Christie's Buried Treasure thread
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I was fortunate to win a couple of lots at the Christie's and just received my winnings today. I had requested access to several lots, so I knew what was there, but I was stunned at the sheer volume of magnificent images buried within 75 photo lots with only a handful of the images actually posted publicly in the auction listing.
So, I'm starting this thread to post your "Buried Treasure, photos that were not publicly shown in the listing images. Please share yours, but "buried treasure" only! Here is one of mine. It comes from lot 210 and is one of my very favorite Bender images. I have been searching for this exact copy for years. It was my photographic White Whale! It was last seen in a Legendary Auction some years back. If anyone has a copy of the catalog with that listing I'd appreciate a shot of the listing as I could have sworn it mentioned Paul Thompson. In any event, post away, I doubt we will discover such buried treasure in any other auction anytime soon. I will post more images in a few days, but suffice it to say, as a buyer, I am thrilled with Christie's. Attachment 312388 |
this is the description when legendary auctioned it, in december 2009. it sold for $2,370.
Chief Bender - Thompson Original Photo Original Thompson writing, American Press Association Stamp Authenticated by PSA; Full PSA letter accompanies. |
Thanks Ronnie, great information! The PSA letter is no longer with it, anyone had any luck back tracing a cert # from PSA to view the letter online?
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I won only one photo lot (a team photo lot), but won several more lots, including the Coveleski and Wilmer Fields lots. I have no clue what is all in them, I bid just judging by the writeups and what I saw in the photo provided.
I am still waiting for my winnings to arrive. I got a suspicion that the Fields lot is going to be filled with treasures. |
I posted a thread in this section several days ago regarding a Ty Cobb photo in one of the lots that I won. The photo is very clear and almost certainly from the original negative. Only question to me is whether a type one or type two. If it turns out to be a type one (which I have a feeling that it is), I will be more than a little bit happy.
A Ty Cobb full size type one with full borders dated to 1907 by Cahrles Conlon? Yes please! Was not photographed or even mentioned in the write up. http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/y...psh7sjikfr.jpg http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/y...psoftu4sbv.jpg |
I won several lots as well and picking them up at Christie's today. Spent about five hours there last week, so I definitely did know what I was getting. Here's a scan from their site of one of my favorites. Will post more once I have everything in-hand:
https://farm1.staticflickr.com/812/4...4ebebe69_c.jpg |
Wow Andrew, that's a really nice one!
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This one was buried in my binder. I love all the markings. Feels like an artistic creation.
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Is it safe to say that christie’s did not do their due diligence for their consignor?
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In my case, the treasure actually WAS buried. Shot this it Christie’s when I went to pickup. Guy had to dig through the boxes to find my lots so I could condense and carry home:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...e2d2b61df1.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
One box held three box binders, the other held two box binders. Those binders were in a smaller box, surrounded with packing peanuts, inside the boxes you see there. Also, each binder box was wrapped in plastic and secured with tape. Maximum overkill.
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Now I know why I paid over $500 for shipping!!!!
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Very happy with these two from my Giants lots. 1922 and 1923:
https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...f45bf1ca7d.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...a397724df2.jpg Not to mention this one hiding in the weeds: https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9343c3380c.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...49285223fc.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
I'd be interested to see any Pirates photos from any of the lots, including the team lots.
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Now I get why he was called Highpockets. That never clicked until just now.
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Dang. Great treasures!
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Yes it is a double weight Underwood.
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Wow, nice. I’m sure that lot had more great stuff as well. An Underwood from one of my Giants lots: https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...b58fa5b453.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...45d4ff5ce2.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
How cow Jim, that Bender photo is out of this world. Congrats!
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5x7 Thorne Yankees team photo. This came out of the Coveleski photo album. I assume that this is the 1928 season since that was Coveleski's lone season with them.
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Nice addition! This looks like one of their spring training photos - I have Pete Appleton's copy (aka Jablonowski) from 1933:
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I guess I need to start paying attention to Christie’s now. I remember the good old days of Hunt auction lots where you didn’t know exactly what you were getting in a lot until it showed up on your doorstep.
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Lelands used to be like that back in the day, too. I remember purchasing fantastic autograph lots back in the 00s in Lelands. One vintage Yankees lot I purchased had two signatures each of former owners Devery and Farrell, and those weren't listed or shown. Another autograph lot I purchased about 15 or so years ago had the very tough Andy Varga on a vintage RPPC. Again, not even mentioned in the auction listing. |
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I don't think any AH will beat Hunt from the old days. They did partial descriptions and one picture for the entire lot. They almost always over achieved for their buyers as there were always additional items in the box. Tele Trade was another auction which will never be duplicated. Loved bidding by phone to a computor voice.
