February Pickup Thread-

[perezfan]

Jon...
I bet it's the same one you had. The key has a little number 62 at the top of one side, if that rings a bell. Also, the slight rust at the tip of the hasp looks identical. I can't imagine how few others might have survived along with the key (so I'm thinking that yours somehow made its way to me...)

Carlton...
It hasn't arrived yet (hope I didn't jinx it by posting prematurely) but I think the description said it's 4.25" tall by a little over 2" wide. Nice sized lock, if those dimensions are accurate.

Also, it's cool to see the Lighter Display in your collection. That's quite an impressive shelf you have there! Do you have a story (or any background info) on that Batter/Ashtray just in front of the Lighters? That's a beautiful piece, and the Batter portion looks nearly identical to a Figural piece I recently sold to our friend, Mike H. (but his resides on a circular black base). I had never seen another until seeing your photo.

All...
Thanks for the nice comments on the Anson Lock. I was fortunate to get it but did not "Pull a BrocK" (meaning steal it, for those new to this Forum). A complimentary reference to the enterprising collector who started this thread! Hard to know what it's worth, with so few others to compare it to. Though it was pricey, I don't think another will surface for some time. Definitely one of those things I would have kicked myself later, had I not gone after it. Now that I've said that, a whole hoard of 'em will probably turn up somewhere!

[mzm55]

According to an older post by Mark Macrae, these Anson locks are fantasy pieces and were created within the last two years by Charles Mandel. I cannot confirm nor deny this fact; you may want to email him and see if he can't expand on his earlier comment.

[cincicards]

I've seen two on EBay over the last year.

[perezfan]

Thanks MZM55... I have emailed Mark Macrae for clarification. I'll post what he says if he replies, and does not post anything here himself.

So the 2 confirmed examples include the one everyone saw on Ebay last June (without the key), and this one (which I believe is the same as Jon's).

Have there been any others sighted? If this is really a "fantasy piece", why would there not be more than 2 out there? A padlock of this type had to be extremely expensive to cast and produce, and you'd think that more would surface if this was a recent production. A Google search also revealed only those two. It seems neither logical nor profitable for whoever would have taken the time and expense to create these.

Eager to hear what Mark M. says, as I will pursue a refund if he has definitive/damning information... thanks!

[canjond]

Mark,

To further your point, I'm not 100% sure ours are/were the same. The back of mine was distinctly different than the one you posted in the scan. If you look at the "bigger" mark on the bottom center, you will see yours has a distinctive scratch to the left of it. Also, to the right of that mark, your line seems to be missing or worn away. Both of those marks do not appear on the back scan I retained of the one I had.

[cincicards]

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[perezfan]

Jon... You're right... ours are definitely different.

Unfortunately, Mark Macrae is on an extended vacation (without a cell phone). So we won't hear from Mark for a while. I did email Charles Mandel (Helmar Brewing) directly, and am hoping for a response. I still find it hard to believe that these were recently made, and hopefully will get an answer soon.

When I called for Mark, his associate answered, and said she had seen Helmar padlocks of assorted early players. But they did not seem to fit this description at all, the way she described them. So I don't know if this is part of that modern assortment or not. Anyone with more info... feel free to chime in!

[CarltonHendricks]

Originally Posted by perezfan

Jon...
I bet it's the same one you had. The key has a little number 62 at the top of one side, if that rings a bell. Also, the slight rust at the tip of the hasp looks identical. I can't imagine how few others might have survived along with the key (so I'm thinking that yours somehow made its way to me...)

Carlton...
It hasn't arrived yet (hope I didn't jinx it by posting prematurely) but I think the description said it's 4.25" tall by a little over 2" wide. Nice sized lock, if those dimensions are accurate.

Also, it's cool to see the Lighter Display in your collection. That's quite an impressive shelf you have there! Do you have a story (or any background info) on that Batter/Ashtray just in front of the Lighters? That's a beautiful piece, and the Batter portion looks nearly identical to a Figural piece I recently sold to our friend, Mike H. (but his resides on a circular black base). I had never seen another until seeing your photo.

