October pickups
 

I recently picked up a few unique new items to add to my advanced Johnny Vander Meer collection.

The first two are items that I have wanted to add for a few years since I first learned of their possible existence:

1) An extremely rare 1938 promotional booklet entitled "Souvenir of John Vander Meer's Two No-Hit Games". This booklet was produced by a Cincinnati printing company hoping to ride the popularity of Vandy's unparalleled feat of pitching back-to-back no-hitters in 1938. The booklet includes information about other pitchers that had been previously successful at throwing two no-hitters. Additionally there is play by play coverage and box scores for both no-hitters. I know of only two of these in existence that survived the 77 years since it was first printed. Dimensions are 4" x 6" for anyone that cares.

2) Johnny Vander Meer Schlitz Brewing Co. business card. After spending 30 years in professional baseball (player, coach, manager) Vandy was approached by the Schlitz Brewing Company to act as their representative calling on US military bases throughout the US. I had previously picked up two Schlitz promotional photos of Vander Meer. I thought it would be neat to find one of his business cards as a complimentary piece and I finally found one on eBay. I have included pictures of both of these Schlitz promo photos.

3) Original photo of Vander Meer receiving his plaque when he was inducted into the Cincinnati Reds HOF in 1958.

Great stuff as usual Scott -- I absolutely love the shot of Johnny throwing a slider with that Schlitz can!

I'm guessing that you may have the best (or at least the coolest) single player collection in existence.

Greg

Could you please PM me what that card is in the last photo/scan? Thanks!

That is a 1939 Reds Team Issue.

Tom C

The promotional booklet has an odd error regarding the other pitchers who had thrown at least two major-league no-hitters in their career. It states that two pitchers had thrown three, including Frank Smith; one of Smith's listed no-hitters is indicated as having been pitched for Cleveland of the NL on September 18, 1897.

Smith was not yet in the major leagues in 1897; it was Cy Young who pitched a no-hitter for Cleveland on that date, and Young (not Smith) who had three no-hitters during his career.

Bravo Scott, I look forward to your pick up posts. I don't know what impresses me more, your collection or ability to maintain your focus.

Greg Bird 6th career homerun baseball.

You are correct. To be honest, I did not notice the error when I first looked at it. Thanks for pointing this out.

Thanks Greg, Mike, Gary and Ken.
Greg and Gary, I love the Vandy Schlitz can pitching photo as well. It's a classic! :)

Focusing on the themes that I really love to collect is easier than you think.
Like mostly every collector I'm sure, I attempted to collect too many things, then realized that specializing ends up being more fun...

That photo of Vandy throwing the Schlitz can is perfect - but man I'd hate to have been the camera guy!

Awesome program, Scott!

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Pic 2

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/q...psmlmbbttd.jpg

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Mickey Mantle
 

This thing is huge! Approx 34" x 25" I have no idea where I am going to hang it, it is as large or larger than any piece I currently own. I added a baseball to give it scale

Joey and Bob gr8 pickups October is off to a great start judging by today's posts

Thanks buddy

Joey,
Love the Jackie photo! I don't recall ever seeing it, but it's a beauty.

Hi Nate,

Adrian Beltre, HOF or no HOF?
Every time I watch him, I can't help but think that he's getting pretty close to being a HOF player.
Beltre is a winner, no doubt. He's been an impact player and great teammate everywhere he's played....

Great stuff guys! I sure hope October isn't another zero pickup month for me but I won't be shocked if it is. :(

Johnny VanderMeer
 

Scott, The fun in collecting without a check list is the surprise of the find !!! Wish more collectors could enjoy the feeling. Thanks for sharing your knowledge and passion All the best Steve

Oh yeah, I absolutely do think he is.

I have the privilege of watching him everyday for the past 5 yrs and the guy is clutch. Plays hurt all the time. In 2011-2012 he was basically playing on one leg. This year he's been swinging without a thumb, and now the use of an index finger, yet he refuses to sit. Even on his days off he talks the manager into starting him.

Everyone thinks Chipper Jones is a HoF'er(me too), and Beltre has more hits than Chipper does right now, and will have more HR's when it's all said and done. Beltre was a better defender than Chipper as well. Only thing with Beltre is he hasnt won an MVP. He came in 2nd behind Bonds in 2004.

He'll be a HOF'er when it's all said and done. Mark my words. And anyone who doesn't think so, I will buy your bats. :-)

Thanks Steve, I couldn't agree more! ;)

Thanks alot scott. Dont know if youve seen this one but got it at the same time

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/q...psuiipnwco.png

Another beauty! You gotta love the photos with athletes and kids.
It's such a great combination as far a subject matter goes...

