October pickups
 

I didn't see a October thread so I will start one.:)

Got home today to find this Wade Boggs store model waiting for me.:D

Here is a before and after cleaning picture. The difference is way more noticeable in hand.

Awesome bat!

Staying with the Boggs theme, here is my latest pickup.

While I usually stick with bats, this one intrigued me.

It looks like an '83 Boggs game worn jersey, but MEARS noted that the tags were incorrect for the year. So they offered it as a style jersey only. I always wanted a Boggs jersey on the wall, so I went for it.

But you know me, I am always researching to see if there is more to the story (if you don't know that, feel free to read my Mickey Mantle jersey shenanigans thread, which might just be right!).

However, to me, it looks like an older shell, like maybe '80 or '81. The second top button is low, so I know it is pre-'84, but is it a really a fantasy piece? The "T" in "BOSTON" also crosses the center stitch, so I think that might be a clue.

I found quite a few examples of Sox gamers from the same time period with the same tagging type. Basically, they look like they were recycled from previous years or something, but some have impeccable provenance (two were graded A10).

I also found an auction that referenced Yaz having a bunch of his away jerseys stolen in '83, and the team had to scramble to find him more.

I am no seamstress, but there do not appear to be any alterations to the numbers, buttons, etc. Under the black light, you can see that the jersey has dirt spattering all over it.

Anyway, I have something to keep me occupied for a while, and who knows? Maybe someday I can prove it is more than just a faker.

Got this in from Heritage this week:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...d17e1140_w.jpg

New Vandy pickup
 

Attachment 421767I recently was able to pickup this circa 1939 Johnny Vander Meer JDM model glove that I didn't own previously.
This JDM model glove matches up with my Vandy glove box that I picked up a few years ago.

BTW, I'm still looking for a nice example of the Goldsmith Vander Meer VDM model glove from the same era if anyone has one that they're willing to part with.
Preferably a VDM for a left-handed thrower.

Picked this up for a Casey At The Bat display in the memorabilia room. A little rough but has better eye appeal in person.

federal league
 

A few federal league items i picked up recently to add to my collection.

Picked up this unique Luis Aparicio fantasy piece. It’s solid wood and weighs 20+ pounds, over 3 ft long. Only info I found online led me to someone on Instagram who acquired a similar piece but with the stencils/bat/frame styles slightly different.

He didn’t speak much English over IG messenger but said his came from UNO Pizzeria headquarters, which makes sense since their HQ is here in Massachusetts and UNO’s is a Chicago themed chain. So I’m guessing this was made for a couple older UNO’s restaurants and then eventually stored and given away/sold at some point...

Anyone else see one of these before?

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About 20 years ago I saw a sign done in the same exact style as yours only it depicted Bob Feller and was in red and blue. I saw it at a show in Chicago, and the seller was selling it as a fantasy piece. He said he bought it in a Paul Fusco auction, and it was described as being vintage and not a fantasy piece. The seller didn't find out until after the fact and just wanted to get rid of it. It was a nicely done sign but just did not fit my collection.

Happy to add a 1974 Phil Niekro GU bat to the collection. Also picked up a nice Krens Special bat Model 113 CW.

I consider this one memorable, although I think some people put it under cards.

Just put it in the mat and frame today.https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/202...9af833dabb.jpg

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That looks fantastic. I like the frame. Where'd you find the frame? Congrats on the Wheaties. I have the portrait, I'd love to get the action shot one day.

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Thanks. Frame was an ebay find.
Gehrig was a net54 connection pick up.

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Circumstances have kind of slowed me down of late so please forgive the fact that I am posting acquisitions from the past couple of months. Pretty eclectic grouping of items, but satisfying...

Here are some earlier bats we've picked up and not yet posted...

and a few later model bats...

Amazing bats Jonathan, thanks for posting them.

Those are awesome!

Nice, Jonathan. I hope the Popovich family is doing well.

Whitehead and Hoag pin from 1897 featuring the Buffalo BBC.

Gary, very nice as usual, but that is almost modern for you.

The pin was in a small local auction. I can't help myself from bidding when something baseball comes up close to home, Bruce. Plus the condition is stellar.

Trophy
 

Victory League Trophy

HR Baker Decal Bat
 

A very special pick up for me this month. A very nice Frank Baker decal bat that I was able to obtain from the collection of a recently deceased hobbyist who was a long time friend and collecting buddy who I was able to attend over a dozen National Conventions with.

https://hosting.photobucket.com/imag...080&fit=bounds


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Jeff,
That's an unbelievable decal bat.
I'm sorry to hear of the passing of your good friend.

congrats
 

While I don't yet know anything about the WBBC, I do suspect that they were a team in NYC/Brooklyn area during or after the Civil War. My suspicions stem from what I know to this point about the individual reflected in the CDV (and yes, it is a standard CDV).

