Ask Babe: More questions for the Babe

Dear Babe: I have several Red Sox mid-1930s baseball cards. They are not in good condition, since the person who gave them to me pinned them up for display with thumbtacks. Among them are Rick Ferrell (National Chicle, Goudey Gum), Lefty Grove (Goudey), and Billy Werber (Chicle) among others. -- Harry Devitt, Redlands, Calif.You definitely did not understate the case when you said they were not in good condition. Unfortunately in many cases, the punctures are the least of the damage. Many are ripped or severely creased, which leaves them with virtually no value. That's probably the case for the 1934 Goudey Lefty Grove (No. 19). The Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards from the editors of Sports Collectors Digest says the top value is $675, while Beckett's Almanac of Baseball Cards' top mark is $300. The two guides are light years apart on values for this set with the Standard Catalog having much higher listings. On a couple of the cards, the tack holes are the only major damage. Someone working on a low grade set might be interested in a couple of the cards. The 1933 Goudey Rick Farrell rookie card might have some value. Top value in The Standard Catalog is $415 and $125 in Beckett's Almanac. Also the National Chicle1934-36 Diamond Stars Billy Werber might interest someone. In top shape, it lists for $80-$100. Of course both of these cards would be worth just a small fraction of those top values -- and probably only to someone working on a low grade set.Dear Babe: A friend and I have complete sets of Kansas City Royals media guides from 1969. Some of the earlier ones may have a person's name written on the front cover, but otherwise should be in good condition with the later editions being in near mint condition. -- Chris Rice, Rex, Ga."There is something to be said about a complete run of media guides,'' said Phil Regli, owner of P&R Publications in Irvine, Calif. and a long-time magazine dealer. "The cost to purchase them at retail would be $5 times 40 issues with equals $200. I would tend to say that the value of the first media guide 1969 would be $20. So I suspect the value is between $100 and $200 based upon the desire of a collector. Keep in mind that those names written on the cover will probably drive down the value.''Dear Babe: I have baseballs signed by Juan Marichal and Nolan Ryan. -- Arthur Bonelli Sr., Lawrenceville, Ga.It never hurts to have items signed by Hall of Famers. Tuff Stuff and Beckett list a single-signed Ryan baseball at $125-$200, while Tuff Stuff has Marichal at $40.BABE NOTE: The 28th edition of JOGO Canadian Football League cards are out. JOGO has the longest consecutive years of issue among football cards next to Topps. This year, each of the 360 boxed sets contains a card autographed by one of 10 players. There are also 200-card sets that feature 15 rookies and 15 short prints. In addition, there are black-bordered cards with no UV coating that went directly to players in 500-card lot. John Bradley's premise is to produce just enough sets to meet Canadian Football League collector interest. The limited production ensures that the cards will hold their value, Bradley said. For a complete checklist visit my blog at www.scrippsnews.com/waxpak. To find dealers who have the sets, visit www.jogocfltradingcards.com/intro.html.(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)