Brooklyn Dodgers Ushers Cap
 

Seems fitting that this should post after such incredible Jackie Robinson photos. I just traded for the Brooklyn Dodgers Ebbets Field ushers cap pictured in the grouping of other artifacts it now joins.

Dave Grob

Great items, Dave. So colorful and reminiscent of times gone by.....

Just got this in the mail!! Love it.

Attachment 206976

Attachment 206977

Even as a die hard Giants fan and card carrying Dodger hater, I have to say "wow!" Great stuff, Dave!

Dave love the hat

Picked up this scrapbook/photo album at a local auction today. It was put together by Bill Davidson (or his wife). It has RPPCs of his days in Sioux City, and photos of him with a buddy both wearing Brooklyn sweaters. There is also a 1913 World Series game 2 ticket stub (one of the greatest WS games of all time).

Also snagged this 1904 issue of Burr McIntosh with all the baseball pull out photos. Got this in a box lot of old magazines for next to nothing because I'm pretty sure I'm the only one who knew it was desirable.

Incredible finds Dan. Dave, fantastic Dodgers collection. Great pickups to all.

Why can't I find these items at my local auctions?!

Great pickup! Congrats!

This scrapbook just got better...Zack Wheat RPPC. Wheat is also in a bunch of photos in his Brooklyn sweater out hunting (or just screwing around in the woods with guns) with Davidson.

Amazing find Dan!

Greg

Glove and photo found this weekend at the Anti-Expo show in Montreal.

Glove pic 2

Photo 3

Scrapbook
 

Great scrapbook find Dan. It is interesting that your book shows a player out hunting while wearing their team sweater. I have parts of an early 1920s scrapbook which shows snapshots of Benny Bengough out hunting whle wearing his big New York Yankees sweater. Those team sweaters must have been pretty warm. I could use one of those big sweaters today. :)

Brent, the glove is one made for handball not baseball

Yeah, I know Jim. Maybe it's for Fives. It has a British label. I love the look of it though.
Thanks for the heads up info.
Cheers!

Fantastic pick ups Dan, Congrats!

I spent the weekend in Lake George, NY, attending the annual "World's Largest Garage Sale" event. The nearby town of Warrensburg fills up with hundreds of vendors, in what turns out to be a large flea market. There is a lot of crap, but a fair amount of antiques and vintage too. If nothing else it makes for a nice Fall weekend in upstate NY (we rented a cabin with friends).

The amount of vintage sports was sparse, but I did pick up these 1920s Spalding smooth-face catcher shin guards. Considerable wear, but well worth the $15.

http://antiquesportscollector.com/SpaldingGuards.html

Attachment 207164

Thanks Joe...would love to go to something called "The World's Largest Garage Sale". I bet that's a fun day.

Bought this bat that Nelson Cruz used to hit his 42nd home run of this season. The previous Seattle record for the 'Safeco Era' was 41. The bat is in the MLB database as a ground-out in the 8th, but I was able to photo-match it to his 1st-inning HR. The Mariners kept the line-up card, but I was able to acquire the one for the day before (September 14), which is the first game that I could photo-match the bat to. Pretty nice display potential.

Exact same bat, you can tell for sure by that little piece of missing paint above the batter logo. Nice score!

Yogi Berra Professional/Personal Model Mask
 

Deviating from pursuit of 19th C. baseball equipment and memorabilia for just a second, I picked up this wonderful mask from a fellow board member.

This Spalding Model #1514 mask is the very model that Yogi himself used for a period of years in the 1950's and can be seen wearing in the images below. The model #1514 mask appears in the 1957 Spalding sporting good catalog, but I am sure it was made from at least 1954.

www.dugouttreasures.com

Brent that glove is amazing. And Dan great acquisition.

Scott, your Vander Meer finds always amaze me. Just when I think there's nothing else to find, you find.

You can see why they called that old catcher's gear "the tools of ignorance." Beautiful pickup, Jonathan!

Thanks Dan - it's good to get some positive reinforcement on purchases every now and then.

And back at you - that Wheat RPPC has got to be worth as much as most of the rest of the scrapbook. Very nice pick-up.

Congrats Dan. Love the Wheat.

1999 NLCS Rickey Henderson game used bat. Signed and came directly from Rickey himself.

Vandy and Benny Borgmann- Interesting bio- take a minute to read!
 

I just picked up this sweet circa 1938 vintage signed photo of Johnny Vander Meer and Basketball HOF'er Benny Borgmann. Vandy and Borgmann both hailed from the same area in NJ and apparently knew each other quite well.

This photo originated from the personal estate of Benny Borgmann who starred in professional basketball and also played for many years as a baseball middle infielder and manager in the minor leagues.

