June Pickup Thread

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Starting the June thread early - thanks to Andy and Mark Bowers for these photos of Dick Stuart.

1951 Modesto Reds


1952 Billings Mustangs


1952 Billings


And I think this is probably taken during his military service years of either 1953 or 54 -uniform looks semi-pro or military company.

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Posted By: Mike H

Cross over but cool.

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Posted By: Keith

Here are some of my recent pickups.
Picked up this group of circa 1910? oversized pennants at an estate auction: a really large U Penn pennant, a double sided Navy pennant on its original bamboo cane/stick, and a very large Army Pennant.





Second, I picked up a pair of vintage pigskins - 1 being a very nice one with the year '11 on it.



Next I picked up a neat 1909 University of Pennsylvania football themed songsheet. I have an affinity for UPenn items because I went to vet school there, but for some reason, I never keep them, and have bought and sold some pretty neat Penn items over the years.


Lastly I picked up a pair of older baseball caps that both are identical and have '29 on the front. Inside there is a tag on each that reads Sanforized, Large. Do you guys think these could be truly of the 1929 vintage? or a little newer than that?

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Posted By: Joe K.

Keith- Nice pickups - especially like the pigskins. I do not think the caps are 1929 vintage, more likely later in the 1950s.

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Posted By: Keith

Thanks Joe, Both caps have '29 on them (the ' is not that apparent in the photo) so I guess these caps are for class of 29 reunion or something if they are not period.

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Posted By: CarltonHendricks

http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=001&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&viewitem=&item=110252382968&rd=1
Keith, Nice and interesting piece of U of P sheet music, or what ever it is, I've never seen that. When you use the vernacular song sheet, is that another term for sheet music? Nice pennants and ball too. Re: U of P stuff, check out this print in the link above I got outbid on this morning which I bottom fished and got snuffed on....I actually saw this in John Ross' booth at the 06' National, which you can read about in link elow if you scroll down to Ross' stuff: http://www.sportsantiques.com/06natpage4.htm
Would like to see more photos of your collection if you're inclined, as I see more goodies in the background. Often the things in background of photos people post are intriguing. -Best, Carlton

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Carlton, I watched that auction go off on ebay this morning and when that item came up I said to myself "I wonder if Carlton has seen that".

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Posted By: Shawn

I picked these up...

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Posted By: CarltonHendricks

Dan, that's funny, you know my taste. Shawn, that is GREAT! I don't see a score card, or did you just photograph some of the pages? I take it you untied the pages to photograph it? Do you collect the early college stuff? Realy nice piece! Regarding those advertisments remindes me, if anyone has any advertisments for Brine Sporting Goods/football equipment maker (I think they were in New Haven) please email them to me or post, thanks -Carlton

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Posted By: Keith

Carlton,

I made a mistake regarding the sheet music; I don't know why I called it a song sheet, but it is in fact sheet music.
As to the Penn item you referred to, that is a fabulous looking item. I love the look of those turn of the century football prints. I have passed on some in the past, that I wish I hadn't. On a little side note, I think John Ross is a class act dealer, and I have had many transactions with him at the Fort Washington/Reading shows in the past. He always has a treasure trove of football items to gawk at.

Edited: I removed the photos of my collection to decrease the congestion on this thread - The are up on Joe's Collectors Showcase page now anyway

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Posted By: MikePugeda

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Posted By: Shawn

Carlton,

What you see is what I have got, as far as these advertisements go. The scans are of the front and back of each one. What I figured is that these were hand-outs and someone punched holes in them later on. Let me know if you think otherwise. I do collect early college baseball.

Shawn

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Shawn, you have the front and back covers to an early scorecard/program. The inside pages are missing. The holes were punched in them because the scorecard was held together with string or ribbon.

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Posted By: Shawn

Thanks Dan,

With the stuff missing from the booklet, is there any value?

Shawn

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

I don't know what the value would be, but there is definitely display value in what you have.

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Posted By: Dennis W.

Keith - I believe those hats are probably American Legion baseball hats - Post 29.

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Posted By: Brock G.

Got this today. Life size Lou Gehrig bust.

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Posted By: Mark

Brock.... Awesome!

Are there any markings on the Gehrig Bust? Do you think it's a one-of-a-kind, or a "produced" item? I have never seen another like it... must be big (and very impressive) in person. Thanks for posting!

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Posted By: Brock G.

