Dear Babe: There is a lot of discussion on some hobby boards about an autographed insert in the 1993 Bicycle Aces playing cards. A friend has an original display that states that one deck in the display has an autographed card of Greg Maddux, Terry Pendleton, Cal Ripken Jr. or Fred McGriff. Of course, this begs the question of whether each player has an autographed card or if there is one from among the four players. In particular, I am wondering how many of the Ripken autographs there were. Allegedly a signed Ripken sold for several thousand. -- Chris Dishmam, Nashville, Tenn.
The big news here is that it looks as if Maddux can be added to the list of those who signed cards. Previously, we've said that Cal Ripken Jr., Terry Pendleton and Fred McGriff signed cards for this release. Beckett's Almanac of Baseball Cards notes that there is little info on these cards, with no numbers on how many each player signed. If the display shows Maddux, then he probably signed some cards as well. Beckett will probably be happy to add that to the Almanac.
As for inflated asking prices, last year, it was a Pendleton card that was offered on eBay for $1,999. As I said then, folks can ask whatever they want for an item. The proof is in the final selling price. That card didn't sell for that price. At the time, Mike Breeden, a Sports Collectors Digest columnist and autograph expert, said an Aces signed Pendleton card might be worth $5-$10 to a die-hard Pendleton collector.
Looking at values for Ripken-signed cards, I still think that $50-$150 is a good range. Remember, that this really isn't a baseball card. If one sold for thousands, more power to the seller.
Dear Babe: My daughter was saving basketball cards, and I have a box full of them. They include Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (No. 1), Earl Monroe (6), Scott Wedman (17) and Walt Frazier (129). -- Rose Villa, Bishop, Calif.
Based on the numbers, it looks like you have 1977-78 Topps basketball cards. Beckett's annual basketball card price guide lists Abdul-Jabbar at $7.50-$15. Frazier books at $2.50 and Monroe at $1.50. Condition is always the key. Plus, you'll have to check all the numbers against a guide to be sure they are all from the same year, but I suspect, based on the names you supplied, Abdul-Jabbar, Monroe and Frazier will be the most valuable. Wedman is a 40-cent common.
Dear Babe: I have enclosed a copy of a team picture of the Oakland Raiders when Al Davis was the coach and Tom Flores the OB, taken in 1962 or '63 at Frank Yuell Field when the Raiders played in Kezar Stadium. We bought a bar called Guido's' located in San Leandro in 1984. We found the large original 18-x-15-inch bluish sepia picture in the kitchen pantry. -- John Nelson, Murrieta, Calif.
Based on the players pictured, methinks it's a photo of the 1964 team. Proverb Jacobs was with the Raiders in 1963 and '64. Bill Miller's first year was '64.
"The Raiders photo does not have any great value unless it is signed by the team," said Mike Heffner, president of www.Lelands.com auction house in New York. "As just a photo, it is worth less than $50. If it was signed by the team, it would be worth 10 times that or more."
(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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