1st edition baseball encyclopedia: forseeable value?

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Posted By: Ed

I realize that this 1969 first edition is probably bargain basement right now, but it is a beautiful piece inside the thick cardboard pictorial holder. To the experts: Is this something that may substantially increase in value (beyond my lifetime perhaps, and I'm only 42). Thanks, if anyone cares to respond.

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Probably not in our lifetimes. It's not rare enough. I think I have two or three of the 1969 volumes.

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Posted By: barrysloate

I still have my original one too. It was the only one produced with a slipcase, so that's a plus. But as a collectible, I just don't know.

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Posted By: Joe

This is a very important book in that it's the first MASS MARKET (I know there were others before it) publication to presage the coming revolution in baseball statistics. It is ONLY collectible in its "first edition" form in the fabulous slipcover box. These are actually not all that common, but they do turn up for prices ranging from $20 upwards. Grab it at anything around the lower price. Subsequent editions are essentially worthless to anyone with a computer. Plus they take up a lot of space.

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Posted By: Dylan

Everytime a plank or wagner T206 is sold its brought up that in some price guide in the 1920's (i think) the wagner was listed for $50 the Plank for $10 and everything else for pennies. Does anyone have any info on that priceguide which is supposed to be the first in the hobby? I'd love hear any info and especially see a scan if one exists

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Posted By: Max Weder

The 1969 Baseball Encyclopedia was probably the single biggest reason I became a baseball fan. I found it as a Grade 9 student in the school library. It opened up a world of players who I had never heard of-- Jeff Heath, Vean Gregg and countless other lesser known stars. The details of Ruth, Hornsby and Cobb's stats lines was impressive. I could review all the seasons in detail statistically.

That said, it was published in large numbers, it shows up routinely on ebay and I can't see it becoming a very valuable book. Which of course means exactly the opposite will happen

Max