They Don’t Love L.A.

Los Angeles Mayor Richard Riordan and other local officials are hoping to boost the image of Los Angeles through the just-launched “Together, We’re the Best” ad campaign touting such local attractions as the area’s surfing spots and ports.

A just-published reader poll in one national magazine shows some people still need convincing.

Readers of the Robb Report, a magazine aimed at the rich and famous--its slogan is “For the Affluent Lifestyle”--rank Los Angeles as the fifth-worst place to visit.

At the top of the list is Mexico, followed by the Caribbean Islands, New York and Paris.

If it’s any comfort, the poll is inconsistent. Two of the five places readers hate to visit most--the Caribbean and Mexico--also show up among the top five favorite vacation destinations.

Will These Items Be a Hit?

The memorabilia market is about to find out if all of the publicity over baseball great Mickey Mantle’s liver transplant last week will have any effect.

A rare 1952 Topps Mickey Mantle rookie baseball card estimated to be worth as much as $20,000 is scheduled to be sold this August by Los Angeles auctioneer Butterfield & Butterfield.

The card is part of a collection once owned by former Los Angeles Kings owner Bruce McNall, whose bankruptcy trustee has ordered the sale of his collections.

In a separate auction June 24, Superior Stamp and Coin in Beverly Hills will be selling a photo signed by baseball legends Mantle, Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams. It is expected to go for $200 to $300.

Bill Miller, chief executive of Corona-based Odyssey Publications, which tracks the market, says Mantle memorabilia could increase in value by 10% to 15% as a result of the recent incident but that it is unlikely to rise much more because Mantle has been active in the sports autograph business for years.

“He has signed tens of thousands of items. He is loved, but there is so much stuff out there,” Miller said.

Naming Names

Also in the memorabilia field, Autograph Collector magazine is about to release its annual list of the best and worst celebrity name signers, based on the experiences of professional and amateur collectors.

The best list includes actor Tom Hanks, actress Jodie Foster and “Batman Forever” star Val Kilmer, who finished first.

The worst celebrity signers, according to the magazine, include actors Richard Gere, Kevin Costner and Mel Gibson.

Succeeding last year’s winner, former President Gerald Ford, as the worst signer is the artist formerly known as Prince. Under any name, he’s been a tough autograph.

Briefly. . .

Hello Mudda, Hello Fadda: A New York company is marketing a prepaid phone card for kids attending summer camp . . . . Sell it now more than ever: The Richard Nixon Library and Birthplace in Yorba Linda is sponsoring a swap meet-style sale for collectors of political memorabilia.