Your top finds for 2011
 

I know the year is not over yet...but I thought I'd show a few of mine...

1955 Dodgers Shaeffer Beer Table Card unused....

http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...erpostcard.jpg


1954 Baseball Pictorial Advertising Post Card
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...51Postcard.jpg

1954 Baseball Pictorial Advertising Post Card (Back)
http://i74.photobucket.com/albums/i2...stcardBack.jpg

I've enjoyed looking at everyone's memorabilia acquitions this year and I wish all of you the best wishes during the holidays and in the coming year and continued luck in your hunt for those elusive treasures on your want lists! :D

Ricky Y

It's been a good year. First, my Grover Cleveland Alexander signed baseball.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m...LAlexander.jpg

Coming in second is my Rube Walberg 15th career win baseball. This baseball was the final pitch in Rube's June 15th, 1926 complete game shutout over the Cleveland Indians. The baseball is inscribed by Walberg and came with an LOA from his daughter. HOFer Joe Sewell made the last out.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/walberg1.jpg


A Carl Horner original photo of Bob Ewing. Circa 1903.

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m...s/BobEwing.jpg


Lastly, an AP Leifield signed T206

http://s107.photobucket.com/albums/m...ifieldAuto.jpg

I'm going with my favorite collecting catagories

Pennants/Cubs Memorabilia
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...0/IMG_2179.jpg
Trophies
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...IMG_1709-1.jpg
Figurals
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...0/IMG_2191.jpg
Pinbacks
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...060844PM-1.jpg
Tigers Memorabilia
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...0/IMG_2213.jpg
Glassware
http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q...km90/ak120.jpg

Saved a ton of shipping, by picking this up at Huggins & Scott, its 5 feet high and weighs a ton.
Cool piece, I enjoy it every day.

http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphot..._1967806_n.jpg

A Couple
 

Seldom seen Cardinals Pennant (not sure of year)

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../BST/cards.jpg

USFL Game Helmet

http://i152.photobucket.com/albums/s.../showboats.jpg

These two pinbacks were my favorite pick-ups of 2011...


http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...PM1WagnerA.jpghttp://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...mondGumPin.jpg

But these cabinets are right up there...


http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...3TurkeyRed.jpghttp://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...W600Chance.jpg


And just received this pack with all 10 cigarettes present...

http://i488.photobucket.com/albums/r...icanBeauty.jpg

Had a pretty good year, but once I had the bandana framed, easily my best pickup. I also like the silk.

great stuff. Jay - does that mean that 54 topps made their cards available to buy out of that vending machine or was that done special by a store owner? is it attached to the exhibit machine? way cool.

Here are some of the highlights of what I was able to add to my eclecticollection this year. Anyone else not have a specialty to their collection but rather just pick up what hits them as something they want?

thanks for the thread. haven't had much time to enjoy my stuff of late..
Peter

Fantastic Campy!
Does it have a postcard back?

campy
 

thanks. yes it has a postcard back. i was happy to find it. I've only seen the team shots of campy on his mexican team.

My favorite pickup of the year, 1897 Louis Sockalexis pinback

Also, added an additional shot of Campy in Mexican League uniform as an 18 year old, not a postcard on this one.

That Sockalexis pin is great.
Where on earth did you find it?

It was actually an ebay find. A guy from Cleveland had it and I think he got it at a Military show from a pin/button dealer. I wish I found it hidden and paid next to nothing for it, but it cost me a very pretty penny. But hey, its just money, I have been collecting Sockalexis for 10+ years actively and never seen this pin, only a rumor that it existed.

Rhys

Its only money. ..wow..

nice pin tho.

"Its just money" (quoting myself)/

That was a joke BTW, I am faaar from wealthy, especially with 6 kids under the age of 10. What I was trying to say in a way that might have missed its humor to some is that money comes and goes but certain items you may have one shot at in this world and if you dont find a way to purchase them when they come up for sale you may never have the chance to own it ever. I'll eat ramen noodles for a while if I have too. Hopefully you get that it was supposed to be funny now.

holy moly!
 

holy cow, peter f...amazing stuff...what's the story with those cufflinks..they are amazing!!!

Sorry sir. I guess I just get upset/jealous too bout certain things. That is a wonderful pin, and I didn't mean to offend anyone on here.