All...
Thanks for the nice comments on the Anson Lock. I was fortunate to get it but did not "Pull a BrocK" (meaning steal it, for those new to this Forum). A complimentary reference to the enterprising collector who started this thread! Hard to know what it's worth, with so few others to compare it to. Though it was pricey, I don't think another will surface for some time. Definitely one of those things I would have kicked myself later, had I not gone after it. Now that I've said that, a whole hoard of 'em will probably turn up somewhere!

Mark, Sorry to hear about the lock...though it was intriguing as the story unfolded. Who needs a COA, just put stuff on Net54!!

I got the ashtray with the batter at one of the Nationals way back...pretty sure it was the 1995 in St Louis....Pretty sure I got it from Bob McCann....As I recall McCann was setting up and it was the usual shark swarm as he was pulling stuff out...As I walked up a lot of people were grabbing bats and so on...and I saw I think either Dave Bushing or Dan Knoll holding it....I said to Dan I believe it was...that it was one of the best figural baseball ash trays extant....I think they sort of knew it was my thing...This was back when Dan and Dave had their "Best of Yester Year" concern or some name...anyway...Dan looked at Dave and Dave sort of gave him the nod...and Dan just handed it over to me and said here ya go....just a nice gesture from them...I think I gave $350.00 for it and as I recall, Bob was a little reluctant to sell it for that, as Dan had told me it was $350.00..but I think it was a courtesy price intended only for Dan and Dave....what ever it was I got it for their courtesy price...That was an interesting National....I even remember some large drama that went down in our booth between two dealers...one of pretty high profile...Then John Buonaguidi, who I shared the booth with, sold a pair of the baseball andirons at that show to a very advanced baseball only collector who was also set up there....He later put them in a non sport auction and they went thru the roof. So much so that the price was noted with amazement in the Antiques and the Arts Weekly...

Yeah the ashtray like I say is one the best of it's genera...made by Derby Silver...Derby did some great stuff....I think I recall another example on eBay a while back, but I think that's the only two I've seen...

[perezfan]

Thanks Carlton... somehow I knew there would be a great story behind that piece! It's a truly beautiful figural... but did I tell you I saw a number of these posted on Helmar's website? Haha... of all people, I bet the "repro bug" has never bitten you!

[sayhey24]

Mark I'm with you -- I bought Jon's lock here on the BST a few months ago thinking it was an incredible piece ( I feel a little better that you and Jon and apparently many others thought the same). The only red flag that was raised for me was that two of them suddenly turned up at once. If you look at the photos that Jon posted, the locking mechanism and key have aging/oxidation that looks like it's been there for a long time.

Greg

[slidekellyslide]

Very disappointing to hear about that Anson lock. I recall when it was first posted on Net54 thinking how odd it was that something that cool pertaining to Anson just pops up that I'd never seen before....and very alarming that something like that can be made so convincingly and cheaply.

[canjond]

Greg,

I sent you an email.

- Jon

[rickybulldog50]

Picked up these recently!

[olsport]

Most of us are aware of the stamped steel figural baseball player opener from the teens. Well I just picked up a printing plate of it to advertise it. Anyone know more about the item itself and how people bought? won? or were given these? They have advertising stamped on the back, so I was thinking they were giveaways for that business? Anyone know? Here's a picture! The hooked right foot was the bottle opener, the square hole was for adjusting a gas stove (I've been told?) and the round hole where the ball is, was for a keychain, lanyard, or to just hang up for use.

I have the same birthday as Bob Feller (Nov 3), and I grew up about 4 miles from the farm where Bob Feller grew up in Iowa.

[perezfan]

Jon and Greg...

Nice win-win solution on the Anson Padlock. It is a neat item to keep, just for the aesthetics. Even if not an antique, it has great display value and is still somewhat rare (only 40 - 42 produced).

