James Beckett is a statistician, author, editor, and publisher. His publications are well known in the hobby of sports card collecting. Beckett earned a Ph.D. degree in statistics at Southern Methodist University in 1975 and then joined the faculty of Bowling Green State University as an Associate Professor. While at Bowling Green, Beckett began preparing baseball card price guides, which he offered free upon request. Beckett price guides rely upon information from sellers throughout the United States, who supply information on customer interest and sales of products. Price guides typically carry two value labels, one based upon a high value, the other denoting low values. As the condition of collectibles is important in ascertaining their value, Beckett price guides also typically include a series of definitions for estimating condition. In November 1984, Beckett began publishing Beckett Baseball Card Monthly. Rival publication Tuff Stuff was also founded that year. Beckett Baseball Card Monthly grew in popularity and became the basis for the success of Beckett Media, now based in Dallas, Texas. 

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