Your top finds for 2011

Scott Garner · #1 12-26-2011, 12:10 AM

Quote:

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 · #2 12-26-2011, 01:51 AM

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. · #3 12-26-2011, 11:33 AM

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 · #4 12-26-2011, 12:31 PM

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.

sayhey24 · #5 12-26-2011, 06:33 PM

Scott you stole the words right out of my mouth about the Sears catalog -- I remember so well the excitement as a kid when it came and looking through it for potential gifts. Jimmy that goes great with your Beatles set -- you are not just the King of Clout, but also the King of Companion Pieces!

Mike R. -- lots of great pickups there, but the Dick Tracy car really stands out for me. My uncle had a large toy collection displayed in his home years ago, and that car was always my favorite piece.

Greg

Oldtix · #6 12-26-2011, 09:31 PM

I've been actively collecting for over 40 years, and 2011 was absolutely one of my very best for great finds at shows, shops and online. The best sports items included 1914 and 1915 World Series programs, a 1935 Kool Cigarettes Kentucky Derby radio broadcast advertising sign, a program for the 1977 "Rudy" Notre Dame-Georgia Tech football game and a 2001 post-9/11 Kevin Millwood Atlanta Braves jersey (perhaps the one he wore to clinch the pennant). But as in 2010, my favorite pickups were non-sports.

First, a full set of DICK TRACY SECRET SERVICE PATROL radio premium badges issued by Quaker Cereals back in 1938. The "Inspector General" and "Patrol Leader" badges are quite rare; in fact, only a handful of the "Patrol Leader" badges are known to exist. The lack of any Dick Tracy identification on the Patrol Leader badge is one reason. The other reason is that exploitation of little kids is not a recent development.

Badges were earned by sending in Quaker Puffed Wheat and Puffed Rice boxtops. Two boxtops was all it took to become a Member. You could become a Sergeant for 5 more boxtops. For only 7 more boxtops, a Sergeant could be promoted to Lieutenant. When the Lieutenant sent in another 10, he became a Captain. The highest rank...Inspector General...only took 15 more boxtops. That's right...to become an Inspector General, the poor kid had to eat 39 boxes of cereal! The Patrol Leader rank could be yours if you could recruit five friends to give you two boxtops each and add two more yourself...bringing the total to 51 boxtops to acquire the badges shown in the photo! I suspect the life expectancy of Patrol Leaders was a matter of months.

In 2010, I was amazed to pick up an incredible set of original 1936 "FLASH GORDON" serial lobby cards (chapter 12) in their original Universal Pictures distribution envelope at an antique show. This year, the same seller confessed she had two additional sets...a condition I was pleased to cure. These are from chapter 10 and from the feature version released that same year.

Finally, here's a 1935 Joe Louis chalkware lamp that belonged to my Dad. It took five years to convince my sister that it was my turn to have it at my house. Never seen another one; it's a beauty.

thekingofclout · #7 12-27-2011, 05:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oldtix

I've been actively collecting for over 40 years, and 2011 was absolutely one of my very best for great finds at shows, shops and online. The best sports items included 1914 and 1915 World Series programs, a 1935 Kool Cigarettes Kentucky Derby radio broadcast advertising sign, a program for the 1977 "Rudy" Notre Dame-Georgia Tech football game and a 2001 post-9/11 Kevin Millwood Atlanta Braves jersey (perhaps the one he wore to clinch the pennant). But as in 2010, my favorite pickups were non-sports.

First, a full set of DICK TRACY SECRET SERVICE PATROL radio premium badges issued by Quaker Cereals back in 1938. The "Inspector General" and "Patrol Leader" badges are quite rare; in fact, only a handful of the "Patrol Leader" badges are known to exist. The lack of any Dick Tracy identification on the Patrol Leader badge is one reason. The other reason is that exploitation of little kids is not a recent development.

Badges were earned by sending in Quaker Puffed Wheat and Puffed Rice boxtops. Two boxtops was all it took to become a Member. You could become a Sergeant for 5 more boxtops. For only 7 more boxtops, a Sergeant could be promoted to Lieutenant. When the Lieutenant sent in another 10, he became a Captain. The highest rank...Inspector General...only took 15 more boxtops. That's right...to become an Inspector General, the poor kid had to eat 39 boxes of cereal! The Patrol Leader rank could be yours if you could recruit five friends to give you two boxtops each and add two more yourself...bringing the total to 51 boxtops to acquire the badges shown in the photo! I suspect the life expectancy of Patrol Leaders was a matter of months.

In 2010, I was amazed to pick up an incredible set of original 1936 "FLASH GORDON" serial lobby cards (chapter 12) in their original Universal Pictures distribution envelope at an antique show. This year, the same seller confessed she had two additional sets...a condition I was pleased to cure. These are from chapter 10 and from the feature version released that same year.

Finally, here's a 1935 Joe Louis chalkware lamp that belonged to my Dad. It took five years to convince my sister that it was my turn to have it at my house. Never seen another one; it's a beauty.

Jeez Rick. Would I love to follow you around a show for a weekend. Your Premiums Collection is mind-boggling, as is your Lobby Card and Ticket Collection. I'm absolutely amazed at the constant top-notch condition of EVERYTHING you have collected, including your superb Baseball Advertising pieces. You RULE Rick!

thekingofclout · #8 12-27-2011, 05:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

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!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by sayhey24

Scott you stole the words right out of my mouth about the Sears catalog -- I remember so well the excitement as a kid when it came and looking through it for potential gifts. Jimmy that goes great with your Beatles set -- you are not just the King of Clout, but also the King of Companion Pieces!

Mike R. -- lots of great pickups there, but the Dick Tracy car really stands out for me. My uncle had a large toy collection displayed in his home years ago, and that car was always my favorite piece.

Greg

Scott & Greg. Am glad you guys like the Beatles stuff. Shifting a big part of my focus towards collecting the Fab Four was one of the best decisions I've made in years.

And regarding the Sears Catalog, my feelings are not only on the same page as the both of you, but the same sentence! I would expect that most of us Baby Boomers feel the same way.

The day that catalog arrived, I spent the better part of the evening going through page after page after page. Some terrific memories, for sure.

1964SEARSCatalog1.jpg 1964SEARSCatalog2.jpg

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