Scott Roberts

1941 Bob Feller 11x17 Poster
 

By far my favorite "find" this year was this 1941 11x17 sepia poster of Bob Feller. The image is a van oeyen photo, and it has a facsimile auto in the lower right hand corner. I have it framed now and displays quite well, despite its overall vg condition. Had never seen this item before, and would love to know more about its history, distribution, etc.

Cobb and Honus sheet music

1920 St. Paul Saints championship trophy and manager Mike Kelley's presentation watch fob.

Piedmont fan

Hey Jay... that is a tremendous piece! Man oh man, what a display piece. Congrats on that, Jay!

I sat out the first half of the year focusing on Beatles memorabilia. But I got on a good streak after the All-Star break. ;) Here are the Ruth photos I added to my collection since my August trade with my friend Mark, AKA lordstan...

Attachment 51444Attachment 51441

Attachment 51442Attachment 51443

Not vintage but by far my best. Game ticket to the debut of the first kid that I coached to make the show.


http://net54baseball.com/picture.php...pictureid=3525

Previously posted in the November pickup thread, this is easily my favorite find of the year.

Nice stuff by all!
 

Peter - I just love the tuxedo buttons, especially with the T206s poses on them.

I don't pick up much as a far as memorabilia, but I stumbled across this at the National this year and couldn't pass it up.


Jantz

Congratulations! Was it Mason Tobin? I remember how happy I was when a high school teammate of mine made his Major League Debut back in 2004. I recorded the game to DVD and sent it to him at the stadium. Talked to him after the season and he was absolutely thrilled that I did that for him.

I gotta admit it... I'm a sucker for signed snapshots.

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...uthcarsnap.jpg

David, you say that like it's a bad thing!!

G

I agree David...

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...e20collins.jpg

A few others from the year...

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...ld/Lincoln.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...d/Lincoln1.jpg
http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...icotteT206.jpg

A couple of mine. A Wichita Indians flannel, 1978 Pirates jersey and Topeka postcard with Duff Cooley

Vintage, Original Type I photo of Mickey dated December 1950 and taken by Orrick Sparlin of Miami, Oklahoma, who covered Mantle exclusively in and around Commerce from 1950-52.

This iconic image (which has been reproduced in a countless number of publications) depicts the 19 year old Mick covered in grease and dust in front of Blue Goose Number One Mine at the Eagle-Picher Lead and Zinc Company where he was working 300 feet down repairing motors for the pump crew. Mickey was also waiting nervously to hear back from the Yankees regarding reporting to Spring Training in Phoenix - but he had no phone at home and Lee MacPhail, director of the farm system, did not know where he worked. Doesn't seem to be bothering him at this moment as indicated by that great smile.

In addition to the fantastic image, what I really like about this photo is the original frame which hung in the main office of Eagle-Picher with the inscription " An Employee of Eagle Picher before Employment by the New York Yankees"

A one of a kind pre-rookie photo of Mantle that sheds some light on what his future might have been had his Dad not been so determined that baseball was his destiny.

A few of my favorite
 

Hello, I'm a new member here. But here are a few of my favorite finds of the year.

Travis Jackson 1923 Master bat- From the H&B archives via Left Field Collectables. Sidewritten 8-29-23 and confirmed in Vince Malta's book. This is from his rookie season and first order of bats from H&B.

Attachment 51484

Pete Rose Gamer from 1979

Attachment 51485

Last but not least.. Ty Cobb 1905-1911 Decal bat. 34.5" long made to his exact spec's

Attachment 51487
Attachment 51488

Very cool Mantle photo.

Bought very few items this year but here are my two favorites.


Belgium note signed by Mel Ott and others on a USO Tour during the Battle of the Bulge.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...y/banknote.jpg

Letter from Eddie Collins to Otey Clark mentioning his draft status. Otey was a friend of mine. I was always curious why Otey never served in WWII but never wanted to ask. This letter answered my question.

http://i187.photobucket.com/albums/x...ry/letters.jpg

Obtained both via dumb luck.

Rhys,
Ain't it the truth! Great pin & a perfect pickup for your collection. Congrats!

Jon, that Cicotte auto is SICK. What lovely penmanship he had.

G

Happy Holidays!!!!!
 

Vintage, original 1951 Acme NewsPictures Photo (negative #979672 with original slug) taken September 16 at Yankee Stadium with 19 year old Mantle facing Bob Feller. Mickey flied out this time but the Yankees won 5-1 to move back into first place. Catcher is Jim Hegan and Ump is Bill Summers.

