December 2011 Pick-Ups
 

I was able to trade for another original photograph of the '27 Yanks to replace the one I traded to my good friend Mark/lordstan as part of our epic Ruth & Gehrig trade of last summer. I intend to hang on to this one, but you just never know... ;)

Attachment 50629

Very nice, Jimmy. Congrats!

Great photo Jimmy- congrats! ;)

+1 Jimmy - great 'hats off' shot. Wonder if Babe stuck his chewing gum right in his hair prior to the photo?

Good Call Scott. Underwood & Underwood did the hats off version. I was once the underbidder on that famous Ruth/Conlon photo with the Babe's wad of gum right on top of the button! And what's really great about that image is that the Bambino looked as serious as you'll ever see him. :D

Anybody else got any>?

I have a few photos that are in transit right now, including a very nice shot of a super young Mel Ott, so I'll have to hold off on posting those until they're in hand.

But, as per Jimmy's Conlon claim, this is an in-progress for a fellow board member:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...RuthConlon.jpg

If you didn't win that original, I can't even imagine what it really went for!!

Graig

PERFECT Brudah... as always! The Gum looks much better in Kreindlercolor. (Kreindlercolor Trademarked by DMD)

If I had won that photo, I would have had to sell many terrific pieces in order to raise the funds, that is certain.

Wow - another amazing piece. It's tough not being a Yankees fan sometimes!

I have a couple of Ott photos arriving as well, 1933 and 1934. His camera pose was so classic - every shot looks like it could have been used for a card.

St. Paul Saints
 

One of my coolest St. Paul Saints items. Their 1920 American Association Championship Trophy.

Chris

Watch Fob
 

I also bought St. Paul Saints' manager Mike Kelley's presentation watch fob. The front reads, "A.A. Champions: 1919, '20, '22" and the back is inscribed "M. J. Kelley."

Nice pickup Chris. It's beautiful!!

Holy Grail no-hitter tickets finally found...
 

I just found one of my ticket collecting holy grails today.

In 1968 (the year of the pitcher), a very rare occurance happened at historic Candlestick Park in SF. On September 17, 1968 HOF'ers Gaylord Perry and Bob Gibson matched up in a true pitching duel for the ages. On this day Perry was up to the challenge as he bested a pitcher Gibson that was enjoying one of the greatest season's ever (1.12 ERA en route to the pitcher's triple crown). Perry no-hit the World Champion Cardinals 1-0.

Not to be outdone, the Cards' Ray Washburn returned the favor by no-hitting the SF Giants 2-0 less than 16 hours later the following day! A miniscule 4700 fans attended the Washburn no-hitter at "The Stick". :eek:

Amazingly, I actually acquired the ticket for the lucky fan that was witness to baseball history in the making. The patron was a die hard SF Giants season ticket holder named Lena Pontier. She became a season ticket holder when the NY Giants relocated to San Francisco in 1958 and attended almost every game through the Bay Bridge World Series in 1989.

Note that Lena had an unbeliveable seat to witness all this baseball history- Section 1, Box 1. Here is a look at her tickets and dated complimentary parking passes to Perry's and Washburn's back-to-back no-hitters in 1968. :cool:

Holy grail pickup photo
 

Here is the photo. For some reason it didn't make it on the 1st post! Doh!!

Wow Scott, way to end the year on a high note. Of course, you still have 30 days left :eek:

That is sweet! As a Giants Fan...I'm glad to have seen this item! Makes me recall the time as I was a kid sitting in the swirling winds..when the stadium was still not enclosed.... :D

Ricky Y

Those are some very cool tickets Scott -- what a no hitter collection you've built!
Being a Giants fan, I remember those back to back no hitters very well. Amazingly, if I recall correctly without looking it up, the very same thing happened again the next year, I think right around the same time as the moon landing.

Greg

Back-to-back no-hitters
 

Hey Ricky and Greg,

Here is a big shout out to all Giants fans. I thought you might like seeing a 1968 signed Gaylord Perry no-hitter program from his big day on Sept. 17th.- the 1st of the back-to-back no-hitters. :D

Scott:

If I recall correctly, Jim Maloney (Reds) and Don Wilson (Astros) also pitched back to back no-hitters in the late '60s. I was just a little kid, but that's how I think I remember it. I attended the Maloney no-no, and then I believe Wilson came right back and pitched his the following evening.

