Best...Find....Ever

[Lordstan]

Ok. I am really excited to have been able to acquire this grouping of items.

It all started with this photo. I purchased it last year from a fellow collector. I cam to find out through him that this was from 1934. I depicted the winners of the Quaker Oats Prize contest with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Little did I know what would happen.
https://live.staticflickr.com/7567/15413487653_fd07553fe9_o.jpg
I am so psyched to have acquired the collection and mementos from one of the young boys that was there that day.

Robert Coleman, 9, from Des Moines Iowa, was one of the First Prize winners who was brought to NY to go to 2 games and meet Ruth. All the items that follow are from the collection. There a lot of photos, so I will probably need more than one post to put them all up. Please wait until I get them all up to comment.

First up is the contest coupon booklet. Apparently there were weekly entries. Each coupon would be sent in with 2 box tops. The bottom photo shows how it looks totally unfolded. I photoshopped the pieces together to give you the effect. It appears, young Robert submitted weeks 4, 5, and 11.

https://live.staticflickr.com/518/19930990701_9c56ef5707_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/3746/19737859858_9f236ba884_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/3782/19304925613_c7bd77f298_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/559/19304925193_f798baa219_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/546/19899677596_e241603fc0_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/348/19918339342_155a542d36_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/348/19918339342_1bc8db6ef9_b.jpg

Next up is the telegram he received informing him of his prize and some of the things to come. One thing that strikes me is that he got word he won and only has a week to get ready. No months of planning. Simple.

https://live.staticflickr.com/499/19304936013_30566af554_o.jpg

They followed that up with a letter detailing his travel plans and itinerary. There was a money order, but I am sure that was spent.

https://live.staticflickr.com/432/19930989171_cf059c4ffa_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/320/19899677016_91740bcc83_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/463/19918334852_ea2feb150a_o.jpg

Next up are some snapshots the family took along the way with details written on the back. I didn't look at the one with the players up close to see if anyone could be identified, but I will.

https://live.staticflickr.com/310/19739213689_a250f4475a_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/3716/19918332472_f265d4e86f_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/3752/19739213229_6464b83520_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/431/19899673676_f7180c0962_o.jpg

Cool stuff right. Wait. it gets better.

[thetruthisoutthere]

Mark, that photo is a beauty.

[JoeyFarino]

Mark thats pretty damn cool. To be able to hear first hand from someone who was actually there is amazing. Congrats buddy

[Lordstan]

So. Up next are the programs from both games Robert attended with his father. No tickets as they probably weren't issued them as VIPs. Inside the scorecards are the newspaper articles about each of the games and the second one has an article from his hometown newspaper, I think, about his experience.

https://live.staticflickr.com/449/19925901565_925a0d5d5b_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/259/19930991991_5f0b39f832_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/276/19737885770_33a730c23c_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/258/19925900745_68427c3e7a_o.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/502/19925900365_dbfaecf372_o.jpg


And now the BEST of it all...These are scrapbook pages from his album with multiple full 8x10s original photos depicting his experience.

First up is a radio party in his hometown announcing his contest win.
https://live.staticflickr.com/413/19899676396_da24aca8b5_o.jpg
Next up is a photo of Ruth and Robert probably from the dinner with Ruth at the Waldorf on Aug 3.
https://live.staticflickr.com/511/19303274134_3aa4e22f21_o.jpg

Robert with Ruth and Gehrig with Babe giving him some batting pointers. It was used for the newspaper article.
https://live.staticflickr.com/484/19737857108_e7f359dd80_o.jpg

Next is him on rooftop of Penn hotel in Manhattan.
https://live.staticflickr.com/383/19899675456_d8eb185784_o.jpg

Article and write of event.
https://live.staticflickr.com/559/19303273354_b91eb69c92_o.jpg

Another original copy of the group photo that I showed at the top.
https://live.staticflickr.com/327/19739214209_6fc3d9c665_o.jpg

All the kids and their families on the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.
https://live.staticflickr.com/354/19737880810_da53e50d9d_o.jpg

I am soooo psyched to get this all together. A time capsule flash back to a more simple and innocent time. Really cool.

