Spalding Trophy Find at Alameda...
 

<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4402/35763869454_334653e412_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="c1930 Spalding Tropy (2)">

So last Sunday I hit the Alameda Point Antiques Fair about 6:20AM...Lot of times you go there and it’s just lame...About 15 minutes into the show I said there’s a good vibe here today...little did I know how good...The first pick was a Schwinn bicycle shop coat...The guy certainly wasn’t giving it away and I couldn’t talk him down a cent...but I’m into cycling stuff and it was a very rare unusual find...and nice and clean...so I pulled the trigger...I couldn’t even get him to throw in the manikin...

<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4415/35789930693_1a97e009f2_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="c1940 Schwinn Shop Coat">

<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4334/35763869594_674ef725cf_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="c1930 Spalding Tropy (1)">

Afterwards I basically figured that was it for the day and was just going to finish the show and head to church...So I continued working my way up to the front isle by isle...back to front...So I stopped for a breakfast sandwich for a bit then continued on...So I’m walking along and to the right I see a table with a bunch of 70ish looking toys with boxes...and in the back of them I see a figure of baseball plaer sticking up level with the boxes...with two white plastic baseball player toys standing on the metal base next to it ...I immediately recognized the figure as the one on the Spalding Trophy...My first thought was someone had somehow removed the figure with the flat metal platform base he stands on from the rest of the trophy....as that was all I could see...So I ask the seller to see it and he pulls it up and WOW...it was complete wood base and all...So I ask the price and the guy says ------- I said how about ------ guy says no...and starts to pick it up and put it back...I said hold on and put my hand on the trophy to keep him from putting it back...so I paid his price and we made the deal...

<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4430/35789930803_889c3ca828_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="c1930 Spalding Tropy (4)">

So I said to him...how long have you had this...and how long was it on your table...said he’d had it a long time and that it had been out on his table since he first set up about 6:00AM...I bought it about 9:30AM...so it sat out there for about 3 1/2 hours and no one spotted it...that was the Lord!...All the clutter of the toys and the two plastic baseball player toys kind of camouflaged it....

<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4371/35763869324_8c61d1d149_b.jpg" width="1024" height="576" alt="c1930 Spalding Tropy (3)">

I already have an example of the fielder...but I like this one better because of the Decatur Georgia reference...I may look for someone with the first baseman who wants to trade for a fielder one....In 17 or so years going to this show...besides the c1888 Bailey I go there back in 09'...this was the best piece I ever pulled out of the show

Fantastic find and story Carlton! This just goes to show, that treasure is waiting to be found by those who dare dig for it:D

As I drive around large cities I always wonder what amazing pieces those old houses must contain that the owners simply view as "old stuff" we have had for years. It seems particularly true for sports memorabilia. Baseball cards were a big enough story in the 80s that awareness has grown, but as for memorabilia...even antique dealers are clueless about most of it. For me, this is one of the reasons I enjoy this side of the hobby.

Great job buddy:)

Phenomenal! Hard work pays off.

What's that 50's song by The Platters..."ONLY YOU". The only thing I ever find at a flee market are tube socks and velvet Elvis's. Congrats Carlton, great find.

Awesome, Carlton. Congrats!

Amazing find!

I just Googled that and had no idea the value of these trophy's. :eek:

Congrats on great P/U!

Wow! I know that exact trophy...or I should say I know "of" that exact trophy. I know the person who used to own it about 18 years ago and I recall when it sold with a large collection. He was from Atlanta. I'll see if I can find some pics from back then. Incredible! Carlton, did the guy mention how he got the trophy?

Nice find Carlton! Love the story!!

Great find Carlton! Love the coat too

Awesome find!

This gives us an incentive to know that there are still some treasures still out there.

That's absolutely terrific Carlton! Congratulations on a great pick up

That is awesome!

Great story - amazing find - and could not have happened for a better person.

