Christie's Buried Treasure thread
 

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?

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!

This one was buried in my binder. I love all the markings. Feels like an artistic creation.

Thanks, Gary :cool: . Scan really doesn't do it justice. In-person it's a stunner. Think I've got a shot on my phone from when I visited. Will post.

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...80e79a58cb.jpg

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...72dee1f932.jpg

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Is it safe to say that christie’s did not do their due diligence for their consignor?

Wow, is that ever an under-statement! I checked out the catalog but did not have the guts to bid on anything.

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


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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!!!!

Best have a sharp blade handy once they arrive. Lots of hacking and slashing in your future.

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


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I'd be interested to see any Pirates photos from any of the lots, including the team lots.

Now I get why he was called Highpockets. That never clicked until just now.

"Home Run" is an apt moniker for this gem from lot 53.

Attachment 312817

Very nice! Is there a news service stamp on the back?

Dang. Great treasures!

Yes it is a double weight Underwood.

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





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How cow Jim, that Bender photo is out of this world. Congrats!

Great picture! I would enjoy seeing Kriendler tackle that one.

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.

Nice addition! This looks like one of their spring training photos - I have Pete Appleton's copy (aka Jablonowski) from 1933:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/132359...7677532628734/

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.

Packages came today. Two huge boxes, one box held the framed and matted Puerto Rican league whiskey display piece. The other box held all the other lots I won. Those lots were individually boxed in two boxes per lot, really. At least I got a boatload of packaging supplies to reuse! I appreciate the time and effort that they used to package my items, but wow. I have been buying from online auctions for close to 20 or so years now, and I never saw so much precaution take in shipping items. The shipping cost for the lots I won was over $500, which was more than 10% of my costs of the lots I won.

There are still some other auction houses where you can luck out still in terms of bidding on bulk lots and being surprised when it comes to your doorstep.


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.

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!

I believe this was the last of Christies baseball auctions

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

They indicated it was the last of the collection they had been consigned (the 3 auctions were all from a single consignor). I imagine if a similar situation came up they would do it again, but I would wonder why anyone would consign sports items to Christie's given the way these listings were handled.

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.

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!

Conlon Waite Hoyt, used for 1933 Goudey card.

Conlon, 1913 World Series Game 1, Chief Bender running to cover third.

Conlon Lefty Grove, used on a few odd cards. Not sideways of course.

sorry to hear you didn't get the resolution you were looking for from christies. :(

No hidden treasure but I certainly didn't get the pack job everyone else got . At least it wasn't damaged .

Very very cool

Ronnie- they were actually pretty helpful...we discussed them reaching out to the winning bidder stating I’m interesting in acquiring the item. they said it would be between me and the buyer, Christie’s would only be putting us in touch (there’d be no cut for them), which I thought was good...so, fingers crossed I get a response.

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




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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
 

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!

Nice find Kris!

+1!!

Jim - I like that there was a photo-bomber behind Lajoie in those images...well, his legs at least...

Another find in my lots. Both of these shots are of Al Demaree but the top photo was used for his 1914 T222 Fatima card:

https://uploads.tapatalk-cdn.com/201...d244e76181.jpg

Interestingly, the backgrounds are completely different:

http://www.vintagecardprices.com/pics/54886.jpg




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I have to be honest, I really regret not bidding on any of these lots. The hidden gems remind of how buying sometimes was in the past. Surprise Conlons, Thompsons and photos used for pre-war...great stuff guys! Needless to write, but bids will be probably be nuts next time around for these types of lots.

Great find Andrew! Had no idea they doctored the backgrounds on the Fatima cards.

I've been going through my winnings the past few days, will post some finds soon.

Now you need to find the photo that the background was used for.. :o

Nice buried pair here. There are others, but these two are my favorites:

1912 World Series action photo by Conlon

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/y...psxsfy9hhs.jpg


Thompson portrait photo of Harry Pulliam on which is written on the back "Harry Pulliam Who Shot Himself Yesterday"...just amazing

http://i792.photobucket.com/albums/y...pswsm0huah.jpg

Christie's Buried Treasure thread
 

Great shot but can't be the 1912 World Series, which was Boston vs. NY Giants. That shot is Boston vs. the NY Highlanders at Hilltop Park, north of the Polo Grounds [emoji4] .