[ooo-ribay]

Amazing karma! Congrats on your fantastic find!

[Scott Garner]

So cool!! Congrats Mark!

[Lordstan]

Thanks guys

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[granite75]

Amazing. I am sure you were only slightly less excited than a kid winning a trip to New York to meet Babe Ruth.

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[Topnotchsy]

Amazing when the pieces come together like that! Thanks for sharing.

[vintagesportscollector]

Awesome, Mark! Congrats.

[sporteq]

Hey Mark- that came out of Legendary Auctions. It's a great group!

[thetruthisoutthere]

Outstanding!!!

[71buc]

Wonderful collection congratulations!

[icollectDCsports]

Mindblowing. Thanks so much for sharing this with us.

In the photo showing Coleman with Ruth and Gehrig on the dugout steps, looks like Larrupin Lou is holding a pen -- getting ready to autograph the ball in his other hand for the kid.

[39special]

Great stuff Mark!

[Lordstan]

Thanks everyone. I really love it. I also noticed that the 2 photos of Ruth Gehrig with the kids as actually slightly different. Same angle and probably same photographer, but a second or two later.

Yes. I did notice Gehrig with the pen and ball. I am so amazed to have found this by accident.

[Shoeless Moe]

Awesome!!!!

[parker1b2]

Unbelievable find. Congrats!!!

[Lordstan]

I found the original Legendary auction from Nov 2103 auction.

I only paid a little more than this, but am not sure why it didn't end way higher than that.

http://legendaryauctions.com/LotDetail.aspx?inventoryid=161698

[billyb]

Mark,
That is a great collection. That bit of history could not have found a better home.
Now for the big question? What has to come down off the wall to display that collection?

[sporteq]

I found the original Legendary auction from Nov 2103 auction.

I only paid a little more than this, but am not sure why it didn't way higher than that.

http://legendaryauctions.com/LotDetail.aspx?inventoryid=161698

Mark- I believe you paid a small fraction for this amazing collection. How are you going to display these relics?

Albert

[Mark70Z]

That is an awesome grouping. Thanks so much for sharing.

Please, if you display, please post a picture. That would make for such a great display.

[Leon]

This thread is so cool I copied it from the memorabilia side. Outstanding history...Congrats great pick ups!!

[frankbmd]

So what was Robert's winning limerick.

I want to know why he beat me.:D

[OldEnglishD]

This thread is so cool I copied it from the memorabilia side. Outstanding history...Congrats great pick ups!!

+1

As a huge Gehrig fan, I was all grins looking through this thread.

Thanks for sharing!

[darwinbulldog]

I love this stuff. Funny thing about the Yankees on the field is that the only uniform number visible is 24. According to Baseball Almanac, #24 was worn by Vito Tamulis and Charlie Devens that year, and each of them only played in one game, at Philly, 9/25 and 9/26, respectively, and each of them notched a W. That was Tamulis's debut and Devens's swan song.

[Jay Wolt]

That was a fun read, congrats on locating the Coleman collection

[EldoEsq]

Amazing find to add to your collection!!!!

[Mountaineer1999]

Great find and great little story. Love the pictures of the little boy experiencing the city. A little bit sad the family didn't or couldn't hold onto it. I always wonder what events lead to a family heirloom sale.

[David W]

The itinerary reads on both games game at 3:00 - return to hotel at 5:00

2 hour ball games, now they are 3 hours.

[Peter_Spaeth]

I found the original Legendary auction from Nov 2103 auction.

I only paid a little more than this, but am not sure why it didn't end way higher than that.

http://legendaryauctions.com/LotDetail.aspx?inventoryid=161698

Maybe because it wasn't shilled. :eek:

[Wite3]

Amazing! Great stuff from a bygone era.

Joshua

[basesareempty]

Great find and great little story. Love the pictures of the little boy experiencing the city. A little bit sad the family didn't or couldn't hold onto it. I always wonder what events lead to a family heirloom sale.

I agree! Mr. Coleman must have some grandchildren that would want to keep it. But as these thing usually happen, the $$ outweighs the sentimental value for at least some of the heirs and this stuff ends up at auction.