Mark,
The Halper auction featured three life size busts like this. There was a Cobb, Connie Mack, and Lou Gehrig. They were made by "Humberto". The one I have is not marked anywhere but it looks like it was made by the same company or at least from the same mold as the Gehrig in the Halper Auction. Thats about all I know about it.
The one I have is hollow in the center and not a solid statue. I'm guessing the ones in the Halper auction were heavy, solid statues (they sold for big $). My best guess is that the three Halper statues were one of a kind and what I have is a replica or reproduction of those statues.

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Posted By: Mark

Thanks Brock...

This is bugging me now. I recall seeing a very similar Bust in a Mastro Auction about 7-8 years ago. It was hollow, and had some damage to one of the bottom corners.

I want to say it was a babe Ruth Bust... same size, same structure as your Gehrig. I do remember it selling for well over $2,000.00, despite the compromised condition. I bet it was from the same "maker" as yours...

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Posted By: brock

Lou Piniella game used bat from the 1974 season. Bat may have been used in the 1977 world series. Bat shows so much use, used during BP also.

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Posted By: Mark

Brock G.... cover your eyes!

Neat/large piece, now 102 years old. The reverse is simply 3 ancient planks of wood, covered with an ornate stamped copper foil covering. The thick glass mirror appears to be the original, with rather crude bevels along the edges. This served as a combination mirror/coat hanger.

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Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

A couple of you fellows really have a love affair with oddball items, don't you? I guess the opportunity to find unique pieces multiplies in this category of collecting.

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Posted By: Mark

Jodi... Of course the answer to that is YES. But wouldn't many people also consider some of the vintage "journeyman" autographs in your collection to be "oddball" as well?

I guess it depends largely on your personal perspective, but I have never even heard of many of the players who's autographs you collect/sell. I do still enjoy the ongoing education!

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Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

I meant no offense in using the word "oddball". It's just a suitable adjective for certain types of items that you don't see every day.

No, most collectors don't know/care about non-HOF players. I collect them because I get nauseated hearing about Ruth, Gehrig, Mantle and the like. Enough already! I'll sell them to help make my way in this world, but have never purchased any of them for my own collection. There are so many non-HOFers with equally interesting (sometimes better!) life stories than the aforementioned men. I really love doing the digging to find out what those stories are. Sometimes finding willing storytellers regarding certain players can be like pulling teeth, whereas people make up complete lies just to try to have their name associated with a guy like Ruth. I guess I really like the "unexplored territory" aspect of player biographical research. Once in a while you will find the most shocking bit of important baseball trivia while researching the most obscure player! Hope I have explained myself sufficiently.

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

I agree 100% Jodi and that is why I prefer to collect minor league memorabilia and to chase down the stories associated with those players who didn't have hall of fame careers. The stories of Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio have all been told a hundred times. Now I completely understand those who focus on the big players mentioned above - this is definitely a "to each their own" hobby, but I just can't get excited about "The Big Bam" after I've already read Robert Creamer's bio of Ruth.

FWIW I enjoy the "oddball" collections of the memorabilia collectors on this side and the pickup thread is always my favorite.

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Posted By: Brock G.

What an amazing piece of memorabilia Mark. It was a tough pill for me to swallow but I think I've gotten over it by now.
As far as form and functionality goes, that is creme de la creme! Museum quality for sure. Congratulations again.

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Posted By: CarltonHendricks

Mark, great pick-up, way to go! Those don't come up too often. Actually I've not seen all that many in 20 years. The last one I recall was at a National I think a zillion years ago. John Buonaguidi had it and moved it at the show....to....maybe Bussineau, who knows it's been so long. That one sure is in nice condition, couldn't ask for better. Again CONGRATS!!!

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

It is a great item...I've seen I think only 4-5 of them in about 10 years. Board member Max Weder also owns one.

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Posted By: Mark

Thanks Dan and All...

Max...

If you see this, would you mind posting a picture of yours? I would be really interested to see if there are any subtle differences (especially with regard to the mirror portion). I have only seen one other, and if memory serves, the mirror was somehow different. Thanks!

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Posted By: Ben

I mainly collect cards but really liked the graphics on this game. Copyright date is 1912. It is complete (except for the paper schedule). One question though - the box top is starting to separate on one side. Should I tape this to prevent it from completely separating or leave as is?

Thanks,
Ben

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Posted By: Joe K.