Borgmann was also a pro basketball player and original Celtic, leading the American Basketball League in scoring 4 times (1926-1927, 1928-1929, 1929-1930, 1930-1931). He was elected to the Naismith Hall of Fame in 1961 Borgmann passed away in November, 1978
Here is Borgmann's bio from Baseball Resference for anyone that cares to look.

Bernhard "Benny" Borgmann
Bats Right, Throws Right
Height 5' 8", Weight 170 lb.
Born November 22, 1898 in Haledon, NJ USA
Died November 11, 1978 in Pompton Plains, NJ USA

Infielder Benny Borgmann played and managed in the minors and scouted. He starred in basketball. He hit .304 and scored 1,015 runs as a player.

He was a minor league player from 1928 to 1942. He debuted with the Wilkes-Barre Barons, hitting .308/~.385/.345 and fielded .932 as a shortstop. In 1929, he played for the Pittsfield Hillies and hit .264/~.339/.325. He tied Arlie Pond for third in the Eastern League in stolen bases (27). He fielded .971 when playing third base, second-best in the EL.

In 1930, Benny hit .292 for Pittsfield and .370 for the Harrisburg Senators. Back with Wilkes-Barre in 1931, the 34-year-old hit .263 while playing second base. Borgmann was back at short in 1932 with the Greensboro Patriots. He batted .321 and led the Piedmont League in runs (122 in 123 games) and steals (51).

Borgmann split 1933 between the Columbus Red Birds (.340/~.401/.390, 28 SB in 90 games; third in the American Association in steals) and the Rochester Red Wings (.341/~.420/.409 in 30 games). He stole 35 bases and scored 89 runs while playing in arguably the top two minor leagues of the era.

Borgmann played all of 1934 with Rochester and hit .279/~.325/.358 with 86 runs and 18 steals, playing second base and third base alongside Johnny Mize. In 1935, the veteran became a player-manager for the Huntington Red Birds and hit .307 with 92 runs. The 38-year-old stole 35 bases to lead the Middle Atlantic League.

In 1936, he hit .314, scored 90 runs and swiped 26 bases for Huntington. With the 1937 Portsmouth Red Birds, Benny hit .348, scored 114 runs and stole 22 bases. He guided Portsmouth to the 1938 MAL title, scoring 101 times in 117 runs and hitting .315/~.374/.386.

Borgmann also managed the 1939 Sacramento Solons to a title, but his playing performance fell at age 42, only hitting .231 in 58 games. He did not play in 1940, only managing Sacramento, but was back in the field for 2 games in 1941 (0 for 5 for the Syracuse Chiefs) and for 63 games for the 1942 Allentown Wings (.258).

Overall, Benny played 1,438 games in the minors, collecting 1,671 hits and 1,015 runs while stealing 284 bases. Never a slugger, he only cracked 11 homers. His average was .304.
He managed in the minors from 1935 to 1950. He scouted for the St. Louis Cardinals, Minnesota Twins ( -1968), Seattle Pilots (1969), Milwaukee Brewers (1970-1971), and Oakland A's (1972-1974).

Picked up this Colgans tin and Babe Adams card.

Mookie Wilson 2001 9/11 game worn jersey

Nice jersey Jim!

Mookie jersey
 

That jersey is stellar...
Andy

1964 Sandy Koufax Original Color Photo
 

Picked up a rare color photo taken in Mexico City where the Dodgers played the Mexico City Bulls during a Spring Training weekend in Mexico. Back of photo in Spanish from " La Presna"

Nice Koufax, Phil!

Great koufax!

Sandy Koufax Original Photos
 

Thanks Joey and Scott:
Both of you always have some great items each month to post ! Joey I really enjoyed those Hank Aaron photos you posted recently. Scott your collection is awesome !!!
Phil

Sal "The Barber" Maglie no-hitter celebration photo
 

Another cool October pickup.
Here is a neat original photo of Sal "The Barber" Maglie being carried off the field by youthful HOF'er Don Drysdale and Ray Campanella during the celebration following Maglie's no-hitter in September, 1956.

Sal Maglie Photo
 

Scott this is a terrific photo ! Especially with Drysdale also in photo !!
Phil

Football
 

This weekend's finds...

- Large 1903 football pennant. Sadly, the felt "0" has fallen off over time.
- Cover of the Canadian Illustrated News from 1874 featuring a woodcut of the
famous international match between the Harvard and McGill football teams.

Pic 2

Pic 3

Original 1923 Yankee Stadium Seat
 

Just completed the restoration on this Original Yankee Stadium seat I acquired a couple months back. This was my first time restoring a stadium seat and I am very happy with how it turned out! All wood and screws are original and I also left the screws unpainted so you can see their age. Custom built a home plate to mount it to for added support. Thanks to Al for the advice during this project!

