Spalding Flange Sign Story
 

<img src="http://i213.photobucket.com/albums/cc120/CarltonHendricks/Side%201%20125_zpswcqmhncn.jpg" border="0" alt=" photo Side 1 125_zpswcqmhncn.jpg"/>
http://www.sportsantiques.com/spalding_bb_flange.htm
Please know I've featured a Spalding Flange Sign as my latest Sports Antique of the Week...It's pretty spectaular...some of you may appriecate the story...link above...Thanks Leon for letting me plug it...

And oh yeah...After putting the feature together over the last week...I saw last night on the March pickups thread one of our own got it...Congrats Michael/ruth-gehrig!!!

Great article Carlton, as always, thanks for sharing. The sign is fantastic and Michael got a good deal. I completely agree with your premise, but the speculation that the sign could go for 10 times as much or $24K seems a stretch – perhaps I am wrong. Did that other Spalding sign sell for $24K or is that just what the seller was asking? In the ebay listing this seller claims another sign sold in mint condition for $7K, but who knows what the story is on that. I would also add that this eBay listing did not go unnoticed, and I know several who were following, including on big Spalding collector. Again, who knows, and it’s incredible and has found a wonderful home with Michael, but in another auction house I would speculate closer to a $5K ceiling.

Joe I thought 3000, to 4 when it was listed. I loved the sign but just couldn't pull the trigger

For what it's worth - I saw this exact style sign for sale, slightly better overall condition at the Toronto International Show last year. The dealer was asking $3K Canadian. No pics unfort. Don't know if it sold at the show or not.

Off topic, sorry.

Chris, I plan on attending the T.O. show this year, (maybe?) which will be my first in over 20 yrs.
My last one was this one and I went when I inherited my Topps cards.

Question is, and I think I know the answer, is the majority of this show based on hockey cards, or are there enough dealers/sellers etc in B cards to make it worth my while to attend?

I believe, 20+ yrs ago, I did find some older 52 Topps cards but they were far and few between just like other older/vintage BB cards.

I am also looking for card holders etc so I may go regardless, but I am curious what you noticed there last year for BB cards?

Thanks. :)

Hi. I am really a memorabilia guy and don't pay a lot of attention to cards unfort. Saying that, the show is hockey-heavy and baseball (except Jays and Expos) will be in short supply. May find some good deals however.

Thanks, Chris.

Like I mentioned, I may go anyways but my son has his hockey banquet that evening and his first 4 on 4 game early Saturday morning.

I was thinking Friday might be the best day as that is my day off but maybe Sunday would be better for some deals?

This is a 1930's sign where the Reach is a lot earlier. A Reach in great condition had sold a few years ago for $19,000 so the Spalding in great condition would be in the $12 to 15,000.

If this sign were mine I would be asking $6500

Great article Carlton and thanks everyone for the positive comments regarding this sign :) I am very glad to add it to my collection. According to the seller this sign was still hanging on the original sporting goods building in Mexico up until about 7 years ago. Prior to this particular sign, I had only known about the "near mint" restored example. I have since found a very rough example online.

Michael congrats on your acquisition. I like your sign better than the restored one which almost looks like a repro. Yours is perfect just the way it is. Hope you leave it as is. Adam

Thanks Adam and yes, as far as I'm concerned the sign will stay original. As I've heard it said many times, "It's only original once."
Thanks!
Michael