Value of old sports newspapers?

[HistoricNewspapers]

The value of newspapers from that era are heavily influenced by, the Event, the eye appeal(namely headline/pictures), and if it is printed from the town of the event. It is very important that it is on the front page from that era.

They are not as valuable as Revolutionary War era newspapers like a newspaper reporting the battle of Lexington and Concord, or the key Civil War papers like a first report of Lincoln's assassination, but they do have value.

For instance, on Ebay, I sold a NY paper that had a huge "Babe Ruth is Dead" headline and a huge close up of his face on the front page, for $400. Private sales have realized prices a little higher.

There is a NY paper with a huge drawing of a 'bum' after the Dodgers won the world series, and that paper sold for $900+ a couple of times.

THe Honolulu Star Bulletin with the first report of Pearl Harbor has sold between $1,300-$2,300 in auction.

The famous "Dewey defeats Truman" paper sells for $1,200+.

Those are examples of the best of the best from that era. If you have stuff like that, great.

By comparison, if you have a Pearl Harbor paper that isn't from Hawaii, it may sell for $100+ if it has a really good headline, and if you do a good job of listing it.

I will add that there can be large price variability when selling them. Sometimes they go much higher than expected, if they look really good.

Nothing really compares to the papers from the Rev War era. They are very rare, and the topics are very historic.

[scooter729]

I love old newspapers with great headlines; here are a couple of my favorites - a 1916 Boston Globe announcing the Red Sox as World Champs, and a 1912 Boston Globe the day after the Titanic sank.

[Oldtix]

Beautiful Boston papers, sir! Building on your theme, here are a couple of boxing newspapers that exemplify the eye appeal that creates value...the 1928 Jack Dempsey-Gene Tunney fight and the 1910 Jack Johnson-James Jeffries "Great White Hope" fight. Newspapers after the Johnson fight covered rioting and arson when attempts were made to show motion pictures of the fight.

[jacksons]

This one sold at REA several years ago for a large sum

[Kawika]

Hey Scott Scooter: Great Boston newspapers! The "Mascot of the Red Sox" appears to be the same kid in the Laughing Red Sox team picture (please excuse the squirrel). Does the article identify him or say anything more about him? Just curious.

[scooter729]

Interesting question, David. The paper identifies him as "Red" Glennon. A quick Google search found this from a February 1915 Boston Globe article about him:
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Thousands of Red Sox fans will be interested in the announcement that William Joseph Glennon, the 13-year-old youngster with the deep-red hair, who was seen on the diamond every afternoon that the Boston team played in Boston last season, has been "signed" as a member of the team for the coming year in the capacity of mascot.

He is known as "Red" by his playmates, but this name has not the approval of his mother, who is naturally proud of the signal distinction of her son, coming as it does direct from Pres Lannin. The new mascot is left-handed, and she says "Lefty" is much better; so "Lefty" Glennon his name will henceforth be to Boston baseball enthusiasts.

"Lefty" Glennon is a freshman at Boston College High School; he is a bright student and well liked. He was "graduated" into the major league from a local team, the Red Sox of Jamaica Plain, an organization fostered by one of the curates of the St Thomas parish, in which he lives at 16 St Rose st.

On this team, which claimed the 12-13-year-old championship of Greater Boston, he played in centerfield and played it well, according to the fans of the neighborhood. These same experts figure also that the rise of the Red Sox near the end of the season last year was due to the daily attendance of young "Lefty."

Pres Lannin's letter notifying "Lefty" of his appointment states the hope that the team will play its way to success the coming season as a result of its mascot.

[Kawika]

Thanks, Scott. I wonder what became of old Lefty. Couldn't find much if anything via Google although there are a couple of William Joseph Glennons of later generations that might be descendants. But, wow, what kid wouldn't be in hog heaven hanging around the Red Sox in 1915?