Just another example of why Net54 is such a great resource!

BTW, I spoke with Jeremy at Hunts, and would be surprised if Lot # 308 is included, when the Auction goes live on their website.

[yanks12025]

Mark,
How were you able to view their next auction and notice that the lock was in there. Thanks

[perezfan]

I received the Hunts Catalogue about a week ago. There has been a delay viewing it on-line, as they have been busy with the Live Superbowl Auction that just ended. I was surprised to see the Anson Lock in there, as this all occurred right in the midst of my researching its origins!

I am guessing that the new auction will appear online any day now... it is scheduled to end February 26-27.

[yanks12025]

Mark,
I just looked and it's already up.

[whitey19thcentury]

The Anson lock is off of the online catalog at Hunt. The auction went up on the Internet sometime late this morning, and the lock was on the site.

[slidekellyslide]

She's not vintage, but I'll keep her.

Addie - born 2-15-10 (5 weeks early)

[MGHPro]

Congrats Dan
Matt

[GKreindler]

Congrats Dan!!! Definitely the best pick-up I've seen yet...

[Lordstan]

Great pick up Dan.

She definitley is Vintage
vintage [ˈvɪntɪdʒ]
adj
2. representative of the best and most typical
3. of lasting interest and importance; venerable;

Mine was born 8 weeks early and she's a competitive gymnast.
It's the only pick up you have to keep paying for over and over again, but it certainly is worth it.

BTW... Did she decide on her favorite Nebraska Indians player yet? Who is she leaning towards?

Best wishes to you all for a happy and healthy life.
Mark

[JasonL]

thanks for sharing such excellent news...

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by slidekellyslide

She's not vintage, but I'll keep her.

That's a great line Dan, and a beautiful little girl you have there,

I have three grown children, two daughters and a son. My girls still call me Daddy, and the only calling my son does is when he needs money!

[cardguru67]

That padlock is unbelievable and 100% original...I've never seen anything like it!

[perezfan]

Originally Posted by cardguru67

That padlock is unbelievable and 100% original...I've never seen anything like it!

I just scrolled through the entire thread to see if there was another Padlock (besides the Cap Anson). I didn't see one, so I assume you are referring to it in the quote above.

That item may be unbelievable (literally) but is hardly 100% original. It was made last year, along with 40 or so others. A number have popped up recently, including one in Hunts (Lot 308) which they withdrew from the auction for not being original.

The one you cited was just re-sold on ebay for about one quarter of its original price (despite the seller being informed of its origins, he relisted it with the same misleading description). Just wanted to be sure you read through the entire thread. Another one of these will inevitably turn up soon, and wanted you + all others to be informed before considering a purchase.

I'll concede that it is a well executed and beautifully done fantasy piece. But it was not made with any intention to fool people (though it's done a pretty good job of that- present company included!)

[canjond]

I should also mention that I gave Greg a refund for the lock I sold to him as well. He ended up deciding to keep it, but for the exact price I paid for it.

[vintagesportflips]

Figured I would get these in on the Feb pickups before the calendar turns.

I just picked up these two pieces.

The first is a trophy baseball from an 1898 game between Lafayette and Lehigh colleges. I have wanted to pickup one of these for a while, and while I have about 30 trophy footballs of various eras, this is my first baseball.



This second piece is a neat little piece of ephemera relating to the Carlisle Indians. It is a 1900 pre-football game dance invitation at Harvard University, before the following days game with the Carlisle Indians. I picked this piece up in the Carlisle area, so my assumption is these were given to Carlisle Indian players. I dated it to the year 1900 because that was the only year that matched up with the following day, Harvard hosting Carlisle. The card is a little bigger than a CDV.

[slidekellyslide]

Great stuff Keith! I love that Carlisle invite...interesting that a dance would last from 9PM to 4AM. Those Ivy Leaguers sure liked to party!