February 2014 Pickups
 

Ok, so I hate to start the month of w/o a picture (I'll load it tomorrow), but killer score.

First time its happened to me, but if any one else has a great story please chime in. Ever win something, but get something thrown in you had no idea was included.

So.......got a gorgeous 1920's John Heydler National League baseball (although shallacked).....but the kicker was that it didn't even list that it came with the original box. No mention of it in the description. Just spoke of the ball. (1 minor negative, the box was in 6 pieces, but I did a fairly good job of taping the inside and put it together and wallah, can't even tell it was once in pieces, original seal too....just amazing).

So to my surprise, and the good lord shining on me for some unknown reason. I score a ball and perhaps a $600-700 box ta boot!!!!

pix
 

of ball & box....

Did you use scotch tape to tape the box?

Yah, I gave it a Frankenstien job on the inside of the box. I did use 1 small piece on the outside, probably a mistake but oh well. I may alter if need be.


The pix of the ball on the side of the box in the 1st picture was like that. I did nothing to that.........hey can't complain, included free.

Johnny Vander Meer WWII Guam team baseball
 

I picked up this 1945 WWII Guam team signed baseball featuring ML players Johnny Vander Meer, Del Ennis and Connie Ryan.

This is a perfect companion piece to an original snapshot Of Vandy and his '45 Guam Navy teammates and crew that I was given to me as a gift by net54's Clint (KS Farmboy) a few years ago. :cool:

Many thanks to net54's Ken Sulik (EarlyWynnfan) that allowed me to go after this ball. ;)

....

I never thought I'd purchase a ball but I like unique items especially if it's 19th century so picked up this neat cricket presentation ball. It's in great condition for the age and have not done enough research yet to see if I can identify "Mr. Wade" but pretty neat especially if there's a connection with Kennington Oval (part of Spalding's World Tour of 1889).

Nice pickup Paul! Great companion piece Scott!

Scott, I collect WWII stuff and that stuff is super cool!

....

Thanks Kyle and Chris.
Scott, that football is a sweet memory of a terrific season for the Seahawks. Congrats!

1) Pudge Rodriguez game used Tigers bat
2) 2004 Barry Larkin game used bat. Only ordered 5 of these bats this year, in June.
3) Adrian Beltre game used X-Bat

Pic 2

2004 Adrian Beltre game worn Dodgers jersey. Same year he hit 48 HR's.

Back

Incredible pickup Scott. Pretty astronomical odds that those two pieces would be put together again. Congrats.

Thanks again Clint for the great snapshot!
To make it even sweeter, the ball was a steal! :cool:

Victor Base Ball Supplies Sign
 

I've never seen this one before!! This Victor Base Ball Supplies Sign exhibits fantastic bright blue color! What more can you ask out of an antique baseball advertising piece other than bats, gloves, a catcher's mask and baseball? I'm assuming because it says "For Sale Here" it was originally displayed in a sporting goods store near the turn of the century. It currently measures about 10.5 inches by 13.5 inches. As you can tell the upper and right border have been cut away as this piece was unfortunately used as the backing of a picture frame!

Love the Victor sign. That blue is really pretty next to the equipment. Great pickup.

picked up this...
 

Federal League scorer, thought it was pretty cool (available if interested)

I just picked this up to resell.Would most collectors prefer I clean the tarnish off,or leave it as is?
Thanks

I'd use a silver polish, and would bet most of that tarnish comes off. It will look a lot better for resale, IMO.

It's silver? I would think you should clean it up. I wouldn't normally say that but silver tarnish is generally considered ok to polish. Only polish by hand which increases the patina. Elbow grease.

Thanks for your responses.It's actually Silverplate and I think it'll clean up nicely.I'm kind of torn about cleaning,some people like the tarnish and patina as it is.
Also,would anyone know who had a Duke Snider day in 1965?I think it might be from the Spokane Indians when he was managing there.That's just a guess though.

Posting a few knick-knacks I've picked up recently...

1. Tony Perez Bicentennial G/U Bat, with a huge assist to Jeremy W of our Forum. Jeremy spotted what must have been the worst ebay listing of all-time (with no mention of Perez, the Cincinnati Reds, or anything else pertinent). Just a generic bat listing. It still garnered some decent bidding, but went for lots less than a proper listing would have commanded.

