Ask Babe Waxpak: Fight ticket is a knockout

Dear Babe:

I found this ticket (photocopy enclosed) from an 1892 fight between John L. Sullivan and James J. Corbett in my grandfather’s album.

Paula Jones, Independence, Mo.

That Sullivan-Corbett fight Sept. 7, 1892, is one of the most significant in history. It’s no surprise that tickets for the fight have been reprinted over the years. Brian Marren, vice president of acquisitions for www.MastroAuctions.com auctions in Chicago, and Mike Heffner, president of www.lelands.com auction house, both said your ticket was a reprint with little value. An original ticket from that fight would be worth $2,000-$3,000. The 178-pound Corbett KO’d Sullivan (212) in the 21st round in the first heavyweight title fight in which the fighters wore gloves. New Orleans had legalized boxing in 1890. Fights were on the up and up if they were fought under Queensberry Rules. That meant fighters wore gloves, fought for three-minute rounds and were given a one-minute rest between the rounds. The 10-count for a knockout was also part of the equation.

Dear Babe:

I have the 1996 Varsity pin that shows five onion rings in a configuration that resembled the Olympic logo.

Tracie Anderson, Canton, Ga.

This is one of the few pins from 1996 that has value. “During the 1996 Olympics in Atlanta, this pin was issued by Varsity (drive-in restaurant) at it’s North Avenue Location for $5,” said Dean Zindler of Zindler’s Sports Collectibles in Norcross, Ga. “The ACOG viewed the pin as a trademark infringement and issued a cease and desist order since they felt the five-ring logo was exclusive property of the US Olympic Committee. There was some gray area as the Varsity’s onion rings were not interlocking like the Olympic logo, but in the end, Varsity stopped issuing the pins. It is estimated only a couple of thousand pins were ever produced making it a rare piece for Olympic pin collectors. The value can greatly fluctuate with this pin and can bring between $250 and $350. This pin has been counterfeited and reissued over the years so be very cautious when purchasing this item.”

Dear Babe:

I have a Spalding WFL football — the only official ball of the WFL. It has a signature emblem of the commissioner, Gary L. Davidson.

Steve Mullen, Wilmington, N.C.

“The football is around $250. While scarce, (they are) not as widely collected as NFL footballs,” Heffner said.

Dear Babe:

I have a ball signed by Hank Aaron that he gave to my father in the late 1970s. It says “To Louis, Best Wishes, Hank Aaron.”

A. Cohen, Atlanta

Barry Bonds’ assault on the all-time home run record has sparked renewed interest in Aaron’s memorabilia. “Steiner has or had an exclusive contract with Hank to have him sign and distribute his autographs,” said Bobby Mintz, vice president of operations for Houston-based www.TristarProductions.com. “They offer his ball for $325-$350 on their Web site. That’s probably a good value for authenticated baseballs. However, your baseball has a personalized signature, which will knock the value down. “Personalizations certainly detract from any ball’s value,” Mintz said. He noted that the drop is less for big stars such as Aaron than for average players.

Dear Babe:

I have a ball signed by the entire 1977 Reds team. Granted it’s not the ‘75 or ‘76 teams that won the Series, but it does have a number of Hall of Famers and it was the year George Foster hit 52 home runs and won the MVP award.

Chris Rucker, Sun City

As you noted, while it has many of the same players, it’s not a ball from one of the title teams. “These don’t sell that well,” said Mike Gutierrez, consignment director for www.HeritageAuctions.com in Dallas. He put the ball in the $150-$250 range.

If you have a question for Babe Waxpak, include your full name and hometown, the card number, year and manufacturer or send a photocopy. Please do not send cards. The address is: Babe Waxpak, Box 1148, Anderson CA 96007 or e-mail waxpak@andersonvalleypost.com.