What's the centerpiece of your collection?

[Writehooks]

My main focus as a boxing collector is on the lineal heavyweight champions from 1882-1978, and I primarily concentrate on vintage display items like on-site posters, programs and pennants that I get custom framed. This recent acquisition — one I'd been hunting for 30 years — has become the centerpiece for my more than 40 framed pieces. It's the ultra rare on-site pennant for Muhammad Ali's title defence against George Chuvalo at Toronto's Maple Leaf Gardens on March 29, 1966. Along with the pennant, the frame includes two autographed wirephotos from the fight, a small promo photo of Chuvalo, a $100 ringside ticket stub and the official program (removable via a small 'back door'). I'd love to see what other 'centerpieces' are out there ...

[Lordstan]

I think it's a difficult call for most of us.
Mine would come down to 2 items.
From a traditional collectible standpoint it would be this...

Custom framed item dated 1982 by the craftsman. My father bought it for me that year for around $150.



Of everything it would be this...



Nuff said!

Mark

BTW, that Ali item is fantastic.

[mjkm90]

My centerpiece is my oversized circa 1910 Cubs pennant. May be the only one.

[thetahat]

Mine would be this 1924 Senators pennant. It is plain looking but I don't know if I've ever seen another one from what was their only WS championship.

There actually is a Pirates pennant from '25 that looks similar, with a batter graphic inside the baseball ...

[thekingofclout]

From my Memorabilia Collection it would have to be this 1941 Telegram from Lou Gehrig. I just never get tired of reading his inspirational words. This piece was just six months prior to his death and here he was still staying positive.

gehrigtelegram1941.jpg

And regarding Autographs, I'm sticking with Gehrig...

gehrigjimmyAUTO.jpggehrigjimmycloseup.jpg

I'll have to give some thought to which would be the centerpieces of my photograph collection...

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by mjkm90

My centerpiece is my oversized circa 1910 Cubs pennant. May be the only one.

That is my favorite pennant by far Mike (of course I'm a closet Cub fan as I was born there )

C'mon Mike, let's see your best Figural centerpiece as well!

[slidekellyslide]

Probably this..panoramic photo of opening day in Lincoln 1911..both Lincoln and Denver teams are lined up on the field.

[batsballsbases]

For now this is it until I think of something better.

[yanks12025]

Originally Posted by batsballsbases

For now this is it until I think of something better.

Shouldn't the jersey have a year and set tagging in the collar, not just Munson???

[scmavl]

Originally Posted by thekingofclout

From my Memorabilia Collection it would have to be this 1941 Telegram from Lou Gehrig. I just never get tired of reading his inspirational words. This piece was just six months prior to his death and here he was still staying positive.

Attachment 48089

And regarding Autographs, I'm sticking with Gehrig...

Attachment 48094Attachment 48095

I'll have to give some thought to which would be the centerpieces of my photograph collection...

These pieces are amazing. That is a beautiful autograph. Very, very nice.

[Runscott]

That Cubs pennant is the most aesthetically appealing pennant I've ever seen.

This group of items belonged to a semi-pro catcher who in 1911 played against the Kansas City, KS Giants, Leland's Chicago Giants, the Buxton Wonders, and who knows who else. The scorebook is from the 1911-12 seasons, the bat is dated by the label to 1911-15, and the ball is early 1910's.

[batsballsbases]

Brock,
Yes it does its his set 1 1977 jersey. That year they put them on the tail.

[MVSNYC]

My 3 favorite pieces:

-1955-58 Mickey Mantle Game Used Bat
-2001-02 Derek Jeter Game Used Bat
-1923 Yankee Stadium Opening Day Program

[packs]

The top two pieces from my collection have to be my Grover Cleveland Alexander signed baseball:





And my Roberto Clemente signed baseball. Lucky enough to have both on the sweetspot.

[thekingofclout]

Thanks so much Jarrod for your very kind words. And since Lou took the time to make it out to me, I had to do everything I could do to win it.

