Acquiring my Holy Grail

[z28jd]

I admit that I thought the 1887 Kalamazoo Bats Pittsburgh team card WAS my holy grail until I knew this following item existed. Even when I found out about it, I didn't think I'd be able to purchase it because it's been in the family since day one. I'm from Kearny, NJ, birthplace of Dots Miller, who shares six of the same relatives with me, though we are not related. I'm a huge Pirates fan since I was five and now get to cover the Pirates for a living. So what you see here is the 1909 Dots Miller Pirates jersey and pants, which I believe were World Series worn because I have an old article saying he saved everything from the Series. I was able to purchase them today.

[irv]

Originally Posted by z28jd

I admit that I thought the 1887 Kalamazoo Bats Pittsburgh team card WAS my holy grail until I knew this following item existed. Even when I found out about it, I didn't think I'd be able to purchase it because it's been in the family since day one. I'm from Kearny, NJ, birthplace of Dots Miller, who shares six of the same relatives with me, though we are not related. I'm a huge Pirates fan since I was five and now get to cover the Pirates for a living. So what you see here is the 1909 Dots Miller Pirates jersey and pants, which I believe were World Series worn because I have an old article saying he saved everything from the Series. I was able to purchase them today.

Incredible!

[orly57]

Congratulations man!!! This is what it's all about. I'm really happy for you. That is amazing. It belongs in a museum.

[GrayGhost]

OMG . That is AMAZING!!!

[z28jd]

Originally Posted by orly57

Congratulations man!!! This is what it's all about. I'm really happy for you. That is amazing. It belongs in a museum.

I plan on taking good care of it for a long time, then leaving it to one of his relatives, putting it back into the family. I have three cousins related to him in their early 30's, so we will see if they have a kid who is big into baseball. If not, it will probably end up in a museum

[jerseygary]

Wow! That's a heck of a find! I hope you can post some other detail pictures when you get a chance. Glad it went to someone who really appreciates it.

[Luke]

That's unreal!!! Very happy for you John!

[EYECOLLECTVINTAGE]

Sickest item i saw in a long time!

[z28jd]

I should add one of thing and that was that the person I bought it from had another jersey he thought belonged to Dots Miller, so I said I'd look at it. It was from a local team from Kearny and I was able to tell him it was his grandfather's jersey, so that made it extra special to him.

He never thought to check inside for the name and he didn't know his grandfather played baseball, but I had an old newspaper article with him mentioned.

[HOF Auto Rookies]

Unbelievable, what an historical piece.

[Jobu]

Nice John - I am happy to see that you finally got it!

How do you plan to display/store it?

[ullmandds]

WOW!!!! Awesome Acquisition!!!!! I love your dots collection! I'm putting you in my will...you should have my run someday!!!!!!

[bobbvc]

Great post!

[Northviewcats]

Congratulations on the great pickup. I appreciate your intention of returning it to the family in the future. Very cool.

Best regards,

Joe

[the-illini]

Congrats John - that is an amazing piece!

I have to confess I thought it was going to be an N172 Madden/leaning on rock card though!

[WillowGrove]

I'm really excited for you, that uniform is amazing. Congratulations!

[z28jd]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

WOW!!!! Awesome Acquisition!!!!! I love your dots collection! I'm putting you in my will...you should have my run someday!!!!!!

It's cool seeing the jersey on the cards, especially this one. BTW, they believe someone in the family has the famous "big glove"

[ullmandds]

Originally Posted by z28jd

It's cool seeing the jersey on the cards, especially this one. BTW, they believe someone in the family has the famous "big glove"

Omg...to see that glove...with the uni...thats be something special. I might be disappointed if it is not in fact..."big!"

[rhettyeakley]

Incredible!

[z28jd]

Originally Posted by ullmandds

Omg...to see that glove...with the uni...thats be something special. I might be disappointed if it is not in fact..."big!"

Sorry...

[vintagebaseballcardguy]

That qualifies as awesome!!

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[mrvster]

congrats my great friend!

you are the one that hooked me on pre war..... I will come out and see you soon.... I'm hanging in there..... again, stoked for you!

[ksfarmboy]

Holy smokes that is amazing!! So glad that stuff like this still exists! Congratulations!

[oldjudge]

Congratulations John! It is good that the jersey has found its' way into the hands of a knowledgeable, passionate collector such as yourself. As a member of the Miller clan I approve.
BTW, I have seen that a copy of the extremely rare Pittsburgh K-Bat team card is coming up in a Huggins and Scott auction later this year. Hopefully, that will also find its' way to you.

[z28jd]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Congratulations John! It is good that the jersey has found its' way into the hands of a knowledgeable, passionate collector such as yourself. As a member of the Miller clan I approve.
BTW, I have seen that a copy of the extremely rare Pittsburgh K-Bat team card is coming up in a Huggins and Scott auction later this year. Hopefully, that will also find its' way to you.

For the owner of the card's sake, I hope it doesn't but I'd begrudgingly accept it. I'm tapped out now. About to eat pop tarts for lunch and possibly dinner

[EvilKing00]

Congrats! Amazing piece

[btcarfagno]

I remember when you first posted that a while back. It was stunning then and remains so. Many many congratulations. Not just because of the value which is insane. Moreso the personal connection you have to it. Simply amazing.

Tom C

[z28jd]

Originally Posted by btcarfagno

I remember when you first posted that a while back. It was stunning then and remains so. Many many congratulations. Not just because of the value which is insane. Moreso the personal connection you have to it. Simply amazing.