More importantly, that photo is the center panel on this T202 triple folder:

https://i.pinimg.com/originals/38/88...2ef436d33f.jpg

That it is!. You're full of bad news for me but gave me some good news at the end there. I like it! I didn't see where the Highlanders had the crest on their sleeves but now I see they did in 1909 and 1910. Oops.

Those triple folders are just so cool!

What's the photo under Harry Pulliam? That's definitely at the Polo Grounds.

There are two that seem to have both been taken there. Heinie Zimmerman in a smaller photo and a larger one of Miller Huggins and Larry Maclean is just behind that one.

In case you don't regularly check the BST where this photo was just posted for sale, I wanted to share the story of another buried treasure discovered. This photo captures Honus Wagner receiving the "Honey Boy" Evans trophy for winning the batting title in 1908. The beautiful trophy now resides in the Hall of Fame.

Although there is no stamp on the back of the photo, it was attributed to Paul Thompson when previously sold and the handwriting on the back is a perfect match to another Wagner photo that does have Thompson’s stamp (see the third image showing the OTHER photo with the Thompson stamp).

Additional information on the trophy is found on the Hall of Fame website:
https://baseballhall.org/discover-mo...ney-boy-trophy

"In May 1908, the Los Angeles Times reported that “George Evans, the song writer and comedian, has offered a…..cup for the champion batter of the world for the season of 1908. The cup will be known as the ‘Honey Boy Evans Cup.’ ” Two years later the Washington Post noted: “George Evans, the star of the ‘Honey Boy Minstrels,’ has probably taken first honors as the most enthusiastic baseball ‘bug’ of the present day. Mr. Evans annually backs up his enthusiasm as the champion ‘fan’ by presenting a trophy known to all baseball players as the ‘Honey Boy’ trophy to the batsman of the American or National League attaining the highest batting average of the season.”

The inaugural trophy for the 1908 season was presented to Pirates shortstop Honus Wagner on May 20, 1909, prior to a home game in Pittsburgh. He topped the nearest competitor by 20 points with his .354 average in 1908. The New York Times reported “The 7,000 people who braved the dark clouds and the damp, shivery weather saw Wagner presented with a silver trophy in the shape of a cup…..The huge cup having been brought out to the home plate by a little boy, and Wagner, having shuffled up to the plate with his hat off, Joe Humphreys made the presentation speech akin to a marriage vow. “Take it and honor it and treasure it and—‘Obey it,’ yelled somebody in the bleachers, ‘until death do us part.’ ‘Fill it up, Wagner! Fill it up!’ yelled the bleachers.”

Really neat!!

This is a great thread. Please keep it going all you auction winners.

+1

Here is a rare Jack Chesbro from circa 1908, likely from Spring Training in Atlanta. Chesbro photos are tough!

Attachment 315599

christies buried treasure thread
 

That's an interesting "Cobb" image. In my experience, the Spalding stamp usually means that the print was made in the 1920s. The image itself is the last photo pictured in the McCabe's classic "Baseball's Golden Age", showing Conlon's prints from original negatives. The photo is identified as a 1910 shot of Hack Simmons. Dennis Goldstein

Attachment 316301

I just discovered that Baker swung a 52 ounce bat, most modern bats are 32 ounces. This photo has always struck me as such an evocative image of the Deadball Era and that size differential might explain why the photo is so striking to the modern eye.

52 ounces!!!! He looks like he weights 170 pounds! Wow.

Here's a great shot of Chief Meyers from one of my Giants lots. Back in 2006 this photo sold for over $1k more than I paid for the entire lot:

Sold for $3851.05
https://lelands.com/bids/bidplace?itemid=30724

https://lelands.com/images_items/item_30724_1.jpg

Kid Nichols Type 1 Conlon photo from 1904, Charles Conlon's rookie year as a baseball photographer, neatly tucked away within the lot. I can't find Type 1 unmounted photos from Nichols playing days anywhere, are they as rare as they appear to be? The page shown is the lead image from the book The Big Show Charles M. Conlon's Golden Age Baseball Photoraphs.

Attachment 318194

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A beauty Jim. Congrats!

christies buried treasure thread
 

Nice photo. Original Nichols photos are rare, although there were four other nice ones in the Christies auction. Also, there are a few nice earlier ones from Chickering or other photographs that have been sold. Dennis

For anyone wanting to see more of the Christies photos, we have posted forty photos on the BST at this thread link:

http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=255989