What is the "ultimate" guide?

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Posted By: davidcycleback

The prices shouldn't be taken at face value, but the Standard Guide gives a good idea about value (relative to other issues) and rarity. It will tell you when issues are rare and when certain cards in an issue are rarer. When a common card is listed at $2,000 you know the cards are rare and expensive. The set bios are short but give the reader a good, objective idea about the issue-- how it was issued, size, etc. The Fro Joy bio gives the history of the issue but also warns the reader to be very careful of all the reprints. Before a beginner considers purchasing a card, he should take a look at what the guide says about the issue- and that the issue is listed as a legitimate issue. Some forgeries on the market are modern concoctions and won't be listed in the book. These forgeries can be avoided simply by referencing the book. The book is the size of a library dictionary, so there are more than enough listed legitimate baseball card issues for a collector to chose from.