Both games were at Crosley Field... at least that's how I am remembering it from 40+ years ago.

Anyway... just curious as to whether you have either of those Tickets? I figured if anyone does, it would be you! I wish I had the knowledge way back then to save mine, but it is long-gone :(

Thanks Greg, Ricky, Mike amd Mark...

Greg and Mark, your memories are flawless!

The following year on April 30, 1969 Jim Maloney pitched his 2nd career no-hitter against the visiting Houston Astros, defeating them 10-0.

The very next day Astros fireballer Don Wilson duplicated the Perry Washburn back-to back no-hitter feat from a year earlier. Don Wilson also pitched his 2nd no-hitter against the hometown Reds 4-0 in front of another incredibly small crowd. Only 4,400 attended Wilson's masterpiece. After searching for this ticket for 39 years, I also finally found it in 2011. :D

NOTE: Wilson's life ended suddenly at age 31 in 1974 when he died of carbon monoxide poisoning.

BTW, the only other time that back-to-back no-hitters occured in ML history was in 1917 when Ernie Koob and Bob Groom did it in St. Louis.

Sorry, I don't have either of these to show! ;)

Just returned from shopping and found this in the mail... Santa came early for me! :D

Iconic 1948 TYPE 1 Pulitzer Prize Winning Photograph by Nat Fein - "Babe Bows Out"

It has some condition issues as there is a lot of crazing and a sharp paper clip crease on the bottom edge, that does NOT break through. :D All in all, I'm thrilled beyond belief. In something as important as this photo is, content trumps condition every single time!

I never dreamed that I would have been fortunate enough to acquire the four Ruth photos that I have in the last few months. Someone's watching over me... :)

Attachment 50676

Great pick up Jimmy! I have always loved that photo although it brings a lot of sadness with it.

Nice Jimmy!! That's Bob Feller's bat that Babe is carrying on to the field. BTW, that bat is on display at the Bob Feller museum in Van Meter, IA if you ever want to visit it....

Thanks, I really appreciate that!

Chris

Spectacular find Jimmy - and the collection just gets bigger (and better)!!!

Thanks for all the nice words guys! And Bugsy, that fob is sweet! It really pops. Great pick-up.

And Mike, 30 days for Scott is like a year or two for the rest of us! ;) Scott started 2011 on fire and he continues on his amazing streak! Week after week. Jeez Scott, don't you work? Man, I thought I was possessed, but you make me look like a little kid. I've never seen anyone run so good for so long. :confused: Keep it up Buddy! :)

And in case anyone hasn't noticed yet. The sheer madness & bliss that is Henry Yee auctions, went live yesterday and the photos start listing later today! :D

Here's a link. And good luck to all, unless your bidding against me! :rolleyes:

http://www.ebay.com/sch/hyee_auction...4&_sop=1&_sc=1

Hey Scott. What are those cameo type photos of Maloney & Wilson. I've never seen anything like them. Do you have more?

Jimmy,
Once again you come up with the stuff. I saw what else you bought and am VERY jealous. Those are some sweet pics.

Scott,
Those back to back No hit tickets are sick. You pull stuff out of nowhere. Just wonderful.

best,
Mark (who is sad as he has nothing new to post:(:()

Hey Jimmy,
Those cameo type photos I make myself. It's something that I came up with to better display my no-hit tickets.

I collect no-hit pitcher postcards (signed preferrably), some team issued, some Burke/Brace, some actual RPPC or 3 x 5 photos. Mostly I prefer B/W, but I do have some that are in color when I can't find one in B/W.

With tickets in my no-hitter collection, I manufacture these cameos by making color copies of these postcards and diminish or enlarge the image to custom "fit" the cameo portion. I make color copies of B/W to get better quality copies. Finally, I use a cameo shape template to cut out the image and mount it with glue stick to a white, unlined 3 x 5 index card.

When you look at my no-hitter ticket collection, I have the tickets in toploaders with a second top loader behind it with the photo cameo card in a toploader facing forward, with a signed 3 x 5 or GPC signature of the pitcher on the backside of the cameo. My no-hitter tickets are stored in albums in chronological order in 3 pocket pages. It makes for a great way to store them and look through them as a collection.

