Cooperstown. Show anything & everything related to the Hall of Fame...
 

Souvenirs, Pennants, Photos, Tickets, FDC, your own photos taken on a trip there. Let's see what you have regarding America's greatest museum!

Bill Dickey's letter from Paul Keer informing him that he had been elected to the Hall of Fame. From Dickey's scrapbook.

Attachment 7221
Attachment 7226

June, 1939. Famous image of Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb as they lead a parade of ballplayers and fans to the steps of the HOF for the Grand Opening of the Historic Museum. Vintage original TYPE I photograph.

Attachment 7224

Congratulatory telegram to Bill Dickey from friend and fellow HOF member, sportswriter Grantland Rice.

Attachment 7225

Hall of Fame Pins
 

I believe these pins were sold at the HOF from the mid 1970's until the mid 1980's. I also believe 40 were made, although I only have 34 in my collection. If anyone has any of the six missing pins and wants to sell them, please let me know. The pins are numbered HF 1 through HF40. High numbered pins (those above 24), appear to be more difficult to find.

2 Cooperstown Ballpoint Pens
 

Not sure of the year.

Jimmy That Dickey induction letter is off the charts.
Never saw one before. You're collection is incredible.
One gem after another!

Picked these up from N54 a couple of years ago.

The letter was the office copy from the Govenor of Maryland in 1954 making
a pitch to Spink of why Home Run Baker should be in the Hall Of Fame.
Politics worked, Frank Baker was inducted in Cooperstown in '55

The photo is of Baker relaxing at home w/ his momentos all around him.
I wonder where there are now? Would love to have one of those bats, or trophy or a team ball.

http://www.qualitycards.com/pictures/hrbaker1.jpg

http://www.qualitycards.com/pictures/hrbaker2.jpg

Jimmy,
Your collection never disappoints. That stuff is incredible.

Mike,
Who is the lady in the turtleneck in the second group of pins? :eek: It's hard to believe the HOF couldn't find a better picture of whoever it is?
BTW who is missing from your collection?

Jay,
I used to live on eastern shore of Maryland, near where Baker was from. I always found it surprising that there didn't seem to be a lot of his stuff around there. Great pic though.

My contribution to the thread are HOF yearbooks:

1942 Yearbook. Scan is a little big. Size is same as 1946.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ks/HOF1942.jpg

1946 Yearbook
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ks/HOF1946.jpg

1949 Yearbook
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ks/HOF1949.jpg

1964 Yearbook Silver Anniversary
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...4SilverAnn.jpg

1966 Yearbook. The first one acquired. Started the whole ball rolling. It has the most sigs.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...HOF1966rev.jpg

1977 Yearbook. Second most signatures.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ks/HOF1977.jpg

1984 Yearbook. One of the prettiest.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...ks/HOF1984.jpg

All signatures on books earlier than 1982 were obtained in person, by myself, except for the Kiner on the 1975 book. Those 1982 and later are mixed sources.

The rest can be seen here:http://smg.photobucket.com/albums/v2...F%20Yearbooks/

Mark, nice autographs which prompted me to remember this piece I have.
Got all the auto's myself starting in '81 and after a few, i realized that all the players played in 1939 (except for Waite Hoyt who retired in '38) when this stamp/First Day Cover came out for the "alleged" 100th anniversary of Baseball.
So my theme was to have all the players who signed be Hall Of Famers and who played in 1939.
Now 70 years later, there's no one else I can ever add to it.

When I met Ted Williams (Atlantic City show in '88) I handed him the green pen as Ty Cobb often signed items like that. He liked how I knew that and even offered to buy the piece after he signed it.

http://www.qualitycards.com/ebay/fdc.jpg

More HOF
 

These are the original frames that held the Hall of Fame plaques of George Sisler and Tris Speaker -- the frames they used when the plaques were hanging on the walls of the old museum, before the actual Hall of Fame wing was added to the museum. The players name was written on the back and front of the ornate frame so the plaque would be returned to the correct frame after it was taken off for cleaning. I've put a Type I photo in each plaque.

More HOF
 

Sign for the 1953 HOF game and induction ceremonies.

Jay,
Very nice cachet. I love those multi-signed items.

Say Hey.
Those frames are fantastic. There is even enough room to put a signed 3x5 of each under the pic.