Here is a link to a thread that Max posted a couple years ago with a picture of his mirror.

http://www.network54.com/Forum/153652/message/1156470972/Re-+The+Hitless+Wonders+-+White+Sox+1906


Edited: Mark here are two other sales I've found, which you may have come across already.

Hunt - 2004
http://www.huntauctions.com/online/imageviewer.cfm?auction_num=18&lot_num=764&lot_qual=

Mastro - 2005
http://www.mastronet.com/index.cfm?action=DisplayContent&ContentName=Lot%20Information&LotIndex=54242&CurrentRow=1

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Posted By: Mark

Thanks so much Joe... that's a big help!

After looking closely, I guess the mirror portions are basically the same on all 3 examples (Max's, Mine and Hunt's). The Mastro example that you linked from 2005 is actually the same one that I just acquired (someone must have re-consigned it).

The only other one I've seen was at the National, about 5 years ago. It may have been the same one you referenced in Hunt's.

A final question... I know how to reference past lots from Lelands and Hunts... but where does Mastro archive their closed items? I can never find any past items/links of theirs, once the new auction starts.

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Posted By: CarltonHendricks

Ben, I wouldn't put any tape on that game. It might cost you a little but paper restorers can restore games like that. If you do some research you could find one. But putting tape on it would be a no-no. Years down the road it starts turning dark, and it devalues it with game collectors.

3 15/16" wide x 2 3/8" deep x 3/4" tall
Here's my recent $39.77 eBay pickup. I'm not a big photo collector (no rocks please) but once in a while I see something that snags me. I don't see any helmets, but I think I see a strap around at least one head which could be either a head harness or nose guard strap, the first evolution of the helmet. That would place it in the 90's I speculate. I think that's Jim Thorpe 7th in from the left . The ropes along the sideline look classic early football. And all the formal wear in the crowd suggest it's a major college game....probably somewhere in New Jersey or the eastern seaboard. Seller was from Cochecton, New York. I don't recall ever seeing another football paperweight for some reason, though there must be others. The only other glass paperweight I have is one for the Pope Bicycle company.

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Posted By: Ben

Carlton,
I see you suggest I leave it as is. I definitely do not wish to tape it but what can I do to prevent the side piece from falling off?

On a different note - just got this off eBay a few days ago...

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Posted By: CarltonHendricks

Ben, Well, short of having a professional restore it, I suppose you could find some conservation quality wheat paste with some conservation quality thick paper and do your own minor restoration, basically make some tape and tape it from the inside...or learn restoration and maybe do the whole thing and then start your own game restoration biz... or just use some low tack removable tape from an art supply store and let the next guy worry about it!!!! Nice tin type, like the ball in his hand

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Posted By: Bert Wright

Don't get out an beat the bushes much these days but did find these in small town antique store in Colorado over weekend. I put them on ebay along with many other things.

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Posted By: Bert Wright

I picked this up awhile ago on ebay but am just now getting around to posting pics. Awesome uniform circa 1905 from Farnam, Nebraska near where I live. Full size although I feared it might be small due to "Jr". No maker label.

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Posted By: Joe K.

Awesome Uniform Bert!!! Now that see these pics, I should have bid more.

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Posted By: Anonymous

Ditto... great acquisition! I love that high collar, the quilted pants, and that unique belt. Condition looks pretty great as well. Thanks for posting!

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Great uniform Bert!

I haven't been picking up too many items as of late, but I did pick up a game used bat from Jim Koranda from his playing days with the Omaha Dodgers.



I also picked up a ticket booklet from the Nebraska Independent League



And I lucked out and picked up an autograph lot very cheap recently with a Kenesaw Landis TLS along with some Christmas cards signed by Waite Hoyt.

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Posted By: Joe K.

Ebay pickup. Wilson trophy. 16" Tall. Baseball says "Wilson Official League". Polished up brilliantly with some silver wipes and a little elbow grease. Has a couple dings but I don't feel it detracts much from it - displays great. I mentioned this before, I think, but these Carbona Silver Wipes do an amazing job of cleaning and polishing. Trophy looks brand new compared to all the tarnish that was on it before.



-Joe
http://www.geocities.com/vintagesportscollector/

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Posted By: Mike H

Found these today.

The Bum is in perfect condition.
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Posted By: Mark

Gorgeous Trophy, Joe! I was watching that one on Ebay, and can't believe it's the same one. You really did a nice job, sprucing it up... Great pickup!