Hey Al. I had forgotten all about your terrific Munson Jersey! What an incredible piece. Certainly Cooperstown worthy.

And Scott. What a fantastic turn of the century display you have there! I love how you pieced the ensemble together.

WoW Mike! Those Mantle/Jeter GU Bats are simply an awesome display of legendary lumber. Well done.

That's some pair of Balls you have there Packs! Like many of us baby boomers, Roberto was also my childhood idol. I remember crying in my room when I heard that the plane went down. Your two single signed balls would be cornerstones in most any autograph collection. Congrats.

Best regards, Jimmy

Since Baseball Photography is the primary focus of my collection, this was no easy task. After much thought, when it came down to simply choosing the one centerpiece photo from my collection, it could only be this...

1939gehrigday2.jpg

So that makes it a Gehrig Triple Crown for me. I must say I was a bit surprised that Babe didn't show up in any of my top choices, but I wouldn't change a thing.

[yanks12025]

This jersey looks like it matches up to yours.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/89...ts-Illustrated

[Oldtix]

Fantastic stuff, fellows! My collecting interests cover a broad range of subjects, but the centerpiece of my sports collection is undoubtedly this store display poster for my favorite 1930s card series. I've shown it before, but I hope you still enjoy it as much as I do.

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Oldtix

Fantastic stuff, fellows! My collecting interests cover a broad range of subjects, but the centerpiece of my sports collection is undoubtedly this store display poster for my favorite 1930s card series. I've shown it before, but I hope you still enjoy it as much as I do.

How can any collector ever get tired of gazing at a cardboard masterpiece Rick. Great to hear from you again!

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by yanks12025

This jersey looks like it matches up to yours.

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/89...ts-Illustrated

What a great find Brock! Al will go bonkers when he sees that!

[yanks12025]

Originally Posted by thekingofclout

What a great find Brock! Al will go bonkers when he sees that!

Well we still need to see a photo of the back to see if that matches up. Cause I know getty only shows the years that the photos are taken for older ones. But his jersey in 1978 show the same NY. So the back will show whether it matches or not.

[yanks12025]

photo of the back

http://www.gettyimages.com/detail/52...eball-Platinum

[Bugsy]

A 1947 St. Paul Saints full uniform (hat and stirrups not pictured) to go along with a Duke Snider game used bat. 1947 was the year Duke played in St. Paul, so a full uniform was an incredible find for me.

Thanks!

Chris

[batsballsbases]

Brock,
Thankyou for finding those PICS!! If you can find any others please let me know. It does look to me that the alignment of the #15 is dead on from your pics! Very exciting! I can tell you that you maybe right as when I bought this Jersey back in 85or86 from a very good friend of mine he told me that it was a 1977 playoff and W/S game used jersey . I never did get it certified but I know that Richard Simon (hello Richard) has had it in his hands many years ago when I was always at the Rothstein shows in White Plains. Josh Evans has also looked at it and said it was the real deal. Like David says about his great Ruth Ball (I have no cert). Brock I will try and take some more close up pics of the pin strips that is one real way of telling how they line up. You can see them on the shoulders. Boy I kick myself in the a@@ because I was also offered his away jersey and I didnt pick it up! What a fool I was ! Instead I bought a 1984 Don Mattingly rookie warm up jacket. But thats another story!

[scooter729]

Originally Posted by Oldtix

Fantastic stuff, fellows! My collecting interests cover a broad range of subjects, but the centerpiece of my sports collection is undoubtedly this store display poster for my favorite 1930s card series. I've shown it before, but I hope you still enjoy it as much as I do.

I love the poster - my item just might be very similar...

[mjkm90]

Thank you for the kind words regarding my Cubs pennant fellas. It's always rewarding when we can appreciate each others collections.

The centerpiece of my figural collection is probably my Spalding trophy.


This super 22" Draper Maynard trophy is probably second. I just love the super detailed engraving on the ball.

[Scott Garner]

Congrats to everybody! Those are some awesome centerpieces that you posted so far!!