With all of the research and hunting you do, it was just a matter of time before something like this fell in your lap. Hope you find someone to trade for the Baseman Trophy. I would definitely do it if I didn't have one of each. I think the upright Fielder Trophy you found is the second best in the set (just my personal opinion... still like the Catcher best ;))


Congrats!
Mark

Congrats, Carlton! I've been to the Alameda show twice, while visiting the Bay Area. I wish I could go to them all. I forget if it's weekly, bi-weekly, monthly or whatever. My buddy goes often and usually strikes out but every once in a while hits the jackpot.

Excellent find! I love the story too.

Alan

Spalding Trophy
 

Did spalding make two different versions of these outstanding trophies?
Most of the ones I have seen are "silver".
Great Find.............................................. .........................
Jerry Sage

They made 4 different versions. Plus 1 i don't think anyone has ever seen.

He is referring to finish I believe Kevin. Yes they made silver/pewter looking and gold. I don't think I've seen any but the two fielders in gold so not sure if each finish was applied to each position.

Oops sorry mis-red.

Awesome!! Congrats Carlton! I guess the early bird doesn't always find the worm. This time it was the late bird with the eagle eye.

love it!!
 

Love it Carlton, that's exactly what keeps me going and digging. There's still 'good stuff' out there to be found........Matt

What is the version you dont believe anyone has seen?

Thanks Guys
 

Hey thanks all for your kind words and approval...On the way out I showed it to a couple of fellow collectors/dealers. Allan Wegscheider expressed amazment and said it was the best thing he ever saw come out of that show...And right as I was leaving I casually walked by Jim Griffeth's booth right up front near the gate...craddleing it in my arms just to see his reaction...in jest he pulled his jacket over his face as if it was blinding...Later in the day after leaving the show I went to Mark Macrae's house to pick up a baseball drum I got at the National that he drove home for me...Before I could even tell him about my big find he goes..."Are you the one that got the Spalding trophy at Alameda today?"

<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4346/35763869714_7827c2aa3e_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="bb drum (1)"></a>

<img src="https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4425/35763869644_af5efc60a7_b.jpg" width="1024" height="768" alt="bb drum (2)">

That's Cool

Trophy
 

Carlton, Very neat story! great find and thanks for the pics! :)

Carlton- Amazing find & thanks for sharing the story behind it.

As a layman, I was wondering, "What's with all the hullabaloo??" I had no idea what this trophy was and found this link, which I will post here for anyone else who might find themselves in the same boat as me…

http://keymancollectibles.com/figuri...dingtrophy.htm

Sooooo.....fielder, first baseman and catcher. And others? I'd love to see pictures if any of you guys have the others.

Here's the full set.... there's also a Pitcher and a Batter. This was a photo that I'd saved. Perhaps someone can chime in with some better close-up shots.

All of mine are silver, as are 95% of these. The gold version that Carlton found is super-rare. I've only seen 2 others in the last decade.

Beautiful stuff right there ^

I didn't want to call you out by name but I figured you'd be the guy :cool:

So, all five in a row are Spaldings? Do the pitcher and batter ever come on the rectangular bases or no? What did these cost, from the catalog back in the day?

delete

garage sale?
 

Mark..........I love it when you post photos of your collection. Please let us know the next time you'll be having a garage sale.;)

Will do.... be sure to check the BST periodically. Always seems to be a bit of a challenge selling stuff there (as opposed to ebay or consigning to the Catalog Auctions).

But there will always be some good deals for those willing to check it out!

Wow beautiful statue Carlton! Congratulations.
Mark that's an incredible display thanks for sharing.

It makes your heart stop
 

I have a number of 1939 centennial trophies and lucky to find them. When I hear stories like yours cant wait to see what's at the flee market this week. Thanks for the inspiration great story thanks for shearing. All the Best , Steve

Spalding Trophy
 

Congratulations Carlton. I was at Alameda and know exactly which dealer you were at. Only thing that caught my eye when I walked through his booth at about 8:00a.m. was a Grizzly Adams lunchbox that brought a smile to my face and I kept walking.
Great job in plucking it out of all that stuff he had piled up.