Posted By:
bruce Dorskind
We have visited the Spalding collection on six separate occasions.
Whilst it has been nearly four years since our last visit, we are confident
that the collection would bring closer to $2.0 million dollars.
There are a number of unique images of pre-1900 HOFs and several
large heretofore uncataloged team photos. At a 1979 dinner meeting with
Sir Edward Wharton Tigar, he mentioned to us that there were several pieces
in the Spalding Collection that neither he or his good friend, Charles Bray,
had ever seen.
There are also 20 + Kalamazoo Bat single player cards.
Unfortunately, in the mid-60's and late 70s a number of items
from the collection were stolen- most were never recovered.
One need only look at the original list of donated pieces and compare
it with the current inventory.
Whilst Spalding's collection is small in size relative to the Burdick collection
at the Met, the breadth and scope of 19th century baseball material
is breathtaking.
In addition to all of the aforementioned factors, pieces with provenance traced
to the Spalding Collection would, no doubt, command a premium.
Bruce Dorskind
America's Toughest Want List