April Pickups

[thecatspajamas]

Not sure when I picked this up, but finally got around to doing something with it in April, so here goes:

Original George Burke 8x10 Photo of Charlie Grimm Arguing with the Cubs Mascot

Originally, I had thought this was the batboy or possibly the child of one of the players, but thought he looked familiar somehow, possibly from other Cubs photos I had seen of that period. I asked one of my consignors who is an avid Cubs fan (and who gladly added the photo to his collection) if he recognized the child or knew who he was, and he thought that it was one of the Little Rascals child actors, possibly Chubby Chaney.

Well, he was very close, as a little more research revealed that it was actually Paul Dominick, Chaney's successor in the role of the obese kid in the gang which Dominick played for two years starting in late 1935:

Paul Dominick as Chicago Cubs mascot circa September 23, 1935

A little more digging, and look what else turned up!


From The Ludington Daily News, September 25, 1935

Looking back at the Cubs' record in late 1935, it appears that Dominick joined up as team mascot on or about September 4 of that year (assuming the second photo's caption is correct), and remained with them through the end of the season and likely in the World Series as well. It also seems likely to my mind that Hal Roach may have discovered Dominick as a result of his appearances on the field with the Cubs. Roach is reported to have had difficulty finding the kind of obese kid that could carry on the tradition of Joe Cobb and Chubby Chaney, supposedly due to advancements in medical science which made it extremely rare for children to be that overweight.

Anyway, needless to say, I was thrilled to have made the connection, all the moreso knowing that the new owner will be just as thrilled for the Our Gang connection as the Chicago Cubs one.

Edited to add: If anyone knows how Dominick found his way to the Cubs dugout in the first place, I would be glad to hear that story as well.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

Not sure when I picked this up, but finally got around to doing something with it in April, so here goes:

Original George Burke 8x10 Photo of Charlie Grimm Arguing with the Cubs Mascot

Originally, I had thought this was the batboy or possibly the child of one of the players, but thought he looked familiar somehow, possibly from other Cubs photos I had seen of that period. I asked one of my consignors who is an avid Cubs fan (and who gladly added the photo to his collection) if he recognized the child or knew who he was, and he thought that it was one of the Little Rascals child actors, possibly Chubby Chaney.

Well, he was very close, as a little more research revealed that it was actually Paul Dominick, Chaney's successor in the role of the obese kid in the gang which Dominick played for two years starting in late 1935:

Paul Dominick as Chicago Cubs mascot circa September 23, 1935

A little more digging, and look what else turned up!


From The Ludington Daily News, September 25, 1935

Looking back at the Cubs' record in late 1935, it appears that Dominick joined up as team mascot on or about September 4 of that year (assuming the second photo's caption is correct), and remained with them through the end of the season and likely in the World Series as well. It also seems likely to my mind that Hal Roach may have discovered Dominick as a result of his appearances on the field with the Cubs. Roach is reported to have had difficulty finding the kind of obese kid that could carry on the tradition of Joe Cobb and Chubby Chaney, supposedly due to advancements in medical science which made it extremely rare for children to be that overweight.

Anyway, needless to say, I was thrilled to have made the connection, all the moreso knowing that the new owner will be just as thrilled for the Our Gang connection as the Chicago Cubs one.

Cool post Lance!

[Scott Garner]

Chock this one up to extreme patience as a collector...

An eBay seller first listed this vintage signed Paul Dean 4 x 6 George Brace photo w/ a BIN for $99 over two years ago.

This was a nice fit for my no-hit pitcher signed photo collection, but I wasn't sure I wanted to spend $100 for it. After the seller ran the signed photo through a few 30 day auctions with no bites, I offered him $75 for it which he immediately turned down. A few months later, I tried again, and no-dice once again.

After two consecutive years of running this photo through 24 consecutive 30 day auctions, he finally started an auction at $74.99 with a BIN of $99 about a week ago.

I finally got it for the exact price I offered him.

[thecatspajamas]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Chock this one up to extreme patience as a collector...

An eBay seller first listed this vintage signed Paul Dean 4 x 6 George Brace photo w/ a BIN for $99 over two years ago.

This was a nice fit for my no-hit pitcher signed photo collection, but I wasn't sure I wanted to spend $100 for it. After the seller ran the signed photo through a few 30 day auctions with no bites, I offered him $75 for it which he immediately turned down. A few months later, I tried again, and no-dice once again.

After two consecutive years of running this photo through 24 consecutive 30 day auctions, he finally started an auction at $74.99 with a BIN of $99 about a week ago.

I finally got it for the exact price I offered him.

Wow, that is some seriously-tenacious item-watching. Congrats, and kudos on the self-restraint!

[71buc]

Originally Posted by thecatspajamas

Not sure when I picked this up, but finally got around to doing something with it in April, so here goes:


Originally, I had thought this was the batboy or possibly the child of one of the players, but thought he looked familiar somehow, possibly from other Cubs photos I had seen of that period. I asked one of my consignors who is an avid Cubs fan (and who gladly added the photo to his collection) if he recognized the child or knew who he was, and he thought that it was one of the Little Rascals child actors, possibly Chubby Chaney.

Well, he was very close, as a little more research revealed that it was actually Paul Dominick, Chaney's successor in the role of the obese kid in the gang which Dominick played for two years starting in late 1935:

A little more digging, and look what else turned up!


Looking back at the Cubs' record in late 1935, it appears that Dominick joined up as team mascot on or about September 4 of that year (assuming the second photo's caption is correct), and remained with them through the end of the season and likely in the World Series as well. It also seems likely to my mind that Hal Roach may have discovered Dominick as a result of his appearances on the field with the Cubs. Roach is reported to have had difficulty finding the kind of obese kid that could carry on the tradition of Joe Cobb and Chubby Chaney, supposedly due to advancements in medical science which made it extremely rare for children to be that overweight.

Anyway, needless to say, I was thrilled to have made the connection, all the moreso knowing that the new owner will be just as thrilled for the Our Gang connection as the Chicago Cubs one.

Edited to add: If anyone knows how Dominick found his way to the Cubs dugout in the first place, I would be glad to hear that story as well.

That is a really cool picture and story thanks for sharing.

[slidekellyslide]

1930 Lincoln Links of the Nebraska State League team signed baseball. Best name on the ball is Les Nunamaker. Now the oldest team signed ball in my collection.

[deebro041]

Awesome ball Dan!

[perezfan]

Congats Dan... what a beauty. Condition looks vibrant, and simply incredible for a 1930 Ball. Amazing find!

[ksfarmboy]

Super pickup Dan. It's been some time since you scored a nice Lincoln item. Congrats!

[slidekellyslide]

Thanks guys...And Clint you are right...I was overdue!