[swarmee]

No one discussing the Ruth auto on the bottom of the picture with the kid on his lap? Not even mentioned in the Legendary Auctions lot? Is that because it is not authentic?
Congrats on a great find!

[Peter_Spaeth]

The itinerary reads on both games game at 3:00 - return to hotel at 5:00

2 hour ball games, now they are 3 hours.

I read someplace that they are actually a little shorter this year on average. But obviously with all the pitching changes and antics at the plate (and mound) we will never see two hour games again. If you watch clips of even 60s or 70s games, what jumps out immediately is the much faster pace. The pitcher gets the ball back, looks in for the sign, and delivers.

[Enfuego]

Simply Beautiful!!!

[slidekellyslide]

No one discussing the Ruth auto on the bottom of the picture with the kid on his lap? Not even mentioned in the Legendary Auctions lot? Is that because it is not authentic?
Congrats on a great find!

I noticed the same thing and was going to post about it, but figured I would read all the way through. What's the deal here?

[edjs]

Very cool! I love collections like this.

[clydepepper]

WOW! It was refreshing to view a time in history when advertisements did not dominate or otherwise invade our enjoyments (NOT!)
.
.
With today's wide spread media coverage, the many similar contests (albeit not with Ruth & Gehrig) can become less noticeable and the kids that win them are already so jaded and discerning that they do not fully appreciate it...and that is a shame.
.
It would be truly wonderful to be more 'connected' to such wonderful experiences as you have lade out for us.

Just imagine if you only got to see your hero once in a lifetime

-or a time when you could leave your front door unlocked

-and before you and many others had been scared into your basement by a radio show (Mercury Theatre).
.
Thanks a lot for sharing!

[timzcardz]

Simply INCREDIBLE!

Thanks for sharing.

[Lordstan]

Thanks everyone for your compliments.
It really is amazing that it was kept together all these 81 years. To be able to get a snapshot of his experience is really cool.
I was told by someone very knowledgeable that they think the signature is probably Clair's. I'm not sure, but it definitely isn't the Babes.
Considering the reaction here, I am very surprised it didn't sell for more, but regardless I am glad I found it for the price I did.

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[brian1961]

Mark,

Truly, you have a magnificent find. This is a time capsule opened up, intact, and you as the recipient is thankfully someone who sincerely appreciates these baseball artifacts. Four score and one year ago....

Heartiest of congratulations. Perhaps a nice full-size All State Display Case could accomodate this array of endearing eye candy. I know you must be frustrated about Babe's likely bogus signature, but all I see is what you do have. Had Babe's autograph been judged to be genuine, you probably would have been shut out on the rest. Obviously, you did rather well, bro.

You already are I'm sure, but keep basking in the glow of this super find.:D

--Brian Powell

[2dueces]

Awesome collection!! Congrads!

But Babe eating Puffed wheat before a game? LOL

[darwinbulldog]

Awesome collection!! Congrads!

But Babe eating Puffed wheat before a game? LOL

Puffed wheat, bubbled barley, what's the difference?

[Rickyy]

Maan...one of the nicest collection I've ever seen! Congrats!

Ricky Y

[ls7plus]

Absolutely fabulous slice of history!!!

Thanks for sharing,

Larry

[Louieman]

Thanks for sharing! Really great stuff

[baztacula]

Super cool stuff! You know, it would be such a beautiful gesture if Lordstan gifted this treasure trove to Julia Ruth Stevens, daughter of the Babe. She's such a great lady who would undoubtedly get a big kick out of seeing her daddy in these fantastic, fun photos. Wow, that would go a long ways in helping her heal after her disastrous first pitch from a couple weeks ago.

[hangman62]

That is just mind blowing !

[Lordstan]

Thanks guys for all the kind words. I am really excited to have found these.
Sorry Baz, she may be a great lady but they will be prying these from my cold dead hands when I die. Plus I bet in 98 yrs she has seen every possible photo of her father.

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[kevlewis]

Mark thats a awesome pickup. Love the provenance!!!!