The centerpiece to my Nolan Ryan collection would probably be Ryan's game used glove from the 1989 season.
In 1989 he became the first and only pitcher to strike out 5,000 in a career. He also struck out 300 in a season for the sixth and final time (a record that has since been tied by Randy Johnson), threw 2 one-hitters (his last two; ML record 12 in a career), and was the winning pitcher in the 1989 All Star game in Anaheim (the oldest pitcher to ever win the All Star game).

It should be noted that there are two other centerpiece type items in my Ryan collection, which at least deserve honorable mention:
Ryan's game used home shirt from his historic 1973 season (2 no-hitters and ML record 383 K's) and his complete uniform from his last win (career win # 324 at Cleveland).

In my no-hitter collection it would probably be the two rare die-cut ticket variations from Johnny Vander Meer's ML record 2nd consecutive no-hitter. The red version is extremely scarce. This game was the also first night game at Ebetts Field.

[mcgwirecom]

AWESOME Scott!

[matty39]

missing three

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Congrats to everybody! Those are some awesome centerpieces that you posted so far!!

The centerpiece to my Nolan Ryan collection would probably be Ryan's game used glove from the 1989 season.
In 1989 he became the first and only pitcher to strike out 5,000 in a career. He also struck out 300 in a season for the sixth and final time (a record that has since been tied by Randy Johnson), threw 2 one-hitters (his last two; ML record 12 in a career), and was the winning pitcher in the 1989 All Star game in Anaheim (the oldest pitcher to ever win the All Star game).

It should be noted that there are two other centerpiece type items in my Ryan collection, which at least deserve honorable mention:
Ryan's game used home shirt from his historic 1973 season (2 no-hitters and ML record 383 K's) and his complete uniform from his last win (career win # 324 at Cleveland).

In my no-hitter collection it would probably be the two rare die-cut ticket variations from Johnny Vander Meer's ML record 2nd consecutive no-hitter in 1938. The red version is extremely scarce. This game was the also first night game at Ebetts Field.

Amazing stuff. I probably saw Ryan pitch close to thirty times, and have the ticket stubbs from all the games (somewhere). When he was with the Astros, we went to all the games leading up to his breaking Johnson's record - I have the program with him and Johnson on the cover, but he couldn't get it done at the Dome. Later, I went through the same pain watching him try to get win #300 in Arlington - I have the special no-hitters program and the '300 wins' program, but didn't see the 300th. I did; however, luck into being at the last no-hitter.

So the centerpiece of my Ryan collection is simply the stub from the last no-hitter, along with a fuzzy photo of me and my buddies in the outfield after the game ended.

[71buc]

These posts are always fun. I love to see the items others have in thier collections and often find myself very jealous of them. The Munson Jersey is awsome! My own favorites would be my 1976 Hank Aaron Spikes, the ball hit by McGwire for the AL Rookie Record, and my Roberto Clemente night autographed poster.

[Vintagecatcher]

As far as memorabilia, my favorite piece is my restored D&M Catcher Figural Trophy followed by a beautiful early D&M catchers' mitt. With regards to cards, my recent purchase of my Joseph Laughlin Old Mill Cabinet is probably my favorite card with my trimmed T4 Tiedemann a close second.


Patrick

[daves_resale_shop]

Since there are so many Gehrigs on this thread, I figured I would add mine! Gehrig Single signed Peerless Manufacturing minor league ball...

[deebro041]

Great stuff Patrick!!
Dan

[batsballsbases]

Mike,
Not to go unnoticed the Mantle and Jeter Gamers are just fantastic! As are all the other pieces so far.
Jimmy I must disagree about your centerpiece! You know I love Gehrig but hands down the autograph is 10X better than the picture !!! It ranks right up there with David As! Ruth Ball on the other post. Im surprised David hasnt put up a center piece item! Oh I guess he is to busy with his new business!