Tom C

I had no idea of purchasing it when I posted those pictures last year. I knew of it's existence for years and just wanted to see it, didn't even ask to purchase it since it was in the family for 107 years at that point. I should say that I knew a jersey existed, didn't know it was a 1909 one though.

When the offer came up shortly after to buy it, I jumped on it and luckily they were willing to wait on full payment.

[kkkkandp]

Originally Posted by z28jd

I admit that I thought the 1887 Kalamazoo Bats Pittsburgh team card WAS my holy grail until I knew this following item existed. Even when I found out about it, I didn't think I'd be able to purchase it because it's been in the family since day one. I'm from Kearny, NJ, birthplace of Dots Miller, who shares six of the same relatives with me, though we are not related. I'm a huge Pirates fan since I was five and now get to cover the Pirates for a living. So what you see here is the 1909 Dots Miller Pirates jersey and pants, which I believe were World Series worn because I have an old article saying he saved everything from the Series. I was able to purchase them today.

Stuff like this strengthens my faith in the hobby. When an item (card, bat, uniform, whatever) winds up in the hands of a family member, it makes me feel all is right (at least temporarily, anyway) in the universe.

Hearty congratulations!

[Orioles1954]

Originally Posted by z28jd

I admit that I thought the 1887 Kalamazoo Bats Pittsburgh team card WAS my holy grail until I knew this following item existed. Even when I found out about it, I didn't think I'd be able to purchase it because it's been in the family since day one. I'm from Kearny, NJ, birthplace of Dots Miller, who shares six of the same relatives with me, though we are not related. I'm a huge Pirates fan since I was five and now get to cover the Pirates for a living. So what you see here is the 1909 Dots Miller Pirates jersey and pants, which I believe were World Series worn because I have an old article saying he saved everything from the Series. I was able to purchase them today.

Congrats! In case you're up for it Huggins & Scott has the Kalamazoo Pittsburgh team card in our August auction.

[ramram]

So, this thread led me to the question - why "Dots"?

From Wiki -

Reportedly, he got the nickname "Dots" after someone asked Miller's thick-accented teammate Honus Wagner where they could find John Miller. Wagner pointed to Miller and replied, "Dots (That's) Miller."

Rob M

[z28jd]

Originally Posted by ramram

So, this thread led me to the question - why "Dots"?

From Wiki -

Reportedly, he got the nickname "Dots" after someone asked Miller's thick-accented teammate Honus Wagner where they could find John Miller. Wagner pointed to Miller and replied, "Dots (That's) Miller."

Rob M

You should have searched this site http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=199041

[ramram]

Originally Posted by z28jd

You should have searched this site http://www.net54baseball.com/showthread.php?t=199041

Lol, but Wiki is NEVER wrong!

Rob M

[KingFisk]

Stunning! Congrats and glad it didn't get lost at the Kearny sorting center.

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[z28jd]

Originally Posted by KingFisk

Stunning! Congrats and glad it didn't get lost at the Kearny sorting center.

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That's funny you say that because I always like when I see my items go there first and everyone else hates it. I bought a Dots Miller Helmar stamp off of a board member earlier this year and it was taking a little long to get here. When I checked, it was in Kearny. I couldn't hate that.

[KingFisk]

Originally Posted by z28jd

That's funny you say that because I always like when I see my items go there first and everyone else hates it. I bought a Dots Miller Helmar stamp off of a board member earlier this year and it was taking a little long to get here. When I checked, it was in Kearny. I couldn't hate that.

Haha. Usually it's not a problem but some items go on vacation there for a week or so. I guess if it's a Dots item, it's just a little hometown visit.


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[ooo-ribay]

Fantastic item! Congrats!

Now, you just need to spend several thousand more dollars for a suitable display.

[cdn_collector]

Wow, John. That is an INCREDIBLE pick-up. Congrats!!

Cheers,

Richard.

[Jcfowler6]

I dribbled a little.

Amazing item.

That uniform has me in awe. My main focus is the 1909 Pirates and it doesn't get much better than that. Congrats!


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[phlflyer1]

Congratulations John, I'm speechless.

It can't get better than that as a centerpiece to your collection!

[MVSNYC]

So sick. Congrats.

Is there a proper way to store- In a sealed bag, etc?

[z28jd]

Originally Posted by MVSNYC

So sick. Congrats.

Is there a proper way to store- In a sealed bag, etc?

I haven't figured out yet how I'm going store/display it, but I've been asking around, gathering ideas.

I'll take better pictures of the jersey sometime soon. The poor pants get no love

Thanks to everyone for the kind words. I truly meant it when I said I'm not sure what could top that particular jersey for me. The year/player/team with that iconic PBC symbol. Of course Wagner, Clarke or Willis would be more valuable if they existed, but I'd still take Miller because of the family/birthplace connection.

[MVSNYC]

I'd focus on preservation, rather than display. IMO, it's better to keep it properly stored, and occasionally bring out to show off...I personally wouldn't have it framed or displayed, honestly. Keep out of light, etc.

Question- I know it's sacrilegious to clean game worn jerseys, so I'm NOT saying to clean it...BUT, in the game worn uniform collecting arena, are there acceptable ways to LIGHTLY "clean" a bit, without damaging value or use?

[Big Six]

My recommendation, unsolicited of course, would be to get a mannequin and dress that thing up with the uniform. I'd take pictures with a great camera and lighting...then frame those up with some other period pieces (think baseball cards, photos and other related items. Then preserve that sucker like you would a wedding dress.


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[ksfarmboy]

Might try contacting the Hall of Fame and see what the do for their jerseys. Whatever you do let us see the final result.