Neat/rare Bat, as it is a dark Hickory Model (Perez ordered only one batch of these Hickory Bats from H&B - in July of '76)

2. Nifty Late 1950s Wilson Counter Display with Mint Go Go Sox Baseball

3. Assorted Early Baseball Jewelry. These Watch Fobs feature some amazing artwork and intricate detail.... and are sterling silver. They are one of the more under-rated (and thus under-priced) segments of the hobby, IMHO :rolleyes:

^^^^

Love the Sox display!

also love when ebay sellers write terrible descriptions (that is, when I find the stuff) :D

I almost bid on that Perez but it looked rough from the listing. Is it in decent shape? Did it have anything on the knob? The seller said there wasn't.

I was the under bidder on the perez. It may been been poorly listed but I'm pretty sure all the big bat guys saw it on eBay. You sure it's hickory and not colored like that from water or fire? Because I'd think there wouldn't be light colored spots.

I took your advice,and it cleaned up nicely.It's a lot more appealing cleaned up IMO.Here's what it looks like now.

That looks great! Nice job polishing it. If your intent is to sell, you just made it a lot more marketable. Beautiful piece!

Regarding the Perez Bat...

No discernable number on knob. There is a hint of old marker, but too faint to even claim its a "24". The bat does measure the correct 35.5" in length. This bat was not well cared for, and probably spent the majority of its life outside/unprotected. It was very dry and weathered when received. I decided to apply a coat of lemon oil to liven it up. From what I've read, this is an acceptable practice, and it really helped bring the wood back to life.

Yes, the bat was worn. But I am nearly positive it's the hickory type. Perez placed an order for one batch of these Hickories in July of 1976. When you see it in person, it's easy to tell the difference between this wood and the far more typical ash model with flame burned finish.

There are other nice indications of game use. Lots of grain swelling from repeated ball contact. It is on the down- side of the barrel, as is correct for Perez gamers. He batted with the H&B trademark pointing away. Some nice ball marks and rack streaks as well. Not sure how it would grade without a discernable number on knob... But for a couple hundred bucks, am quite happy with the purchase. A high grade bicentennial model would easily exceed 4 figures, so (given my current financial state) this was a perfect solution.

Sorry to bore you all to death, but you inquired!

[QUOTE=perezfan;1237731

Sorry to bore you all to death, but you inquired![/QUOTE]

Not at all. I was just curious to know if the new owner(you) saw something the seller did not.

I just wish it was in better shape, otherwise it would have a different current owner;)

Vander Meer personally owned items
 

Wow, 2014 is off to a terrific start for pickups!

Here are a few truly unique items that I recently acquired that came directly from Johnny Vander Meer's family estate:

- Vander Meer's actual birth certificate

- Vander Meer Honorable Discharge certificate from the US Navy in WWII -

- Vander Meer 1945 US Navy Notice of Separation (lots of great stuff here!)

- Johnny Vander Meer 1971 Old Timers Game (Philadelphia) Louisville Slugger Bat.
This bat is massive in length (36") and weight. When I picked it up to swing it, I found it truly ironic and laughable that they would issue a bat that heavy to someone that was 20 years removed from his playing days.

Babe Ruth himself would have had trouble swinging this bad boy! :p

Busy month so far for me...

1967-68 Sal Bando Oakland Athletics Coat (#6 on the sleeve). No evidence of it having a 1969 Centennial patch on the sleeve which prevents it from being from 1969. Also, since it has only the "A" on the front instead of "A's" I believe it also is from before 1970.

http://www.hofbats.com/images/net54/BandoFront.jpg"

Next...

1966 Cleveland Indians Dick Howser road flannel. Number and name change (HOWSER is still visible on the back when held to the light) from 18 to 5. I believe this jersey may have been re-used in 1967 by coach Del Rice who wore #5.

http://www.hofbats.com/images/net54/HowserFront.jpg"
http://www.hofbats.com/images/net54/HowserBack.jpg"
http://www.hofbats.com/images/net54/HowserTag.jpg"

And the final (most significant piece)...

1960 Cleveland Indians Harvey Kuenn home flannel. All original. Has some staining and a few tears here and there, but just a great piece. For those of you who were Indians fans during that time this jersey is of special significance (especially if you believe in the "Curse of Rocky Colavito"). I believe this could have also been worn during spring training of 1960 by Rocky Colavito since Colavito wore #6 in 1959 for the Indians.