It takes a little time to do this when you are starting from scratch, but I have been working on these cameos as a project over the last 2-3 winters.

What can I say, winters are long around here, and a guy with too much time on his hands gets bored... :p

Very interesting and creative.

I only have one no-hitter stub - from Ryan's 7th that I attended. I used to have it displayed with a signed no-hitter poster, but the poster overwhelmed it.

Recently I picked up a wire photo from the no-hitter that is much smaller - trying to come up with something creative to display the ticket along with a photo of my friends after the game. I guess the next thing to do would be to get a signature on a smaller item?

Funny, I've been retired now for 6 months and I never seem to have as much time on my hands as you do Scott :D Seems like my wife always makes sure I have something to do around the house. I'm starting to think she's breaking stuff just so I keep busy. :eek:

I was going to wait until it arrived to post it Mark but since you've got me under surveillance and undoubtedly on double secret probation, I'll go ahead and give it up. ;)

Just picked up this 1937 TYPE 1 Lou Gehrig photo yesterday that I've had my eye on for quite a long time now...

Attachment 50699Attachment 50700

A suggestion Scott...
 

Consider framing your photo of you and your buddies up with the 7th no-hitter "I was there" certificate of attendance and your ticket double matted w/ red and Ranger blue. It would look sharp!

Here is a scan of mine which is unframed. I got Ryan and his 7th no-hitter catcher to sign it quite a few years back. Both players occasionally do signings.

I may have an extra 7th no-hitter certificate around here that I might donate to your project if you like the idea.

PLMK

Jimmy,
No surveillance or probation for you dude. I was following that pic and asked/offered him trade including the Ruth scowl pic but he didn't want it. I just happened to notice who bought it because of the Fein.
You are soooooo lucky I didn't have the cash... or you might've had to pay more for it.:rolleyes::D
It is beautiful. Congrats on the great pick up.

Scott, that is a great idea! I didn't even know that "I was there" certificates existed. At some point I'll scan the items and post - I'm not in the photo, as I was taking it :)

I always liked Mike Stanley - scary as a fielder, but a lot of enthusiasm and a decent clutch hitter.

Edited to add: I went on a free 'Winn Dixie' night ticket, so it doesn't look like a normal stub. The advantage to this was I picked up a few of extras that people had thrown on the ground during the game, and gave a nice one to my brother and other friends. I was quite sick that day and my buddies in the photo had to almost drag me there - it was the first game as an adult that I did not drink a beer at the game.

Gehrig
 

With all due respect to my family and friends, this has to be the "nicest" Christmas card I have ever received in the mail. The card is signed in black ink on the front side and pencil on the back. I would be interested in any information anyone might be able to provide that can tie a person named "Mazie" to Lou Gehrig such as a friend, relative, etc. as I am always trying to find out the most I can about the items in my collection. Thanks much for any help.

Happy Holidays to all here and a safe and properous New Year and good luck in all of your future collecting.

a Craig's List pick up from yesterday...
 

First off, that's a nice Christmas card, Dave, but it's too bad someone named 'Lou' wrote all over it:D. And why did he have to sign it twice? Bummer:)

Guys....Here's my recent pickup from Craig's list, of all places. Supposedly this was in the wall of the guy's grandparents house and was found years ago while doing restoration. From my limited research, I believe this old ball is called a 'belt ball' and dates from the mid 19th century (please correct me if I'm wrong). It's 3 pieces and as seen in the photos, the one side came loose years ago with the rolled inner fabric strips exposed. I was disappointed to see the loose piece at first, but then decided it was kind of cool to see the 'inner workings' of this old ball.....kind of like one of those engine diagrams on display at auto shows (so, IMO, sort of like 'bad news, not so bad/slightly good news'). The ball measures almost 9" in circumference at it's widest girth, so it's a bit larger than some of the other ones I came across in my research.

Matt

That is a real HONEY Matt. Very tough ball and on par with lemon peels.

Awesome Matt!!!

I think Pickles would like it.

You sure that is real? Cause if it's the same auction I seen, it had nothing but fakes in the auction?