1940 Leo Shrall AAGPBL Coach Trophy
 

Went to the estate of auction Leo Schrall's widow yesterday. Picked up this awesome trophy, Schrall played in the three I league and was the Coach of the Peoria Redwings All American Girls Baseball League.. He was also the long time coach of the Bradley Braves.

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Three interesting images
 

Images related to these can be found on the website in the caption below.

#1. A classic baseball albumen photo from the 1860 era shows a purely Americana scene: the schoolhouse, the watchful gaze of the adults, and children playing. A boy about to pitch a ball to another holding a bat is seen in the center of the photo. Behind them a group of girls joins hands in a circle. To the right of the batter are two boys wrestling. A group of girls adjacent to them plays croquet with a teacher.

#2. This 1908 program honors the boys from the 1878 Boston Red Stockings, "The Men Who Made The Game." Featured on the cover are baseball legend and Hall of Famer Harry Wright along with Jack Burdock, John Morrill, Harry's Hall of Fame brother George Wright, Ezra Sutton, Pop Snyder, Tommy Bond, Harry Schafer, Hall of Famer Jim O'Rourke, Jack Manning, and Andy Leonard. The program was issued for a September 24, 1908 game of "Professionals" that included Albert Spalding, George Wright, Jim O'Rourke and Tommy McCarthy against "Amateurs" that included catchers mask inventor Frederick Thayer and James Tyng, who wore the first mask.

#3. BUT THEY LOST! The 1911 New York Giants news photo proclaiming Hall of Famers Christy Mathewson, John McGraw, Rube Marquard and the rest of the team "World's Champions" is significant because they lost the World Series that year to the Philadelphia Athletics 4 games to 2. "The New York Baseball Team, winners of the National League pennant. This picture is sent [to] you for use should they win the world's championship," reads the typewritten notation on the reverse.

Never post in the memorabilia side, but picked up the On-Deck circle from the final game/season of Tiger Stadium. Probably overpaid, however, I don't know how to even put a value on it.

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...psr7lm15bh.jpg

So.....what do you do with something like that? Cool piece.

I have no idea, i was just going to put it in my man cave, but didn't realize the condition it was in until recently. Thing hasn't seen the light of day in over 15 years.

Antique Boxing Knuckle Mitts
 

Can not see a makers mark (possibly worn off) but look very much like the ones in a 1904 spalding catalogue

I've never seen those before. Cool. Very nice display Ron.

congats
 

<img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/CarltonHendricks081/1894%20Bull%20Durham%20Bx_zps7sgwsfts.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo 1894 Bull Durham Bx_zps7sgwsfts.jpg"/>

<img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/CarltonHendricks080/s-l1600%205_zpsteheajor.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo s-l1600 5_zpsteheajor.jpg"/>

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull_D...ckwell_Company
Picked up this Bull Durham sign the other day...never seen one before...has the printer and date 1894, which is invaluable...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bull_D...ckwell_Company
Bull Durham advertising represents the most expansive, revolutionary advertising campaign of its time. The Blackwell Company spent more money to advertise Bull Durham than any other company on any product. Large advertising campaigns at the time were considered to be extremely risky and fruitless in meriting more sales. Bull Durham ads proved this theory wrong, however, as the various campaigns became some of the most successful of the time and paved the way to modern day advertising.

<img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/CarltonHendricks082/Capture_zpsfvzv2gy0.png" border="0" alt=" photo Capture_zpsfvzv2gy0.png"/>

<img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/CarltonHendricks082/OldBullBuilding_1895_zpsljddwame.jpeg" border="0" alt=" photo OldBullBuilding_1895_zpsljddwame.jpeg"/>

<img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/CarltonHendricks082/bull_zpsr5il1kf9.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo bull_zpsr5il1kf9.jpg"/>

Johnny Vander Meer consecutive no-hit innings streak ends at 21 1/3 innings
 

I recently managed to fill yet another hole in my Vandy collection want list that I have been looking for. I just picked up a neatly scored program and Grandstand ticket to the end of Vandy's consecutive no-hit inning streak in 1938.

After pitching his historic ML record back-to back no-hitters on June 11th and June 15th in 1938, Vander Meer and the Reds continued their road trip and boarded a train to Boston to play the Boston Bee's.

On June 19th, 1938, in the 1st game of a doubleheader, Vander Meer continued his historic no-hit streak. Facing the same team that he faced in his 1st no-hitter, he didn't allow a hit for another 3 1/3 innings until Debs Garms stroked a clean single to finally break it up. Ironically, Debs Garms was held out of Vandy's 1st no-hitter game on June 11th because he was a left handed hitter.

Vander Meer and the Reds prevailed in what was a decidedly lopsided game 14-1 over the Bee's.