Best...Find....Ever

[Lordstan]

Ok. I am really excited to have been able to acquire this grouping of items.

It all started with this photo. I purchased it last year from a fellow collector. I cam to find out through him that this was from 1934. I depicted the winners of the Quaker Oats Prize contest with Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Little did I know what would happen.

I am so psyched to have acquired the collection and mementos from one of the young boys that was there that day.

Robert Coleman, 9, from Des Moines Iowa, was one of the First Prize winners who was brought to NY to go to 2 games and meet Ruth. All the items that follow are from the collection. There a lot of photos, so I will probably need more than one post to put them all up. Please wait until I get them all up to comment.

First up is the contest coupon booklet. Apparently there were weekly entries. Each coupon would be sent in with 2 box tops. The bottom photo shows how it looks totally unfolded. I photoshopped the pieces together to give you the effect. It appears, young Robert submitted weeks 4, 5, and 11.









Next up is the telegram he received informing him of his prize and some of the things to come. One thing that strikes me is that he got word he won and only has a week to get ready. No months of planning. Simple.



They followed that up with a letter detailing his travel plans and itinerary. There was a money order, but I am sure that was spent.





Next up are some snapshots the family took along the way with details written on the back. I didn't look at the one with the players up close to see if anyone could be identified, but I will.






Cool stuff right. Wait. it gets better.

[thetruthisoutthere]

Mark, that photo is a beauty.

[JoeyFarino]

Mark thats pretty damn cool. To be able to hear first hand from someone who was actually there is amazing. Congrats buddy

[Lordstan]

So. Up next are the programs from both games Robert attended with his father. No tickets as they probably weren't issued them as VIPs. Inside the scorecards are the newspaper articles about each of the games and the second one has an article from his hometown newspaper, I think, about his experience.








And now the BEST of it all...These are scrapbook pages from his album with multiple full 8x10s original photos depicting his experience.

First up is a radio party in his hometown announcing his contest win.

Next up is a photo of Ruth and Robert probably from the dinner with Ruth at the Waldorf on Aug 3.


Robert with Ruth and Gehrig with Babe giving him some batting pointers. It was used for the newspaper article.


Next is him on rooftop of Penn hotel in Manhattan.


Article and write of event.


Another original copy of the group photo that I showed at the top.


All the kids and their families on the ferry to the Statue of Liberty.


I am soooo psyched to get this all together. A time capsule flash back to a more simple and innocent time. Really cool.

[ooo-ribay]

Amazing karma! Congrats on your fantastic find!

[Scott Garner]

So cool!! Congrats Mark!

[Lordstan]

Thanks guys

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[Topnotchsy]

Amazing when the pieces come together like that! Thanks for sharing.

[sporteq]

Hey Mark- that came out of Legendary Auctions. It's a great group!

[thetruthisoutthere]

Outstanding!!!

[71buc]

Wonderful collection congratulations!

[granite75]

Amazing. I am sure you were only slightly less excited than a kid winning a trip to New York to meet Babe Ruth.

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[vintagesportscollector]

Awesome, Mark! Congrats.

[parker1b2]

Unbelievable find. Congrats!!!

[Lordstan]

I found the original Legendary auction from Nov 2103 auction.

I only paid a little more than this, but am not sure why it didn't end way higher than that.

http://legendaryauctions.com/LotDeta...ntoryid=161698

[billyb]

Mark,
That is a great collection. That bit of history could not have found a better home.
Now for the big question? What has to come down off the wall to display that collection?

[sporteq]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

I found the original Legendary auction from Nov 2103 auction.

I only paid a little more than this, but am not sure why it didn't way higher than that.

http://legendaryauctions.com/LotDeta...ntoryid=161698

Mark- I believe you paid a small fraction for this amazing collection. How are you going to display these relics?

Albert

[Peter_Spaeth]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

I found the original Legendary auction from Nov 2103 auction.

I only paid a little more than this, but am not sure why it didn't end way higher than that.

http://legendaryauctions.com/LotDeta...ntoryid=161698

Maybe because it wasn't shilled.

[EldoEsq]

Amazing find to add to your collection!!!!

[Mountaineer1999]

Great find and great little story. Love the pictures of the little boy experiencing the city. A little bit sad the family didn't or couldn't hold onto it. I always wonder what events lead to a family heirloom sale.

[David W]

The itinerary reads on both games game at 3:00 - return to hotel at 5:00

2 hour ball games, now they are 3 hours.

[basesareempty]

Originally Posted by Mountaineer1999

Great find and great little story. Love the pictures of the little boy experiencing the city. A little bit sad the family didn't or couldn't hold onto it. I always wonder what events lead to a family heirloom sale.

I agree! Mr. Coleman must have some grandchildren that would want to keep it. But as these thing usually happen, the $$ outweighs the sentimental value for at least some of the heirs and this stuff ends up at auction.

[Rickyy]

Maan...one of the nicest collection I've ever seen! Congrats!

Ricky Y

[ls7plus]

Absolutely fabulous slice of history!!!

Thanks for sharing,

Larry

[Louieman]

Thanks for sharing! Really great stuff

[kevlewis]

Mark thats a awesome pickup. Love the provenance!!!!

[Lordstan]

Thanks everyone for your compliments.
It really is amazing that it was kept together all these 81 years. To be able to get a snapshot of his experience is really cool.
I was told by someone very knowledgeable that they think the signature is probably Clair's. I'm not sure, but it definitely isn't the Babes.
Considering the reaction here, I am very surprised it didn't sell for more, but regardless I am glad I found it for the price I did.

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[brian1961]

Mark,

Truly, you have a magnificent find. This is a time capsule opened up, intact, and you as the recipient is thankfully someone who sincerely appreciates these baseball artifacts. Four score and one year ago....

Heartiest of congratulations. Perhaps a nice full-size All State Display Case could accomodate this array of endearing eye candy. I know you must be frustrated about Babe's likely bogus signature, but all I see is what you do have. Had Babe's autograph been judged to be genuine, you probably would have been shut out on the rest. Obviously, you did rather well, bro.

You already are I'm sure, but keep basking in the glow of this super find.

--Brian Powell

[2dueces]

Awesome collection!! Congrads!

But Babe eating Puffed wheat before a game? LOL

[darwinbulldog]

Originally Posted by 2dueces

Awesome collection!! Congrads!

But Babe eating Puffed wheat before a game? LOL

Puffed wheat, bubbled barley, what's the difference?

[Lordstan]

Thanks guys for all the kind words. I am really excited to have found these.
Sorry Baz, she may be a great lady but they will be prying these from my cold dead hands when I die. Plus I bet in 98 yrs she has seen every possible photo of her father.

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