Got this one in a large purchase from a NY City sports writer who covered all sports in the 1940's-50's. Just love it!!! Mickey's poised stance ready to uncoil, the 50th anniversary patch and rippling muscles in his left forearm are all great. But even better is the expression on Feller's face - ready to destroy!!!

As a new member to the forums this year, I just wanted to thank everyone for their kind and informative interactions and wish everybody a Happy Holiday Season and Joyous New Year!!!!!

Cheers,

Craig

Great Thread
 

1908 Saline, Mi. pillow case print of my home town with baseball team.

Two Navin Field (Briggs/Tiger) Stadium Box Seats.

Those were great finds D...congrats!

Thanks Mike should I repaint them or leave them as they are? I bought the paint but can't seem get myself to paint them. Would like to hear what you would do. :confused:

My Lou Gehrig original photos that I picked-up in 2011...

Attachment 51527Attachment 51528

Attachment 51529Attachment 51530

DON'T PAINT!!! Leave them as-is. They will no longer be original and you could forever regret that move. It's something you cannot re-do. So what if they show some wear! That is part of their "story" (and what makes them interesting). Plus, they don't even look that bad... still very attractive, IMHO.

Hope you consider this before you break out the paint. In fact, you'd better return that paint to the store, until the temptation subsides!

Jimmy...

I just love the pensive photo of Gehrig selecting his Bat. What a Kreindler Masterpiece that one would make! Very thoughtful and interesting image. In fact, they're all equally amazing. Congrats!

D...do not under ANY circumstances paint those seats. I am in complete agreement with Mark on this point. I've never understood the refinishing of seats of historical significance. I would never purchase refinished seats. If I wanted them to look new, I would buy new seats or refinished highschool or college seating.

Yours look GREAT. :)

I guess my favorite piece would be this 1950 Mantle minor league Type I that I picked up here on Net54.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...tleJoplinF.jpg

Or this signed Musial RC. Bought the card raw & sent it to Stan's company to have it signed.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...e/IMG_0480.jpg

I think it might be time for Stan to retire from signing.

I had to give a second take, I thought Lou was ahead of his time and on the cell phone with Eleanor about what to pick up at the grocery on the way home!

Top Finds for 2011
 

2011 has probably been my best year ever for pickups. It's tough to choose which I like best, but here are my favorites starting with early 2011:

1) Nolan Ryan 1973 All Star locker plate. 1973 was the first year that Ryan played in the Mid-Summer Classic, from what I believe was his career year! Purchased here on net54.

2) HOF Ted Lyons 1926 no-hitter ticket and scorebook. The beautifully scored games in the scorebook and ticket all originated from the estate of the original owner, George Tarallo who attended the game at age 15. Discovered in an antique shop in Caimbridge, Mass by a friend of a friend. Transaction completed over a smartphone. Awesome!!!

3) HB Dutch Leonard game used ball from his no-hitter game in 1916 at Fenway. This ball was passed down through one family and appeared in the hobby for the 1st time in 2011 almost 100 years later. The storyline behind the ball, the game, and the way that it displays makes this perhaps one of my favorite items in my collection, period. A great vintage centerpiece to my no-hitter collection. Purchased on eBay from an antique dealer in Rochester, NY.

4) Season pass to 1901 St. Louis Cardinals. The only known example of a pass or ticket to HOF Christy Mathewson's 1st no-hitter. This came to me as a gift. What a gift! Thanks Tony!

5) Season tickets to Gaylord Perry's and Ray Washburn's back-to-back no-hitters that they threw on Sept. 17th and 18th, 1968. Also see the complimentary wire photo that I just purchased from Perry congratulating Washburn in the locker after his historic encore. The newspaper caption on the back of the photo reads "Lightning Strikes Twice!". Indeed!

