Posted By:
Frank Wakefield1- Get the 2009 Standard Catalog of Baseball Cards, it is the 18th edition. It comes with a dvd that has the Catalog in pdf. This Catalog is a great reference tool.
2- If you're after old cards, you'll want Lew Lipset's Encyclopedia of Baseball Cards. It was issued in three volumes, it was reprinted as one. For prices, it is dated and of little value. For information, it is still great! Mr. Lipset's works cover Fatimas and Zee-Nuts.
3- Burt Sugar published The Sports Collectors Bible. It too is dated. I've just learned there were 4 editions. A 3rd or 4th edition would be best for you, if you're only getting one.
4- If you stay at it, you might consider watching for an affordable copy of The American Card Catalog, by Jefferson Burdick. He gave us the letters and numbers system that many folks use to identify card sets. For looking up a card it is almost worthless. For seeing where a series of cards fits in with what all else is out there, it is great.
Select 4 or 5 cards you're thinking of buying. Search eBay for them, bid very low, and see how the bidding goes on them. After watching a card for some time you'll get a feel for what is a reasonable price.
A fellow named Jim Horne did an interesting work about Zee-Nuts, too. If you can't find one of those after trying a bit, email me.
Finally, watch this board. Skip over the feuding and fussing that we occasionally do, and watch for the good stuff. From time to time there's something quite interesting on this board.
Patience, and perseverance.
Frank W.