Spalding Trophy Find at Alameda...

[CarltonHendricks]

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...





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...



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....



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

[mjkm90]

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

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

[barrysloate]

Phenomenal! Hard work pays off.

[Bill Rayburn]

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.

[Scott Garner]

Awesome, Carlton. Congrats!

[irv]

Originally Posted by CarltonHendricks

- 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...

Amazing find!

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

Congrats on great P/U!

[vintagesportscollector]

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?

[batsballsbases]

Nice find Carlton! Love the story!!

[eastonfalcon19]

Great find Carlton! Love the coat too

[ShoelessBob]

Awesome find!

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

[ruth-gehrig]

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

[JoeDfan]

That is awesome!

[ooo-ribay]

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.

[aelefson]

Excellent find! I love the story too.

Alan

[da-bullman]

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

[patricka]

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.