This is the very jersey worn on opening day of 1960 by 1959 AL Batting Champ Harvey Kuenn after he was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Cleveland Indians for 1959 AL HR Champ Rocky Colavito (tied with Killebrew that year with 42 HR). The two teams played each other in Cleveland on Opening Day - April 19, 1960.

Shown below with photos of the jerseys are images that show the jersey being worn by Kuenn. The final image shows the pinstripe matches on the front of the jersey.

http://www.hofbats.com/images/net54/KuennFront.jpg"
http://www.hofbats.com/images/net54/KuennBack.jpg"
http://www.hofbats.com/images/net54/Kuenn1960.jpg"http://www.hofbats.com/images/net54/KuennWahoo.jpg"
http://www.hofbats.com/images/net54/...Kuenn1960.jpg"
http://www.hofbats.com/images/net54/...avito1960.jpg"
http://www.hofbats.com/images/net54/...60Matched.jpg"

Definite match.... really great stuff... congrats!

That is a huge match!

Awesome flannels!

Picked up this stub from Chiefs Super Bowl 4 in KC today.

That is some awesome Van der Meer stuff Scott!

I recently picked up this ticket stub. May 2nd, 1954, the Cards play a doubleheader against the Giants. Stan Musial becomes the first player to hit 5 home runs in a doubleheader! in attendance that day is an 8 year old Nate Colbert who would go on to duplicate the feat in 1972.

Thanks Randall! Great ticket!!

My newest Lou's
 

Wow. Some great pickups so far.

Scott,
Congrats. Those are some special items. I can only image a personal relic, like glove, uni, hat, or trophy ball, from one of his two no hitters as being a more ultimate VDM pickup than his birth cert or Navy discharge paperwork.

Michael,
I really hope you decide to restore that poster. That blue color looks fantastic and should really pop once done.


My new ones.

1929 type 1 of Lou Gehrig at his home in Larchmont, NY with Benny Bengough showing off some fishing equipment. Very excited to get this one. I already had another picture of the same scene, but it has no slug on it. I thought it was Lou and Bengough at Lou's home, but wasn't sure as their faces are partially obscured. I also didn't know the date. It's nice to be able to confirm the second photo's contents.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...thBengough.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...Bengoughbk.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...oughatHome.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ghatHomebk.jpg



1932 type 1 of Gehrig with Bobby Lowe. It goes with the other, more well known, version that I picked up a few years ago.
They were photographed together after Gehrig hit 4 HR in a game, on June 3, 1932. Lowe was the first player in Major League history to hit four home runs in a game, a feat which he accomplished in May 1894.
From Wikipedia
"After Lou Gehrig hit four home runs in a game in 1932, Lowe, wearing his old Beaneaters uniform, posed with Gehrig. Lowe said, "I feel complimented to share the record with so grand a boy."[4] He was 38 years older than Gehrig, but outlived him by 10 years."

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...32withLowe.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...withLowebk.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...hBobbyLowe.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...obbyLowebk.jpg

Thanks Mark!
Let me return the favor and compliment you on the Lou Gehrig photos. Great pickups, especially the first one. That's an awesome image!

Mark awesome photos as always! congrats

Thanks Guys.

Also, I forgot to give a shout out to Scott Forrest(Runscott). I got the photo with Lowe from his new web store, Belltown Vintage Cards . If anyone's thinking about it, he was great to deal with. Thanks Scott.

Mark just checked out that website and its literally 20 mins away. I just ordered this one of their website. He has some great stuff

http://i450.photobucket.com/albums/q...s6e4smdmi.jpeg

Very nice Joey. Congrats.
Glad I could hook both you and Scott up tonight.

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk

Scott - Great haul - you must be thrilled!

Ya know, it seems like almost every photo of Gehrig is of him smiling, with youngsters, or helping out with something. Wish I could've met the man. Seems like he was a real nice guy.

"Soup" Campbell game used bat-- don't see these everyday!
2001 Adrian Beltre game used bat
2001 Adrian Beltre game used bat

Pic 2

Thanks Mark and Joey! Joey, you will love that photo - it has great clarity and I'm surprised it lasted this long.

My apologies for not adding to the store in the last two weeks, but I still have over 300 items to scan and add. I have spent all of my free time watching football, then discovered that my girlfriend bought us the cable sports package, and we now have the MLB channel! Between that and the Olympics, doubt I'll be moving from my couch for another week.