The subject all decked out in his fancy baseball uniform and shown with bats and the WBBC team banner is identified as Claes H. Forsgard...this is the name written in pencil on the back of the CDV.

This info alone doesn't lead me to my assertion, and the hypothesis and future research is only possible because of two additional CDV's I acquired along with the baseball one...

The second image...an absolutely magnificent study...is of Claes H. Forsgard in his Civil War uniform (again, name is written in pencil on the reverse). He is depicted wearing the uniform of a Zouave Unit, and because the image was taken by a NY photographer, I have to believe that he was mustered into one of the several NY Zouave Regiments of the time. I can tell from a close inspection that his cap does have an "N Y" on it, and that he was a 2nd Lieutenant in the infantry. We also know from the tax stamp that the image cannot pre-date 1864 or post-date 1866.

The third image I have is that of Claes' brother...a G.A. Forsgard. Gustav Augustus Forsgard was a prominent Texan and served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He became a well known and prosperous merchant after the war and, as a result, there is much written and recorded about him. Part of his history includes the fact that he came from Sweden in 1848 and led the way for four of his brothers to eventually do the same. Its noted that all but one brother ended up in Texas (Houston and Waco area). The lone brother, not specifically named in the history, was said to have taken up residence in New York.

From the images I have of Claes in both his baseball and Civil War uniforms, its clear that he was the brother who ended up in New York...playing baseball and serving in the Union Army.

So, back to the original question...

I am very much interested in finding out more about the WBBC and where/when they played. Given Claes' dress and related material in the image, the WBBC was clearly not a 2nd class club. I hope to find something on them before too long and, when I do, I'll be sure to post it.

Thanks for the interest.

Jonathan
www.dugouttreasures.com

Picked up this Yankee Stadium sign. River Ave and 161st is written on the back in pencil.

His family name was Samuelson. He was born in Forserum, Sweden. His brother Gustav August was the first to move to the U.S. He emigrated in 1848 to Texas with a group of other Swedes. Texas had a strong Swedish community. Gustav changed his name to Forsgard combining the name of his home town and gard the Swedish word for home. He spent a year farming at the Swenson Farm in Fort Bend County. He then moved to Houston where he worked as a mercantile clerk. He became a member of the informal Swedish immigration agency run by Swante Mangus Swenson and Sir Swante Palm. He served in the Confederate Army during the Civil War. He was a member of the 35th Texas Cavalry and in the infantry where he was in charge of building defenses around Galveston.

Four of his brothers, Samuel Johan, Carl Oscar, Johannes Wilhelm and Claes Henning also emigrated to the U.S. and adopted the name Forsgard. Claes was the only one not to settle in Texas. Two of the brothers Johannes and Samuel fought for the Confederacy. Samuel in the 1st Texas Partisan Rangers (30th Regt. Texas Cavalry) and Johannes as John W. in the 3rd Battalion, Texas Volunteers. The only person with a name close to Claes Forsgard who served in the Civil War was Claus Fosgard who served in the 132nd Illinois Infantry, a 100 day unit that mustered in June 1, 1864 and mustered out October 1, 1864.

It may be only marginally baseball related, I thought it was pretty cool when I found it.

That's VERY cool. What year is it from?

Thanks. I think it's from 1978. I still trying to convince my family to play it with me.

I nearly picked up a Harmon Killebrew Power Stride Batting Trainer boxed/like new in the same auction but I got distracted at the wrong moment.

Anything with a field and players and a bat is related to baseball enough for somebody like me.

Very cool item.

JR Richard ML debut ticket stub and Lena Pontier scoresheet
 

Happy Halloween to all!
Thanks to net54 board member Dewey St. Germaine I was able to add a ticket stub that I have been looking for for quite a while.

In the 2nd Game of a DH on September 5, 1971 Astros rookie JR Richard made his ML debut at SF.
What a debut it was! 6'8" JR Richard struck out 15 batters (tied Karl Spooner for most K's in a debut) and got his 1st win.
I was able to pair this up with Giants super fan Lena Pontier's scorebook from 1971 that documented Richard's debut game. Lena Pontier was the SF Giant's 1st season ticket holder when the Giants moved to SF in 1958.
Her scorebooks are the most detailed that I have ever seen. Take a look...

In 1998 I had the opportunity to attend a Fleer promotional event in Los Angeles that featured HOF Dave Winfield, who as many of you know was no small guy himself.
I asked Winfield who was the most intimidating pitcher that he ever faced and he said without question it was JR Richard. He said he was intimidated (scared) every time he faced him. Big guy, threw super hard and was conveniently wild. Nolan Ryan was the other pitcher that Winfield was intimidated by, BTW.

JR Richard was a super-talented pitcher and was destined for greatness before a massive stroke sadly ended his career in the early 1980's. A perennial All Star, Richard struck out over 300 batters in two seasons while pitching for the Astros.

Very sad how JR’s career ended. :(