Dear Babe: I have a number of Baltimore Orioles items from when I lived in Baltimore, raising four children. As you can see from the photos I have four pennants. One is a 1970 World Series pennant with a team photo, while another is from the 1979 Series. I also have two others - one with an Orioles logo and other with the team logo. -- Jerri Haines, Redding, Calif.
"The Orioles have a very prolific pennant history," said Dave Stark, of www.Pennantking.com. "The mid-1980s pennant is basic $4-$8, the basic '70s bird design $18-$25, while the dated 1979 AL Champs is worth $45 if original. The 1970 photo pennant is in the $45-$65 range. There have been many variations to the basic design, so those stating A.L. Champs or World Series etc. are more sought after."
Dear Babe: I have a 1961 Topps Mickey Mantle ball card (No. 475). I have been told the value can vary greatly based on the quality of the card. What grading system is used for such cards? Can you tell me how I can get the card graded? Is it expensive? -- Fred Weber, New Ipswich, N.H.
Condition is the key to the value of any card. In today's marketplace, top dollar for vintage cards is going to cards that are graded and encased in plastic. PSA's Sports Market Report says that a PSA9 MT graded card books at $2,300 with the value dropping to $325 for a NNMT PSA8. A PSA5 Excellent condition card books at $85. Looking at completed eBay auctions for the 1961 Mantle card, those book values are close to actual auction results with a PSA 9 selling for $2,000 and a PSA 5 selling for $76. That does not include S&H.
Meanwhile ungraded cards sold in the $50-$136 range, depending on the stated condition.
The SMR population report shows that one card got a perfect PSA 10 Gem Mint grade, while 29 earned a PSA9.
PSA has graded 1,979 of the Mantle cards with about half falling in the PSA 6-8 range. There are 477 cards that earned a PSA 6 EXMT grade, 481 at PSA 7 NM and 325 at PSA 8 NMMT.
Dear Babe: What do the different words (Genuine, Trademark, Special) above a player's name on a bat mean? Also does it make a difference in the value if you have the bat cleaned? -- Beanie Jansky, Lakewood, Colo.
Often the words help to differentiate between a store model bat and a player's game bat. Also in the case of Louisville Slugger bats from Hillerich & Bradsby and Adirondack and Rawlings bats, the wording, especially around and on the label, helps date a bat.
As for cleaning, I asked Robert Lifson, president of www.RobertEdwardsAuctions.
"It really depends on the collector's personal preference," Lifson said. "Some collectors prefer the original wear and tear, including cracks, tobacco juice, tape etc., especially with professional model game-used bats; others like to have them look brand new. There's no one right answer, but game-used bat collectors are usually fine with wear and any damage associated with actual use by the player, and often consider it a plus."
"While game-used bats can be touched up a little, the evidence of use adds to their value, so they are better left alone," Lifson said.
BABE NOTE: Topps is twittering. The card manufacturer has created a twitter account that lets collectors reach its customer service folks online. It's www.twitter.com/topps--support.
(Send card questions to Babe Waxpak, PO Box 492397, Redding, CA 96049-2397 or e-mail babewaxpak@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.)
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