Favorite 2015 Pick-Ups (Year in Review)

[Joe_G.]

A couple threads have been resurrected and started that don't catch the essence of our annual "favorite pick-ups of 2015". Feel free to post your favorite pick-ups of the year regardless of whether it was a goal at start of year, an impulse buy, result of scope change, etc. I'll start with some Goodwin & Co. glass plate negatives that Saco River Auction brought to market this past January.

Here are a couple Stump Weidman negatives that were used to issue the 1887 OJs with Detroit and then modified in 1888 to show his team change (New York).

I also acquired a couple of 1888 negatives of Bobby Mathews batting which together show the earliest images I'm aware of the Hillerich bat with a stamp that was previously unknown (the negatives have amazing clarity not captured in following scan):

J F HILLERICH & SON
216 FIRST ST.
LOUISVILLE, KY.

And last, but certainly not least, an N173 brown mount of Sam Thompson courtesy a trade with Jay Miller.

[Leon]

should be some good eye candy in this thread...

[kkkkandp]

Incredibly lucky this year. Among others...

[GregMitch34]

A "News Boy"....Scarce...love the centering, image, color...and was unexpected. The joys of "type" collecting.

http://www.net54baseball.com/attachm...1&d=1450707179

[Howe’s Hunter]

Came home from work one day this spring, and my wife pointed me to a small USPS package on the kitchen counter. "Some card you must have won came in the mail today." At first I don't think she believed me as I told her I hadn't bid on/purchased or tried to trade for any cards. Pretty sure the shocked look on my face when I saw the card and read the accompanying letter let her know for sure I had no idea this was on the way.



An extremely generous gift from a fellow board member and collector who told me this was one I could scratch off the list of known examples that weren't with the rest, and wished me continued success in rebuilding the collection.

This wasn't the first time this person has helped with my collection. Anonymity is very important to this collector, and I respect that and hope posting this hasn't betrayed that confidence, but getting this card is truly my pickup of the year.

Again, thanks to all who have helped with rebuilding Howe's collection.

[h2oya311]

^^

Awesome!

[Jason]

There are some great cards on this thread.

[pcoz]

Thanks Shaun & great cards everyone!

[mrvster]

this is AMAZING!

[itjclarke]

Some amazing cards!! That PSA2 Cobb blows me aways, and Jesse's threesome is awesome. I love these threads.

This Joe D was probably my favorite of the year... with several others tied for 2nd.

[GregMitch34]

Very tough to find this with DiMaggio inserted ...and love the tint...and I wonder if there are any other passing-the-torch Lou/Joe cards.....

http://www.net54baseball.com/attachm...1&d=1450984132

[pokerplyr80]

Originally Posted by Jason

There are some great cards on this thread.

Agreed. I really like the T3 Cobb and Ted Williams RC and have been looking for both myself. That signed Joe Dimaggio is a nice one as well. Too many other great cards to mention. Some very nice pick ups all around.

Thanks to everyone for the kind words on my new editions this year.

[Exhibitman]

[Joe_G.]

Excellent mix of cardboard beauties everyone. I realize I'm posting more than my fair share, but I wanted to follow-up on my previous mention of a Christmas present to myself . . . an oil painting of Charlie Bennett.

I have been thrilled to have Graig Kreindler work his magic on the most beloved Detroit Wolverine, Charlie Bennett. Charlie was one of two players to play every year of the Wolves existence (1881-1888; Ned Hanlon being the other) and the city was proud to have one of the game’s best in Detroit. During his early years, Charlie would lead the team in most offensive categories and throughout his career lead the whole League in defensive categories, recognized as the best defensive catcher of his time. Charlie’s popularity would extend well beyond his playing days when he returned to Detroit after a train accident took both of his legs and cut his career short (January 10th, 1894). When the Western League Detroit Tigers brought baseball back to Detroit in 1896 the new ball park, by popular vote, would be named Bennett Park. The Tigers would graduate from Western League to American League in 1901 and Bennett Park remained their home through the 1911 season when owner Frank Navin built a new larger stadium with his own namesake. Bennett Park would see some outstanding Tiger teams (1907-1909 AL Champs) and Charlie remained a fixture on the Detroit baseball scene, catching the first pitch of every home opener from 1896 through 1926 (excluding 1898 due to sickness). He was often joined by his close friends and old teammates, Sam Thompson and Lady Baldwin. Bennett would pass November 1926.

The 12”x16” oil painting is based on a portrait of Charlie taken by Tomlinson Studio on April 27th, 1886. The painting was put on hold half-finished for the better part of a year as we tried to confirm the proper colors. Everything was painted in high confidence with possible exception to the “DETROIT” lettering which is likely accurate in red for the “away” 1886 uniform Charlie is wearing. Several references were found and documented on Craig Brown’s “Threads of Our Game” site (fantastic resource for early baseball jersey renditions). Here is the entry for the 1886 Detroit uniforms.

The painting is impressive in person; my cell phone camera doesn’t do it justice. I’ve also attached the cabinet photo it is based on.

Thank you Graig Kreindler!

[kdixon]

Wow love the painting Joe.

[Jobu]

Great stuff everyone. I am excited to read this thread every time I check the board. These are probably my two favorites from 2015.

[GregMitch34]

For my third and final pick--my first OJ Cabinet. Love the centering, among other things...It's an SGC 40.http://www.net54baseball.com/attachm...1&d=1451203459

[kkkkandp]

Originally Posted by Joe_G.

The painting is impressive in person; my cell phone camera doesn’t do it justice. I’ve also attached the cabinet photo it is based on.

Thank you Graig Kreindler!

WOW! A truly beautiful piece of commissioned art. No doubt Charlie would be proud that a fan had gone to such extraordinary length to honor his memory!

Well done, Joe and Graig!

[atx840]

Solid year Chuck, love the Cobb & Mantle (beauty for the grade!).