Need help on valuation? 1955 Ashland Oil Basketball

[Leon]

I guess a gentleman stumbled on our site, as many do, and asked me this question, which I am not sure of the answer for him. Can anyone help?


"I have 8 of the 1955 Ashland Oil basketball cards but do not know their value. I have two of Joseph Mikez, Jr. of Murray,E.C. two of William Evans of Kentucky,one has a oil stain in upper right hand corner,two of George Orr of Western,one with a slight stain and crease,one of Victor Harned of Western,E.C. and one of Jerry Whitsell of Western with a crease. Thanks,

Wayne"

[buymycards]

Hi Leon,
I'm looking at the 2009-10 Beckett Basketball Almanac. It shows NM 1955 Ashland/Aetna Oil at $25-$50 for Near Mint cards.

Orr, Harned, and Whitsel are commons, Mikez and Evans are $40-80,
and I don't see a Murray in this set.

Of course, they would be much less in the condition that is described.

Rick

[booyahlaw]

Leon,

I would look to the beckett almanac for the base price. However, being in the trenches looking for these cards, I can tell you that most collectors put a premium on the cards depicting players of the West Virginia schools (Marshall College and West Virginia University). University of Kentucky and University of Louisville, as these were the "big schools" in the area where the gas stations were located which gave the cards away, command about $25 to $50 (excluding Adolph Rupp).

There was a Murray State College in the set, and those cards are pretty rare, as the Kentucky schools go.

The best article which I have read that cover these cards is from a May 2004 issue of Beckett basketball. Below is a link to that article.

http://www.jeffreymullen.com/publications.htm

Also, supposedly the Aetna Oil backs are more rare than the Ashland Oil backs. However, I have seen plenty of both for the Kentucky schools.

Hope this helps.

Phil

[Leon]

Thanks Rick and Phil

Phil- looks like ya'll have made contact which was the whole idea here. I am only (personally) marginally interested in basketball cards but I know other board members collect them AND all board members are good board members :). Glad to try to help....ya'll take care and good luck!!

[booyahlaw]

Leon,

Thanks for your help. Though I don't post much here, and have limited knowledge of vintage baseball, everyone I have communicated with who is in any manner associated with this forum has been a class act. The forum has been an invaluable resource for me in my efforts to learn more about the pre-war baseball issues--I appreciate all efforts in making this thing run!

Phil