Mark

Hof
 

Mark,

That's a great idea about the signed 3 x 5.
Forgot to include a photo of the handwritten name on back before.

More HOF
 

This is one of my favorite pieces. One of just a few road signs made that were placed at the main intersections leading to Cooperstown to direct travelers to the 1939 induction ceremonies. I believe this is one of three known survivors.
It appears glittery in the photo (not in person), because a special paint was used so the sign could be seen at night.

SeyHey,
Glad I could help inspire you to spend some more money!
Very nice sign as well

Those frames and that sign are amazing. Congratulations guys on having such great stuff. I hope your collections continue growing, especially with that kind of quality.

Mark V.
The lady in the turtleneck is actually Jack Brickhouse. For some reason, when he went in as a broadcaster, he was added to this set. It is an odd addition. I found his pin on ebay many years ago and it is the only one I have ever seen. The ones missing from my collection are Juan Marichal, George Kell, Walter Alston, Hoyt Wilhelm, Lou Brock and HF36 which is an unknown. I've seen photos of the 5 listed above, but have never seen a #36.

Mike,
Aha, that explains why I didn't recognize him.
Nice collection.

Great stuff from everyone! Let's see some more...
 

Thank you Jay & Mark for the very kind words.

Here's a few vintage souvenirs from Cooperstown...

Attachment 7283Attachment 7284

Attachment 7285

Attachment 7286

One of my favorites at The Hall . . .


http://www.cal-lector.com/TheSmackZone/RuthLetter2.jpg

The focus of the Cooperstown Myth
 

Our Abner Doubleday CDV along with an 1860's era bat and lemon peel ball....

Hey Jay. What a terrific piece and and even better story behind the piece...especially about Williams. I do love pieces that have cool stories to go with them. Well done.

Best, Jimmy

3 HOF mini bats from 1939 with original mailing boxes...
 

of Foxx, Gehrig, and Ruth in NM/Mint Condition. The gold lettering on the Ruth bat is just incredible.

Attachment 7480

Attachment 7481

Attachment 7482

Attachment 7483

Attachment 7484

More HOF
 

Giant (3x5) vintage framed HOF print of Herb Pennock.

Great topic. This is my first time posting (I just joined yesterday). But Cooperstown is my favorite memory from childhood growing up. My father and I attended the HOF Inductions from 1987-1998. It was the one thing I looked forward to all summer, and as soon as it passed, I was constantly looking forward to next year. I can post more photos later, but here is a TTM project I just started working on:

20 years ago my father and I attended the 50th anniversary of the Baseball Hall of Fame. I bought this program then, and a couple of months later I had Bob Feller sign it at a local show. The program then sat in my parent's closet for the next 20 or so years when I found it recently. I always knew I had it, but I thought what am I going to do with this program that is signed by Bob Feller?

Then I thought about turning it into a TTM project. I first sent it out to Bobby Doerr, turnaround in less than a week. Next I sent it out to Lee MacPhail, who had it for about a month and I started to get a bit nervous. After that it was Monte Irvin, with $20 fee, and took about a week. Next, I got it back from Al Kaline ($20 fee) that took a little less than two weeks. Was kind of torn on how he signed it. Gave a nice, big, bold signature but the way he signed it kind of took away space from other players down the road. The next day it was sent out to Red Schoendienst, with a $10 fee. Got that back in about a week, and was sent out the following day to Duke Snider (with fee) and it has been over two weeks. Starting to get a bit antsy. I've had people who have seen it saying that I shouldnt add any players who were inducted after 1989 (the 50th Anniversary of the HOF), such as Lee MacPhail, but I am going to try and jam pack it with as many HOFers as possible.

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a.../DSCF03341.jpg

Welcome aboard Cooptown...
 

Very nice first post. As far as what others are trying to tell you to do or not do things a certain way...DON"T LISTEN TO THEM. Do what pleases you and collect what you enjoy and you'll always come out on top.

Here is a page from Bill Dickey's scrapbook that goes with the letter I started the thread with...