You beat me to the punch; doesn't look good at all to me

Feller Vintage
 

Just picked up this sweet Bob Feller signed ball. I know, I know, how rare is a Bob Feller signed ball? Well I bought it because it is from his playing days and on a beautiful Ford Frick ball.

Beautiful vintage Feller Ball, Randall! Congrats! :D

Gehrig
 

Thanks Matt for your "nice" comments. I like your ball as well. I was very pleased to get this for my collection. As far as a couple other members comments here, you are welcome to your opinions. I myself think the "L" is slightly smaller in size than the "G" in Gehrig with the o in Lou being closed since this is probably a 30's signed piece. If you look closely, there is a slight break after the G and the e in Gehrig and more so of the one on the pencil sig. The slant of the small g also looks to be similar with a variation of less than 10 degrees as well. I won't continue.... but I am "comfortable" with adding this signature to my collection and that is what matters. The card was acquired in a "Sunshine" state auction and I woud have bought a few more that I thought were good as well...a nice Wagner, Frank Baker letter, Bill Klem and even a double signed Cobb were fine but did not have more $$. I might add that there were "many" autographs in that auction that did not look good as well.
This Gehrig will not appear anywhere anytime soon so no worries guys.

My autographs seldom make an appearance but since there are "authenticators" out there who things don't look good at all to and might not be "real", will share a first timer........Would be interested in getting "opinions" on this one pictured below. Take your "BEST LOOKS" and then read the rest after.

Never been on the market--never on the internet--better get your data bases going here--rare rare rare--can't be GOOD...gotta be a fake....where is the slant--where is the flow--where is the "red" pen--never used pencil--you can almost read every letter--sort of like an early (MJ)--never signed that way--on the back of a movie promo for a Marx brothers film--what--------you say this person did a movie with them in 1949???? Oop!!!!!!! Oh, maybe this vintage cut Type I proof nonsense pencil signature grading perhaps a 6/7 is in fact really legit...lol--Well...I guess it would have to maybe be deemed "Likely Genuine" as it is in fact an--------- "IN PERSON" autograph...
Say it ain't so Joe!!!!!!!!!!

Happy Holidays everyone.

(My momma always said)..."if you don't have something nice to say about someone--don't say anything at all." Good night Jim-Bob.

pickups
 

I would have the ink and the pencil graphite tested first! Look a little suspect to me!;););) Oh educated experts we could use a little help here.:D:D

Picked this up on eBay to go with my Wilkes Barre/Scranton collection. Might have over paid slightly not really sure of the value but it was a have to have item. I recently picked up the matching Scranton program as well. Best part is the pictured player on the 3rd base position is a 19 year old future hall of famer Bob Lemon.

(My momma always said)..."if you don't have something nice to say about someone--don't say anything at all." Good night Jim-Bob.[/QUOTE]


I guess never mind that were trying to help you out from you wasting money. But I guess a better person couldn't have bought them then, I seen the auction and could tell right away none of them looked right. If alot are fakes, then 99.9 percent of the time they are all fakes. But as long as your happy thinking it's real that's what matters.

Here's the auction of fakes. Coaches corner of Florida..

http://www.auctionzip.com/aflive.htm...by=1&order=asc

Just arrived in the mail yesterday.

I picked this one up on ebay today. I love vintage advertising with a baseball theme. I thought this was a nice piece and a bit unusual. It's the first time I have ever come across one of these. I almost passed on it. However, it always seems that when I hesitate I wind up kicking myself for it later.

Turn of Century Cabinet photo...................
 

Picked up a REALLY interesting collection with some oddball items in it this weekend. I was thinking this stuff doesn't exist much anymore but thank you Craigslist!

Just listed the attached cabinet photo on Ebay if anyone is interested. 1 penny min bid.

Item #270867065806

Baseball Cabinet Photo New York Military Academy Team Bats Gloves Balls 1890s


Thanks! mike

Walter Johnson 99th shutout ticket
 

I just picked up a ticket stub to Walter Johnson's 99th career shutout- Opening Day 1924. Johnson still is the ML's shutout leader by a mile. He ended his career with 110 shutouts. His next closest competitor is Grover Cleveland Alexander with 90. To put this in perspective, HOF'er Nolan Ryan threw a lot of shutouts, but only ended up with 61......

This was a World Championship year for the Washington Senators; the only one that The Big Train ever won. This is the game that launched the Senators' push towards their eventual championship...