Happy Holidays to everyone on net54! I hope you all had a great year as well! :D

Favorite pickups of the year
 

Great pickups everyone, looks like all of us had a good year collecting.
Here are several of my favorites. I focus on 3 areas of collecting - the Phila. Eagles and Frankford Yellowjackets, and then to a lesser extend Carlisle Indians pieces. My favorite 2 Eagles pickups were 2 very rare pennants. I had been hunting the brown Eagle 1960 champs variety for about 10 years, while the other is the first example of its type I've ever encountered.
Then my next 3 favorite pickups are 3 early Carlisle Indians cabinet photos, all which include Pop Warner. The first 2, I am still working to narrow down the exact year. The first one below I am fairly certain is a cabinet photo of the 1901 team. In the photo, is college HOFer Carlisle standout Jimmy Johnson, but even neater, sitting next to the Eskimo player in the front row is a young Chief Bender. He played football for Carlisle in 1900 and 1901. The 2nd photo, I believe is 1899. It obviously has a fair amout of damage, but I still love it. Lastly I picked up a massive imperial cabinet photo of the 1909 Carlisle team in its original frame in a large trade with a fellow collector. Time to make some wall space now.
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...glesChamps.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...lespennant.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...rlislecab1.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...rlisecab1b.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...rlislecab2.jpg
http://i395.photobucket.com/albums/p...rlislecab3.jpg

Surprisingly, not a book (still looking though), but one real photo postcard

http://farm7.staticflickr.com/6012/6...8e898ec5_b.jpg

Very cool Max. Was the Wenatchee team also called the Apple Sox at that time?

Mike

From what I've been told, this Wenatchee team was an amateur team (the Victoria team was part of the NWL) Not sure if they had a nickname.

Max

Thanks Max I have been to a number of games in Wenatchee and always thought it was a cool team name. I was just curious if there was a historic connection in addition to the agricultural one. It is a beautiful item nonetheless.

Congrats to everyone for some incredible pickups!

I suppose these would be my "Top 5" for 2011....

Mark,

I would have to say that those are 5 pretty good picks!! :eek:
You have a great eye for what items you pick up for your collection. BTW, I love the Joe D. candy bowl. It just pops because of all of the color....

Congrats to all the people that have posted on this thread so far. I'm amazed at the quality of the items that everyone found in 2011! :cool:

wow
 

Wow, great pickups Mark. That duck web glove is awesome.

As Groucho did not say [but should have] when encountering a man with 17 kids: "I smoke a cigar, but I take it out of my mouth occasionally"

My favorite p/u's from 2011 [so far]:

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...0on%20Farm.JPG

7.5" x 9.5" [10" x 12" mount] mounted photo of Jim Jeffries on his farm in Burbank with his pup, with a handwritten copyright of 1906 By Jas. J. Jeffries and Jas. M. Johnson [perhaps the photographer], captioned "The Good Friends" in pencil on the mount in what I believe is Jeffries' hand.

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...20Jeffries.JPG

10.5" x 13" print of Jim Jeffries. The photographers' imprint at the bottom right is the famous Dana Studio in San Francisco. Judging from the look of the image, the imprint and Jeffries' appearance, I'd say this is a 1910 image shot of him at either the Hotel Rowardennan, near Santa Cruz CA, or Reno NV, when he was in training for the Johnson fight.

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...20Jeffries.jpg

Jim Jeffries signed release allowing Christy Walsh to use his image in a Brown & Bigelow calendar. By this time Jeff had suffered a stroke so his signature was a tad shaky but still solid.

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...%20Jackson.jpg

9" x 14" print of HOFer Peter Jackson. This is a Dana Studios original; the writing on it was applied in ink by someone at Dana. I suspect it was wider but has some damage to the left edge. Found this at a local show in a crappy frame with a mat on it that made it look like it had been cut up. When I had the seller pull it out for me and realized that it was essentially intact and inked, I had to make an effort to keep a poker face.

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...0from%20LA.JPG

This is a 1924 photo entitied "Boxing Fraternity Los Angeles Santa Fe Station to see Commissioner Seth W. Streilinger off for Europe." It depicts the 1924 Olympic boxers from L.A. prior to departure for the games, seeing off Streilinger, a boxing commissioner for CA in the 1920s. Jackie Fields and Fidel La Barba, the two HOF boxers shown, were Los Angeles-based teammates on the 1924 U.S. Olympic team. Some of the other named subjects were local fighters, managers or promoters during the 1920s. Walter Yarwood served as secretary of the commission from 1924-1926. Commissioner Louis Almgren was ousted from office in 1928. Georgie Rivers was a local club fighter in the 1920s. In the very back is Chief Meyers, the old Giants catcher who was out of baseball and gradually becoming involved in boxing. He would eventually become a commissioner.