Attachment 7498

Attachment 7499

Attachment 7500

Here is a Doubleday Field Bat I am working on having signed by HOFers. I had Johnny Mize sign it in 1990, and it has been a slow work in process ever since. It is signed by the following:
Johnny Mize
Billy Herman
George Kell
Jim Catfish Hunter
Ferguson Jenkins
Hal Newhouser
Buck Leonard
Hoyt Wilhelm
Juan Marichal
Ray Dandridge
Paul Molitor
Earl Weaver
Bobby Doerr
Bob Gibson
Warren Spahn
Enos Slaughter
Luis Aparicio
Bob Feller
Red Schoendienst
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/PICT0049.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/PICT0051.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...s/PICT0052.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/PICT0038.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/PICT0041.jpg
http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a...d/PICT0042.jpg

Say Hey-
I found the Pennock piece at a flea market in Holyoke and consigned it to Lelands. I am really glad a fellow board member bought it. The dealer I bought it from said he got it over 30 years ago in a town a few miles from Cooperstown. Both the dealer I bought it from and Lelands thought it was used in his induction ceremony. I hope you enjoy it!
Yours in collecting,
Alan Elefson
aelefson@hotmail.com

Cooperstown induction weekend 2008
 

Ozzie and Mudcat signing on induction weekend

TYPE 1 PHOTO
First class all the way.....


http://i947.photobucket.com/albums/a...dbabeconcy.jpg

June 29, 1990 was a historic day in baseball history and I was at the HOF on that day.
--

Alan,

With this thread getting bumped back up near the top, I just saw your post about my giant Herb Pennock framed piece. Thanks for that insight about its origins -- I really appreciate it!

Greg

The Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. Cooperstown, New York.
 

Vintage original TYPE I photograph.

Attachment 14083

My dad at the Hall... it was a bit cold for a native Californian.

Doug

Hall of Fame Memorabilia Window Photo
 

Anyone have any ideas where this elaborate display of Baseball Hall of Fame memorabilia would have been at, in this business window? It shows the flag from the 1939 opening, signed balls next to framed plaques, Babe Ruth's Jersey, doubleday ball, HOF special bats and much more. My guess would be an insurance company right down the street from the Hall?? It is from 1950.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v2...oreDisplay.jpg

c. 1940's Cooperstown Pennant.
 

Just picked up this beauty from MEARS Auction. Can't wait to get it on my wall.

Attachment 14768

That's a beauty Jimmy...

Classic 1940s graphics. Love the deep green felt as well. Congrats!

Milk Jacket with minor leaugue autos and Centennial Patch
 

This is more a plea for help: Anyone know what a milk jacket is?:)
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...2/5f28b197.jpg

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...2/0195f9a3.jpg

I started my obsession with the centennial several years ago
 

My centennial flag:
I have wondered if restoring it ruins it..

http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...alstuff020.jpg

My wife threatens divorce
 

A hard to find un-used ticket to the opening of the HOF
http://i60.photobucket.com/albums/h1...duation034.jpg

Not sure of the age, but the colors are fantastic.

http://s915.photobucket.com/albums/a...OWNPENNANT.jpg

not sure if this is old, but my wife's attorney is using it as exhibit 1 i
 

Pennant
 

Just picked up this 12" pennant

I have the same pennant in larger form. It was given to me by an in-law. Do you know when these were made?

Early 1950s... a high point in history, for tremendous pennant graphics.

Reply Letter sent by HOF Historian Ernest J. Lanigan
 

1957 reply letter sent to apparent autograph seeker ( stalker? :confused: ), pre-Gil Renard-Bobby Rayburn :D

"...the Hall of Fame has a rule not to give the addresses of the living Hall of Famers...".

also of note is the sarcastic ( yet professional ) response which follows the above statement.



DS

Just a bit of an update on this. I was able to add two more HOFers since the last time I posted. Robin Roberts and Duke Snider, each with a $10 donation. Both are interesting stories. Roberts I included a $10 check to BAT the first time, and he sent everything back to me, including my check, asking for a donation to BAT. He must not have seen the check. I re-sent it to him, and got it back within a week. Snider I included $10, and a blue sharpie. He signed the program in black (everyone else has signed it in blue) and kept my blue sharpie. Oh well, the risk you take with TTM I guess. People have said that Snider signing in black gives it some character. At least now I dont have to worry about if anyone in the future signs it in blue vs. black.

I got both of those guys in late October/early November, and then my Father, who I have very great memories of going to Cooperstown with and who brought me to this game when we bought the program, passed away in December. I put the program on the backburner, and I think it's about time to start working on it again.

http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/a.../DSCF06001.jpg