Jeez Scott. You're on a longer streak then DiMaggio ever had! ;) BTW... When in the hell did you get that Johnson/Bain Photo? :eek: IMO that is the finest of all Johnson images. And a helluva ticket as well!

I picked up this c. 1960's vintage original Elektra Records promotional photograph featuring Jim Morrison of The Doors. This 8 1/2" x 11 photo has a "Gloria Stavers Collection" stamp on the reverse and comes from her estate. Stavers was the former Editor of 16 Magazine, and a very early supporter of The Doors, as well as a former lover of Morrison... but then again, who wasn't. ;)

Attachment 50871

Mariano Rivera 2001 Game Used ball

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...Usedball-1.jpg

MLB Game Used hologram
Session Product Description: GAME USED BALLS
Game: ORIOLES VS. YANKEES
Session Name: CAL RIPKEN FAREWELL TOUR
Session Date: September 21, 2001
Autographer:
Authenticator: AUTHENTICATORS, INC.
Additional Information: GAME USED BASEBALL

Nice pick-up, JD

Thanks Jimmy! The ticket is a cool pickup & the significance relating to 1924 for Walter Johnson is perfect. Unfortunately I don't personally own the Bain photo of Walter Johnson. I'm with you in that I really think this is one of my favorites that I've seen on Johnson. That's why I saved the image.

BTW, I've always been a huge Doors fan. This is the music that I grew up on. I love this photo! Great pickup and the significance of where it came from is awesome. I used to work a sales territory in west LA. Sometimes I would purposely drive out of the way in the late 1980's to look at the abandoned Electra Records building. I wonder if it's still there?

D&M BB Cleats and Best Melon I've ever seen
 

I actually got these very end end of last month....but November has come and gone so I'll post it here

<a href="http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/?action=view&amp;current=DMBBCleats.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/DMBBCleats.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

Above is a pair of D&M baseball cleats from the turn of the century...I got them based on I know early high top cleats hardly exsist and the sellers claim they were the best he'd handled in his career...I beleive they're the first pair of early high tops I've seen for sale...They must have been stored in a well sealed trunk as I've never seen leather from the turn of the century so supple...it's like they're brand new!...though the soles appear to have very slight wear...and the tag is mint!...phew!

<a href="http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/?action=view&amp;current=1Top.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/1Top.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

The same dealer said the same thing about this melon ball...best he'd ever handled...and that got my attention...hated to spend the money but I know melon footballs...and I knew the rounded shape was very early....Sure enough when I held it I was blown away....it's the oldest football I've ever seen in person...the patina screams 1880 even though the leather is supple....Plus another big bonus was it was found at Girard College in Philadelphia...so I know it's American!!!....at least played with in America...that's a whole lengthy subject of it's own as far as imported footballs in the late 19th century...I wish I had the time to do a deep research story on it...Anyway...took me twenty five years to find a ball this good!...It's filled with some kind of polly fill to hold it's shape. I was considering having a bladder put in but may leave it as is...I was told if I took the laces apart there might be a makers mark inside...but I hate to disturb it.

The only other melon football I've seen this good was one I saw last May in the Yale trophy room...which you can read about here...that one would shut down north America!

<a href="http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/?action=view&amp;current=5LacesClose.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/5LacesClose.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/?action=view&amp;current=4Back.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/4Back.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/?action=view&amp;current=2SideUp.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/2SideUp.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

<a href="http://s213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/?action=view&amp;current=3SideDown.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/3SideDown.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

INCREDIBLE stuff so far, guys - what a way to end the year!!

Finally got this guy in the mail, and I'm pretty darn stoked:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b1...ler/MelOtt.jpg

Obviously, it looks like a dog got its teeth around it, but as per usual, for my purposes it's wonderful. And the price was VERY right. I'm hoping it'll make one hell of a painting.

Graig

Christmas must have changed to the first part of the month. I received a wonderful gift from Jimmy (TheKingofclout) today. A beautiful 1942 Type 1 movie still from Pride of the Yankees. Pride of the Yankees is my all time favorite baseball movie and this will have a special place in my collection.
Jimmy is truly one of the good guys in the hobby. Thanks Jimmy!

