1916 Spalding Baseball Guide

[blackandgold]

Hello,
I was in a small book store over the weekend and saw a 1916 Spalding Baseball Guide that is in excellent condition. It was priced at $350, and I was wondering if that was a fair price.
I don't really know anything about these, but would love to pick this up. If that price is reasonable, I'll need to start saving !
Thanks for any help.

[barrysloate]

That's too high for a 1916. I would say half that is about right, and at that price I would expect it to have full front and back covers.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Agree with Barry

[Hot Springs Bathers]

I would not claim to be the ultimate expert and have nothing close to Barry's expertise in these areas but the 1916 Spalfding and Reach Guides in very nice shape have been selling in the $60-85 range on eBay.

I have been collecting these guides for the past 25 or so years and tend to be on the cheap side when looking to purchase but these are still pretty reasonable.

[barrysloate]

What's the condition in the $85 range? If they are nice with full covers, that's a great deal. Maybe the prices for guides are getting softer, but REA had an incredible set in their last auction and the final price was very strong. I guess the market for them can be thin.

[Hot Springs Bathers]

The condition on those guides is pretty nice but most have some chipping. The REA lot was really nice and I felt that the price it realized had to do with someone being able to pick up a large lot which of course is a great time saver.

[blackandgold]

Thanks for the help. I thought it seemed high, but like I said, I really don't know too much about these. Perhaps, like the merchant on "Life Of Brian", they want to haggle.

[jbsports33]

1916 version goes for a bit more, first full year showing Babe Ruth stats and Photos - info is always from the year before -150.00-200.00 is about right

Jimmy

[quinnsryche]

Last 2 on ebay went for $36 & $79. Decent, complete copies. I collect these and I would not pay more than $100 for a guide from this era (and it would have to be an exceptionally nice copy at that price. I agree with the $60-85 range. $350 is just an uninformed price, the seller has NO idea of market value. Amazing that still happens these days.
If you want one, go on ebay, there is one for $125 BIN (I still think that's too high).
Good luck and smart thing to ask first!

[blackandgold]

Originally Posted by quinnsryche

Last 2 on ebay went for $36 & $79. Decent, complete copies. I collect these and I would not pay more than $100 for a guide from this era (and it would have to be an exceptionally nice copy at that price. I agree with the $60-85 range. $350 is just an uninformed price, the seller has NO idea of market value. Amazing that still happens these days.
If you want one, go on ebay, there is one for $125 BIN (I still think that's too high).
Good luck and smart thing to ask first!

Thanks. I checked ebay last weekend after I saw it, and that's when I thought I'd better ask the experts on here. I'm also trying to collect the Louisville Slugger Yearbooks when I find nice ones, and they're relatively inexpensive and easy to find. These are new territory for me.
I appreciate all the help !

[jbsports33]

Yes,

I understand, but those examples are not in ex condition, just like cards - condition is everything with these guides. I do feel the market has come down for these which is why you can get a good price on eBay - if you like it enough make an offer -350.00 is too much

Jimmy

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by jbsports33

1916 version goes for a bit more, first full year showing Babe Ruth stats and Photos - info is always from the year before -150.00-200.00 is about right

Now I'm interested. Has this been reprinted? A reprint is just as good to me as the original. (Okay, a reprint is better to me, because I can't afford the original.)

[barrysloate]

Horton Publishing did a reprint set for the years 1876 to 1905, including an 1890 Player's League Guide. I don't recall anything after 1905 being reprinted.