[patricka]

My favorite cub program in my collection even though it is an away game

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by batsballsbases

Mike,
Not to go unnoticed the Mantle and Jeter Gamers are just fantastic! As are all the other pieces so far.
Jimmy I must disagree about your centerpiece! You know I love Gehrig but hands down the autograph is 10X better than the picture !!! It ranks right up there with David As! Ruth Ball on the other post. Im surprised David hasnt put up a center piece item! Oh I guess he is to busy with his new business!

Hey Al. You must have missed my post on the first page. I chose my Gehrig Telegram as the centerpiece of my Memorabilia and my Gehrig Signed Post card 'To Jimmy' as my Autograph centerpiece. I mentioned that I needed some time to go through my photo collection to choose my centerpiece as that was by far my toughest choice!

OK Al. How about you. What Pin is your Centerpiece? Can't wait to see it.

[David Atkatz]

Originally Posted by batsballsbases

Im surprised David hasnt put up a center piece item! Oh I guess he is to busy with his new business!

"Busy" doesn't half describe it! I'm already looking to buy a bigger apartment, a Porsche, and a Gehrig game-worn home jersey.

But, here you go. It's not the most valuable piece, or the rarest, but it means the most to me. It was given to me in 1966 by the kindest woman I have ever known. It is one piece I would never part with.

[batsballsbases]

David,
Very nice piece. And Jimmy I stand corrected!! I will have to give that alot of thought Jimmy about the pin. Might have to be a few!

[ScottR81]

Got a couple here..

[batsballsbases]

Brock here is the close ups you wanted

[yanks12025]

Here is my center piece. I know its more than 1 but they are a group. 5 poster boards possibly made for the 50th ann. of the national league in 1926. The photos are from varies Old Judge sets. Robert from REA thinks there's 10 teams total, I have 5. I'm upset because I have yet to come across any other ones and no one has info where to find them.

[yanks12025]

Close-up of Munson from 1977 world series. Matches games 2 and 6 but not game 1.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by yanks12025

Close-up of Munson from 1977 world series. Matches games 2 and 6 but not game 1.

Brock,
This should not be a surprise that he wore more than one shirt in the World Series. I would suspect that they had two, FWIW. I think that it's awesome that you can photo match it to two WS games from 1977. Pretty neat!

[Leon]

Centerpiece? Probably this card and composite....but could easily be a few other items too.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Leon

Centerpiece? Probably this card and composite....but could easily be a few other items too.

Couldn't you find one that was centered a little better?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Runscott

Couldn't you find one that was centered a little better?

There was only a stack of 127 Peck and Snyders and this is the best I could find. What's a guy to do? I have told the story before about the CDV but I won it from a Mastro auction when they were selling Montgomery's collection. I put in a high bid and went to sleep only to find I had won it when I checked the next morning. I had no idea that my bid of about 25% of the value today would hold up. Even at the time it was about 5k short of where they had been selling.

[Runscott]

Originally Posted by Leon

There was only a stack of 127 Peck and Snyders and this is the best I could find. What's a guy to do? I have told the story before about the CDV but I won it from a Mastro auction when they were selling Montgomery's collection. I put in a high bid and went to sleep only to find I had won it when I checked the next morning. I had no idea that my bid of about 25% of the value today would hold up. Even at the time it was about 5k short of where they had been selling.

Well worth the gamble. If I ever have a huge chunk of disposable income again, I plan to go after one monster card (I mean, cdv) like this.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Here's an original 1964 photo of Rollie Fingers, having just won a High School Player of the Year award.............

[Exhibitman]

Nice items, fellows!

My collection of memorabilia is very modest but I do have a few personal favorites:


1920s PC Back Exhibit original art for Sammy Bohne card. I've never seen another piece of original art from the set:



Original art from a 1940s Lucille Ball Exhibit card:



1921 Exhibit machine header of Jack Dempsey:



Max Baer signed inscribed photo. Not only the nicest vintage signature I have but also signed during his reign as heavyweight champ:

[milkit1]

Originally Posted by matty39

missing three

those are KILLER!