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...nera%20Art.JPG

1930s publication art of Primo Carnera and Jess Willard. I suppose the suggestion was that the two were like skyscrapers. It is composed of two photos [Willard and Carnera] cut out and pasted on board with inked in details and silver ink used to remove details under Willard so it would appear he and Carnera were standing together.

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...ce%20photo.jpg

1950s Groucho promo foto for You Bet Your Life. Came with the original mailing envelope. The same shoot yielded the Bowman card.

Hey Scott. You didn't have a great year, you had a 1927 Yanks Year! :D

Hey Jimmy,
That's pretty lofty company, but I appreciate your compliment. Your photo pickups this year have also been unhinged and off the charts!! :eek:

8X10 vintage, original Type I John Dominis award winning photo of the Mick. Taken June 25, 1965 this photo was part of the portfolio that won the famous Life Magazine staff photographer the "Magazine Photographer of the Year Award" and shows Mantle's frustration during a year beset by injuries as his head is down in disgust throwing his batting helmet - away a feat he did with such class!!!

Some of my top pick-ups weren't sports related...
 

Here are a few of my best Beatles pick-ups from 2011.

First up is this sweet 1968 all Original Beatles/Yellow Submarine Alarm Clock with seldom seen original box and instructions.

An Extremely Rare 1966 Beatles Colorforms Cartoon Set in top-notch condition.

And from SELCOL back in 1964 comes this spiffy set of The Beatles/RINGO Starr "New Beat" Drum Set with it's ORIGINAL BOX, DRUMSTICKS, BRUSHES, INSTRUCTIONS, along with the very rare KEY, & INSERT!

Yeah! :) Yeah! :) Yeah! :)

Attachment 51620Attachment 51621

Attachment 51622Attachment 51623

Attachment 51624

Here are a few of my favorite pickups from 2011. The game used bat was a gift directly from Robinson Cano to me for my son at Target Field.

Great stuff all. WONDERFUL Job by Robbie on the bat. Lucky kid.

Oooooohhhhh!? Gehrig selecting a bat....thought it was Gehrig on his cell phone. :)

Here's the slug from the back of the photo. Lou's trying to figure out what's wrong with him. He was batting just .074 with only two hits as of April 26th 1938.

At this time, Gehrig had no idea of what was in store for him...

Attachment 51680Attachment 51686

OK. I'll play.
Best pickup..
1920's Paul Thompson Type 1 of Babe Ruth.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...Thompsonfr.jpg

Now this pic may look familiar to you from thread post 22 because it now lives, happily I'm sure, along side some other ridiculously good photos in Jimmy's collection.

This pickup turned into some of my best pickups, that will be staying with me for a loooong time. It was painful to trade the Babe, but I did come away very happy.

1927 Gehrig Type 1 with companion pieces
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...27LouScowl.jpg
1928 Sporting News handbook. (also from trade)http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=4200
and 1927 Police Gazette. It's in rough shape, but I haven't seen another copy before and when I can frame them all together, it should clean up nicely. (from eBay)
http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=4202

1927 Yankees Team picture.
http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=4201

Gehrig Family Christmas Card
http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=4198

1927 Yankees infield
http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=4196

1927 Ruth Type 1 portrait matching Gehrig
http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=4199

and my favorite pic of all and, perhaps not the most expensive, but certainly then one pic the deal hinged upon me getting. Perhaps the favorite Gehrig pic I own.
Lou with Christy Walsh Jr 1927.
http://www.net54baseball.com/picture...pictureid=4197

In other fields of interest.

1939 HOF yearbook.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2.../HOF1939-1.jpg

1954 Sport Magazine signed by Casey Stengel. It came with a cert from PAAS. Some expert named Simon signed it. Anybody heard of him?:rolleyes:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...rt195403ab.jpg

Unfortunately, I didn't get to buy any signed 1934 Goudeys this year.
Before the year is out Does anybody have one I need and want to sell or trade it to me?:D

Great stuff everyone.
Happy Holidays and a Wonderful New Year to everyone. Hopefully next year will be even better.

Best,
Mark

Love the picture of your boy. I think it would make a great make up a caption thread.

He looks like he's saying.."What you couldn't get a Jeter?"

