Guide ID help

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Posted By: Keith O'Leary

I have a friend who ask me about this tobacco related baseball item and is interested in getting an estimate of value. Personally, I've never seen one, but its certainly a great reference book. 129 or so pages, issued by Bull Durham from old "Drawer S in Jersey City NJ" (same address as many other tobacco premiums including T3s), and measures about 4 5/8 X 6 1/2". I'm assuming this was issued as a paperback and Mr. Oscar Steele had it bound. Can anyone help me?

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Posted By: dennis

i think the binding hurts the value as with any mag.the cover is a lot of its value. my guess would be not more than $20.00. reach and spalding guides of the same era would sell in good condition $100-$200. now this is just my opinion

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Posted By: Keith O'Leary

Thats what I'm looking for Dennis, opinions, thanks. I thought Oscar Steele may be someone special, but a quick google search didn't show anything promising. I see they issued one in 1910 also. I was hoping to find a picture of the cover too, but didn't.

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Posted By: dennis

imagine how much it would be worth if the name on the front was ty cobb? i never heard the name oscar steele so i was just assuming he bound it and had his name put on it to keep it in nice shape.maybe he is somebody in the bull d. company. seems like a costly thing to do(bind it)

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Posted By: scgaynor

Actually with these early guides, the binding does not hurt the value much, it should still be worth in the $100 area, maybe more.

Scott

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Posted By: barrysloate

I agree with Scott that the binding only decreases the value of the guide a little, maybe 25% less than what it would sell for in its original state. The Bull Durham Guide is a fairly desirable one, issued only for the two-year period 1910-11. I have a set of Spalding Guides from 1905-42. Most are bound two or three to a binding. I actually find this useful, because if I had the same run unbound, over time I'm sure I would do some damage to them. Guides are made for research, so handling a bound volume will protect it longer. If you are just looking to resell it, then it would be worth a bit more in its original state.