Dear Babe: I have photo of Babe Ruth with three other men that I found in my late uncle's belongings and was wondering if you might be able to help me figure out who the other gentlemen are, what year it was taken and what kind of hats are they wearing. Were they from a branch of service or some sort of service club? -- Ann Anzo, Mt. Shasta, Calif.
Actually, it's a photo of William Bendix. It was probably taken during the filming of "The Babe Ruth Story" in 1948. Bendix starred in the role of The Bambino. It's not the best-ever movie -- based in large part on Ruth stories that weren't true. As for the three gentlemen in the photo, "Long Beach" printed on one of the hats says a lot. Again, it's just a guess, but I suspect the three gentlemen belonged to a veterans' organization and were visiting while the crew was on location. Recreation Field in Long Beach, which is now the site of Blair Field, could have been where the photo was taken. Unless one of the vets is a Medal of Honor winner or went on to become a famous politician, the photo has little value. Mike Heffner, president of www.Lelands.com, said it might be worth around $25.
Dear Babe: I have a 1948 World Series program -- Braves vs. Indians along with a stub for Game 1. I also have a 1949 Boston Braves program for a game against the Cincinnati Reds. -- Linda Casazza, Hollis, N.H.
It was almost an all Boston affair in the 1948 World Series, but the Indians fought their way in, defeating the Red Sox in a one-game playoff. Even though Bob Feller went 0-2, the Indians won in six games with Bob Lemon winning twice, including the Game 6 clincher. It looks like a stub for Game 1 and a program are worth $50-$75 for the package, according to David Kohler, president of www.scpauctions.com. A 1949 Braves program for a game against the Reds is worth $15-$20.
Dear Babe: We have an autograph of Willie Shoemaker on a cocktail napkin from the Derby Restaurant from 1987-88. We also have an autograph of Corey Black, now a retired jockey from the late 1980s that is made out to my wife. -- Ralph Snook, Calimesa, Calif.
"Jockey material does not have a huge following like baseball, but a guy like Shoemaker is still a pretty good name," said Mike Heffner, president of www.Lelands.com. "He did sign a lot of material and his signature on something like the napkin is worth around $100. As for Corey Black, he is not a household name, and the demand for his signature is not too great. I would say around $10."
BABE NOTE: In spring a young man's fancy turns to baseball, so that means it's time for the latest edition, celebrating 60 years of cards. There's a relic or autographed card in very 36-pack hobby box. As always the product is loaded with inserts, including Diamond Anniversary giveaway cards with codes good for an original Topps card. Suggested retail price is $1.99 for each 10-card pack. For details, 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@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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