner'' cards offering autograph cards, jersey cards, jersey patch cards or complete sets of 2008 Upper Deck Ice Heroes. Three-card packs will be available for .99 cents with any food purchase from Nov. 18 through Dec. 31 (or while card supplies last). For more details and to view the complete checklist, visit my blog at www.scrippsnews.com/waxpak.(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)