Now to Christies. Here is what a 950.00 shipping charge gets you! A big box with lots of protection. Im sure Christies uses shipping and insurance as major profit centers for their company. Plus the 25 percent BP is pretty healthy too. It just amazes me that that half their descriptions, was warning people that they are not responsible for what type photo it is and no garuntee for being authentic. Lot descriptions were more disclaimers than actual product descriptions. Then they show one or a couple photos to show lots with up to 75 items. Yes, if you are in New York its a big advantage to show up to their location actually look at the items ahead of time But how many people actually did that? I was told over the phone they would get back to me, and that never happened. Plus I was told the lot I inquired about was in another warehouse. I think ALL winners should have their photos looked at, as rumorville has it there were many type 2s and later photos. Interesting Christies nor the consignor wanted to Have photos graded by a TPG. Maybe two threads should be posted with one being success stories and burried treasure and the other thread being No treasure and a couple lumps of coal. |
OMG! Tele Trade! I remember bidding on their auctions via pay phone on my floor in the dorm building I lived in at Robert Morris! Fun memories!
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JC, I'd estimate out of the 150 photos in my lots approximately 10% where not Type 1s. Sometimes however the other types are much cooler! Check out this Lajoie. First is the base image. The second is the image with the floating head (a clearer image) attached (note the glue marks on the first image). The third shows both and the fourth is a published example of FrankenLajoie. This was photoshop circa 1910. A fascinating look at the editing craft.
Attachment 312999 Attachment 313000 Attachment 313001 Attachment 313002 |
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Clearly on the photographs they parsed out the Ruth Gehrig and Cobbs etc for the first two auctions and this was let’s sell what’s left. Quickly and in groups. Assume the consignor was fine that approach or he would have taken it elsewhere.
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Jim, thats good to hear and agreed the later types can be very cool, like the examples you showed. I take it you will be be reserching many photos now and the what issues they were used in.
Jeff, I think the consignor must have had a relationship with Christies which would explain why they chose to go with an AH that did not do him any favors, on the way they sold off his consignments. Not too mention, the absorbiant fees they charge buyers. This could pave the way for future gazillionares, trust funds, buying groups, and Museums to consign a large 8 figure consignment to them. Im curious what percentage of the consignors portfolio was made up of the 3 Christies Sport auctions? I bet they also have some serious art, houses in every Continent, many high profile cars, vases from the Ming Dynasty, their own Island and possibly a ticket to go out in space! Im just glad they allowed the public to buy and enjoy their collection which they have amassed. Some big collections will never come to market. |
Slightly O/T...
I was the underbidder on lot 153 (WALTER O’MALLEY LETTER REGARDING BROOKLYN DODGERS RELOCATION). I was prepared to bid higher, but sadly Christie’s outbid email never came through to me. If the winning bidder is on Net54, LMK if you are interested in making a fast, significant profit. Thanks! |
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Conlon Waite Hoyt, used for 1933 Goudey card.
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Conlon, 1913 World Series Game 1, Chief Bender running to cover third.
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Conlon Lefty Grove, used on a few odd cards. Not sideways of course.
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No hidden treasure but I certainly didn't get the pack job everyone else got . At least it wasn't damaged .
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Some gems from Lot 90. Looks like the 1906 Cincinnati Reds.
First image: Top right - Cy Seymour Top left - Al Bridwell Second image: Top left - Miller Huggins Top right - Frank Jude Bottom left - Paddy Livingston Bottom right, Admiral Schlei https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...261f48f5b9.jpg https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...9c97a25287.jpg Plus an RPPC from Addie Joss Day: https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...bf5a01109d.jpg Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk |
Did anyone here happen to win lot #98 with all of the Cuban baseball related photos?
https://onlineonly.christies.com/s/g...ction-98/54166 I'm trying hard to get my hands on a high-res scan of the team shot of the '38/'39 Leones, which was featured in the top right corner of the preview: http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...pswhe58ntx.jpg Can anyone lend a hand? Thanks, Graig |
HR Baker
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I guess you could say this Home Run Baker Photo was double-buried. After a week of pouring over our photos, under the “Sport Pictorial” sticker we discovered the always welcomed Paul Thompson stamp!
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Nice find Kris!
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