Your top finds for 2011

[thekingofclout]

Another of my favorite finds from this year was this 1964 Remco Beatles Doll Set with the seldom seen Sears Catalog Mailing Box. While most of the Dolls themselves are plentiful, these Sears Dolls were made to be very hard as opposed to the much more common soft plastic regular dolls. The Sears Dolls also came in a marked cardboard 4 in one box, compared to the individual display boxes that the regular issued soft Dolls came in.

So when I had the Dolls in hand, I set out to find a 1964 Sears Christmas Catalog as a companion piece. It took some time but I was finally able to locate one, as is shown in the scans below...

1964BeatlesREMCODOLLSBOX1.jpg1964BeatlesREMCODOLLSBOX10.jpg

1964SEARSCatalog1.jpg1964SEARSCatalog2.jpg

[murphusa]

years not over yet, I'm still looking

[stone193]

First, I just want to say I've seen some truly amazing pickups/finds!

This pin - I've rarely seen since the Phillies were only called "bluejays" for a short period - and it was unofficial.



And in the world of lobby cards - this one is a whale for me - one of my favorite Sci-Fi movies of the 50s - This Island Earth title card.



Oops - what? Another whale? Yes! The Thing! 1951.



A very cool "rescue cat" whose mom left her litter on my porch - and later died of feline aids - we named her Sadie:



A really neat "coke" advertising piece that still lights up and the clock works!



My 27th variation to my collection of Take Me Out to the Ball Game sheet music - I'm working with Tim Wiles - Director of Research - at the HOF on cataloging all the variations - I've provided an update to their list of 5 - I'm short 2 from my total list of 29 - which includes some variations of the same singer - this one is Richard Burton:



The original artwork for the 1955 Yankee's WS press pin:



Tobacco store advertising piece with original frame:



A beer advertising piece - New York Yankees - in the most incredible condition I've ever seen with respect to this piece:



On the toy side - this Dick Tracy car is pristine - I got Noel Barrett of the Antique Roadshow to authenticate it for me!



I'm gonna call it quits with this one - the centerpiece of my Hartland collection - Ted Williams - Box - and Tag!





It's actually whiter than this pic:



Thanx for viewing and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by stone193

First, I just want to say I've seen some truly amazing pickups/finds!

This pin - I've rarely seen since the Phillies were only called "bluejays" for a short period - and it was unofficial.



And in the world of lobby cards - this one is a whale for me - one of my favorite Sci-Fi movies of the 50s - This Island Earth title card.



Oops - what? Another whale? Yes! The Thing! 1951.



A very cool "rescue cat" whose mom left her litter on my porch - and later died of feline aids - we named her Sadie:



A really neat "coke" advertising piece that still lights up and the clock works!



My 27th variation to my collection of Take Me Out to the Ball Game sheet music - I'm working with Tim Wiles - Director of Research - at the HOF on cataloging all the variations - I've provided an update to their list of 5 - I'm short 2 from my total list of 29 - which includes some variations of the same singer - this one is Richard Burton:



The original artwork for the 1955 Yankee's WS press pin:



Tobacco store advertising piece with original frame:



A beer advertising piece - New York Yankees - in the most incredible condition I've ever seen with respect to this piece:



On the toy side - this Dick Tracy car is pristine - I got Noel Barrett of the Antique Roadshow to authenticate it for me!



I'm gonna call it quits with this one - the centerpiece of my Hartland collection - Ted Williams - Box - and Tag!





It's actually whiter than this pic:



Thanx for viewing and a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Great stuff, Mike R.!!

Merry Christmas!

[thekingofclout]

I absolutely concur with Scott, Mike. What a fabulous and broad collection you must have if that was just your winnings from this past year!

Can't wait to see more. Regards, Jimmy

[Joe_G.]

On the memorabilia side, my favorite 2011 pick-up would be a small collection of letters that were written to Bill Watkins, many during his tenure with Detroit (1885-88). When combined with the Robert Leadley / Robert Allen letters I already had (from Rhys Yeakley's famous find), I have a nice run of team stationary from 1885, 1886, 1888 (National League) and 1889 (International Association).

The letters are loaded with interesting content with several dating to when Detroit purchased the Western League Indianapolis team on 6/15/1885. This brought Watkins and most of the Indy team to Detroit, including Sam Thompson. When Keenan & McKeon failed to report/sign, the total cost to Detroit dropped from $5000 to $2000 (not a bad price for Sam Thompson, Deacon McGuire, Sam Crane, Dan Casey, and others). Furthermore, the Western League collapsed without its best team (Indy) and allowed Detroit to snag Lady Baldwin from the disbanded Milwaukee club. Near the end of 1885 baseball season, Detroit would also purchase the Buffalo club, sending the "Big 4" to Detroit (Brouthers, Richardson, Rowe, & White). Unfortunately, no content on the Big 4 to be found in the letters but still plenty of interesting tidbits (here is a sampling):

INDIANAPOLIS, July 16 1885
Mr. W. H. Watkins
Detroit Mich

Dear Sir:
When the Base Ball Club left here, Crane owed us $140.00 on the advance Money he got. McQueery 12.40, as you know as well as we do their Contracts read “The Advance Money to be kept from their Salaries at the rate of 40.00 each pay day, until settled”, & we now kindly ask you to attend to this for us, & remit amount due to date. Glad the Club is doing so well. Has Collins been released? Are you going to keep 4 Pitchers? Awaiting to hear from you.

Where is Poorman?

Yours Truly
Indlps Base Ball Club
S. E. Rauh Secy & Treas

In a letter dated 8/2/1885 (Team secretary Robert Leadley to Bill Watkins):

Anything relative to the financial business of the Club, you & I can settle between us, it is not necessary for Messrs Marsh and Stearns to stick in their oars. Those two, especially Stearns make me tired, this of course is confidential.
Baldwin taking good care of himself. Dr thinks next year he’ll be a great pitcher if he doesn’t over do this season.

[stone193]

Thank you Scott and Jimmy!

For clarity - I collect certain toys from the 50s and lobby cards from Sci-Fi/horror movies of the 50s.

Minor focus pins (WS and stadium) - and advertising items.

Hartlands, working on a few card sets.

Passion: Take me out...sheet music - according to the HOF - I have the most complete checklist of variations - I'm planning on donating the complete run -when finished down the road.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by thekingofclout

Another of my favorite finds from this year was this 1964 Remco Beatles Doll Set with the seldom seen Sears Catalog Mailing Box. While most of the Dolls themselves are plentiful, these Sears Dolls were made to be very hard as opposed to the much more common soft plastic regular dolls. The Sears Dolls also came in a marked cardboard 4 in one box, compared to the individual display boxes that the regular issued soft Dolls came in.

So when I had the Dolls in hand, I set out to find a 1964 Sears Christmas Catalog as a companion piece. It took some time but I was finally able to locate one, as is shown in the scans below...

Attachment 52178Attachment 52179

Attachment 52180Attachment 52181

Jimmy,

You are effing amazing. This is a great Beatles ensamble! I love the original Sears packaging and 1964 catalogue!!

I think this is the exact Sears catalogue that my first GI Joe (Navy) was ordered from. That was my best Christmas that I remember as a kid. I remember it like it was yesterday.

BTW, does anyone else remember the excitement of looking through the Sears Christmas catalogue for the first time every year like I do? Those were great times!!