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Butch & Co.Hi David, the game was produced by the Philadelphia Game Manufacturing Company. There are two editions -- Major League Base Ball Game, which you have there, produced from 1912 or '13 well into the 1920s, and Major League Indoor Base Ball, apparently issued only in 1912-13.
The "Indoor" edition is pretty much identical to your edition but for the box lid, which for "Indoor" features an elabourate design depicting sixteen star players of the day. That edition has averaged close to $3500. at sale and auction over the last several years, ranging from over $9600. (an exquisite example at Hunt four years ago) to under $300. (a quite nice example itself, also at Hunt, six years ago).
But that's not why you called! Your generic "green-box" edition doesn't fetch anything close to the "Indoor" prices, but it's certainly no yard-sale item either. Major League Base Ball Game averages around $220. in on-line auctions and sales. The good news if you own one or are selling one is that it's flirted with and even topped $500. on occasion. The good news if you're looking to buy one is that with some patience one can be had for not too much over $100. (one with some notable wear / discoloration / damage to the playing field / gameboard / spinner went for all of $17. on eBay just a couple of months ago). Condition factors into price, although not altogether consistently. Your example, unfortunately, appears to have some significant issues that are likely to hold down the price.
Because the game was popular, had a long production run, and is of particularly sturdy construction, it's still fairly plentiful today. You are correct about the roster "strips" -- a new set was published each year the game was in production, and they could be ordered separately from the company.
Baseball Games
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