Mark,
That 1927 closeup of Gehrig is epic! Great swap for both you and Jimmy! ;)

My best pickups of the year


http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...1947opener.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...ll/stuart2.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3...omasonauto.jpg
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b3.../1924links.jpg

And my best non-baseball pickup this year was my fruit hat Freakie figure that was a premium inside boxes of Fruity Freakies...it's the T206 Wagner of cereal premiums.

Even though it's only one bookend, I picked this up, having a spot on a shelf where only one is needed. So despite my earlier posted rppc, I actually was able to find something book-ish to post as a top find.

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7169/6...95187da3_o.jpg

First off I would like to thank Leon for hosting this site. It has been a much needed diversion. I supervise social workers for the state and this year has been quite rough for many of the people my staff serve. A little Etta James and Net54 makes even the roughest days bearable. Due to the economy I am almost embarrassed by the money I waste with this madness when so many others struggle to find homes. I couldn't play right field like the Great One but I still blame Clemente for my career choice. I'm beginning a much needed two week vacation and plan to spend the holidays with my healthy children, and beautiful wife. I am truly blessed compared to many I see on a daily basis.

By my standards and budget I had one of my better collecting years in 2011. I have very eclectic tastes. I collect vintage photos, memorabilia, pre and post war cards, game used equipment, and autographs. This scattered approach to collecting serves to make it extremely difficult to pick my favorite 2011 purchases. The items pictured below are my favorite 2011 pick ups from each genre I collect. I can't claim to have obtained any items as rare as others have posted in this thread. However I certainly had a lot of fun and squandered quite a bit of money. Thanks for indulging me this year. I hope that the Holidays bring all of you happiness and health. We are all so fortunate to be financially secure enough to chase these silly things we all hold so dear. Pass on your good fortune and do something positive for a total stranger in need.

Mike,

I LOVE that shot of Cuyler laying on the bats. The light is beautiful, and I feel like it's just an awesome candid moment that some lucky photographer caught. Great pick-up!

Graig

First off I would like to thank Leon for hosting this site. It has been a much needed diversion. I supervise social workers for the state and this year has been quite rough for many of the people my staff serve. A little Etta James and Net54 makes even the roughest days bearable. Due to the economy I am almost embarrassed by the money I waste with this madness when so many others struggle to find homes. I couldn't play right field like the Great One but I still blame Clemente for my career choice. I'm beginning a much needed two week vacation and plan to spend the holidays with my healthy children, and beautiful wife. I am truly blessed compared to many I see on a daily basis.

By my standards and budget I had one of my better collecting years in 2011. I have very eclectic tastes. I collect vintage photos, memorabilia, pre and post war cards, game used equipment, and autographs. This scattered approach to collecting serves to make it extremely difficult to pick my favorite 2011 purchases. The items pictured below are my favorite 2011 pick ups from each genre I collect. I can't claim to have obtained any items as rare as others have posted in this thread. However I certainly had a lot of fun and squandered quite a bit of money. Thanks for indulging me this year. I hope that the Holidays bring all of you happiness and health. We are all so fortunate to be financially secure enough to chase these silly things we all hold so dear. Pass on your good fortune and do something positive for a total stranger in need.

Mike,
Thanks! Those are some important heartfelt words. I agree that passing on our good fortune is something that we all need to think about as a constant in our lives.

Your top pickups for 2011 are some really good ones. I like the Pudge game jersey and Reggie Angels era game bat.

Happy holidays and enjoy your well deserved vacation with your family!

Those are some amazing pickups! Here are my favorite 3 for the year. Happy Holidays to everyone!

Awesome George

aquarius31--Great Wood Cuts. What is the one in the top right?

Thanks guys...the one on the top right is the Chicago BBC from an 1885 Police Gazette.

I'll second that, great Campy postcard, Peter!

Damn Jarrod. What a historic and important photo that Mantle image is, and one that would make any photo collector's year! Congratulations!

Please keep me in mind if you ever want to sell/trade it. :)

Hi Jarrod.

As far as I know, there were only 4 photos taken of Mickey outside the Joplin ballpark that day - Sept.14, 1950. I have been fortunate enough to obtain all four.

One is the photo you have posted (mine also has the small negative imperfection on his left shoulder/sleeve).

Below is another showing a different pose of Mickey in his Joplin uniform. Both of these were used by the press as he was about to start a 2 week travel run with the Yankees which began on Sept 20. One thing I really like about this photo, is that on the back, in addition to the photographer's original stamping, written in pencil is the phrase "to the Yankees".

Craig