1958 Giants Pinback P/U....ever seen it?
 

Awesome pickups, there Carlton!
My one question is how the hell did someone wear those early D & M high- topped baseball spikes and yet the original tag remains intact. That's pretty incredible in it's own right!

Beautiful football and baseball spikes- first rate pickups for your incredible collection!

1958 Giants pin - Carlton question
 

The wording seems strange.." I like S.F. Giants in 58" "....Why did they include "in 58'"?...I speculate they may have given these pins out in anticipation of the Giants arriving from NY...I just don't know...Has anyone seen this pin before?

Carlton,
I have not seen this '58 Giants pinback before, but I would suspect that you are absolutely correct. 1958 was obviously the year that baseball and the San Francisco Giants came to northern California. Neat 1st year SF Giants pickup.

The rest of your research is pretty amazing. Cool!

Congrats Carlton on yet another stellar pick-up!

Just got home from work and was very pleased to see that I had won this terrific 1961 Maris & Mantle Baseball Cap...

Attachment 50962Attachment 50963

Attachment 50964Attachment 50965

Attachment 50966

Thanks
 

See post below...Leon, Snafu, please delete this post

Thanks
 

pick ups
 

Hi Carlton,
Your pin is known as a welcome pin and you are right its about the Giants moving from New York to San Fran. It is listed in Pauls book and it does say that Milton F Kreis was a drug store on Powell and Geary Streets. Listed as pin C-5 has a value at between 75-150.

pick ups
 

Jimmy,
Love that mantle maris cap. I cant ever remember seeing that one. Nice to see the 1961 copyright. Here is a pin I picked up which I never saw before also. 3 1/4 inch in size. From the shell oil co. Very happy to get this one Jimmy1:eek:

Giants
 

Nice pickup Carlton. There were a handful of businesses that participated in the welcoming with buttons in the same style. Here's another. There's a Lefty O'Doul's one that I just missed out on at a show once that I'd like to have.
<a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i194.photobucket.com/albums/z228/andypcl/welcomesfgiants-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>

I missed this snap when Heritage sold it a while back. The winner slabbed it--wadda ya gonna do?
Anyway, happy to have it now.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...hrigsnap-1.jpg

David,
Awesome pickup!! :eek:

Thanks, Scott. BTW, that no-hit ticket collection of yours is simply incredible!

Hey Carlton. That Yellow Kid made me think of this...
 

:eek: Separated at Birth? :eek:

Attachment 51110Attachment 51111

absolutely!! ;)

LOVE THAT MOVIE and dueling Banjo's scene:)

Thanks all
 

I've been after one of these Connie Mack banks for a long time. This one is in fantastic condition. I had no idea they are as large as they are. I placed one of the common banks we have all seen many times as a size reference.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...0/IMG_2222.jpg

I was happy to add some new pinbacks as well. The Briggs Stadium pin is a tough one to find.
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...11064021PM.jpg

Mike- That Athletics bank is in real nice shape. More often than not these are found with condition issues such as scratches and dents. I am glad it went to you. Great pick-up, they don't surface too often. Adam

Picked up an interesting Nebraska Indians postcard...the seller did not know these players were from Green's Nebraska Indians..and I had to set my photobucket to private last week so nobody else would figure it out. :D

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ebindians1.jpg http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ebindians2.jpg

I knew as soon as I saw the auction that these guys played for the NI because I already had this postcard in my collection..same uniforms and same exact photo studio.

http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...am/greens1.jpg

Not real vintage but I'm jazzed just the same. A signed 1962 Post Cereal card of Roger Maris.
Leaves just Del Webb to complete the entire 61 team.

Yellow Kid is indeed widely considered to be the first "comic character" though his "strips" were typically single-panel gags. He was also one of the first characters to be licensed for product advertising, and you'll see his image in lots more places than just newspapers and buttons of the period. The buttons you saw on eBay look to be from a numbered series of 155 Yellow Kid buttons produced in 1896-98, though I can't make out the numbers in the photos due to the bad discoloration. The buttons are listed in Ted Hake's button books, and you could probably match them up to better-looking exemplars if you dig enough in the Hake's Americana completed auction listings. Most of the other buttons in the series have country flags or generic sayings, so ones referencing a specific university would likely carry a premium.