Your top finds for 2011

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by Oldtix

I've been actively collecting for over 40 years, and 2011 was absolutely one of my very best for great finds at shows, shops and online. The best sports items included 1914 and 1915 World Series programs, a 1935 Kool Cigarettes Kentucky Derby radio broadcast advertising sign, a program for the 1977 "Rudy" Notre Dame-Georgia Tech football game and a 2001 post-9/11 Kevin Millwood Atlanta Braves jersey (perhaps the one he wore to clinch the pennant). But as in 2010, my favorite pickups were non-sports.



First, a full set of DICK TRACY SECRET SERVICE PATROL radio premium badges issued by Quaker Cereals back in 1938. The "Inspector General" and "Patrol Leader" badges are quite rare; in fact, only a handful of the "Patrol Leader" badges are known to exist. The lack of any Dick Tracy identification on the Patrol Leader badge is one reason. The other reason is that exploitation of little kids is not a recent development.

Badges were earned by sending in Quaker Puffed Wheat and Puffed Rice boxtops. Two boxtops was all it took to become a Member. You could become a Sergeant for 5 more boxtops. For only 7 more boxtops, a Sergeant could be promoted to Lieutenant. When the Lieutenant sent in another 10, he became a Captain. The highest rank...Inspector General...only took 15 more boxtops. That's right...to become an Inspector General, the poor kid had to eat 39 boxes of cereal! The Patrol Leader rank could be yours if you could recruit five friends to give you two boxtops each and add two more yourself...bringing the total to 51 boxtops to acquire the badges shown in the photo! I suspect the life expectancy of Patrol Leaders was a matter of months.

In 2010, I was amazed to pick up an incredible set of original 1936 "FLASH GORDON" serial lobby cards (chapter 12) in their original Universal Pictures distribution envelope at an antique show. This year, the same seller confessed she had two additional sets...a condition I was pleased to cure. These are from chapter 10 and from the feature version released that same year.





Finally, here's a 1935 Joe Louis chalkware lamp that belonged to my Dad. It took five years to convince my sister that it was my turn to have it at my house. Never seen another one; it's a beauty.

Jeez Rick. Would I love to follow you around a show for a weekend. Your Premiums Collection is mind-boggling, as is your Lobby Card and Ticket Collection. I'm absolutely amazed at the constant top-notch condition of EVERYTHING you have collected, including your superb Baseball Advertising pieces. You RULE Rick!

[Scott Garner]

First, a full set of DICK TRACY SECRET SERVICE PATROL radio premium badges issued by Quaker Cereals back in 1938. The "Inspector General" and "Patrol Leader" badges are quite rare; in fact, only a handful of the "Patrol Leader" badges are known to exist. The lack of any Dick Tracy identification on the Patrol Leader badge is one reason. The other reason is that exploitation of little kids is not a recent development.

Badges were earned by sending in Quaker Puffed Wheat and Puffed Rice boxtops. Two boxtops was all it took to become a Member. You could become a Sergeant for 5 more boxtops. For only 7 more boxtops, a Sergeant could be promoted to Lieutenant. When the Lieutenant sent in another 10, he became a Captain. The highest rank...Inspector General...only took 15 more boxtops. That's right...to become an Inspector General, the poor kid had to eat 39 boxes of cereal! The Patrol Leader rank could be yours if you could recruit five friends to give you two boxtops each and add two more yourself...bringing the total to 51 boxtops to acquire the badges shown in the photo! I suspect the life expectancy of Patrol Leaders was a matter of months.

Rick,
Great pickups in 2011! Your detailed description of how many boxes of cereal you needed to eat to gain all the Dick Tracy premium badges is a hoot!! I especially like the part about the life expectency of Patrol Leaders.

I remember that as a kid I had to eat 20 boxes of Zoom cereal in order to get my first baseball mitt- a Wally Moon special. Believe me, eating 20 boxes of Zoom cereal was a yeoman's task. Zoom was a hot cereal that tasted similar to hot oatmeal. Talking about being burned out- yikes! I can't imagine eating 51 boxes of any cereal.

Exploited for sure, but I loved that first mitt and I still have it around somewhere...

[Oldtix]

Thanks for the nice comments guys, and thanks for sharing your fantastic finds throughout the year. Glad to read that I'm not alone in my fond memories of the Sears Christmas catalogs - here are a few more to stoke the happy thoughts! (top row - 1962, 1964, 1965; bottom row - 1966, 1967, 1968 and 1969). If anyone wants to see the ad for their favorite toy, drop me a note and I'll scan if for you.

[Vintage Yankee]

Although I don't post pickups too often, figured I'd add to the thread. Nothing mind-blowing, but here are some representative pick-ups in a number of areas...

Inspired by Jimmy, a photo and the obligatory companion piece:


My first trophy & buckle:


A couple of bats - Crosetti (thanks to a fellow Forum member) & Jeter:


My earliest Highlanders Program (thanks to a fellow Forum member) and a neat 19c broadside:


A couple of Kreindler candidates - Selkirk & Larsen PG:


A bat rack that works within my space constraints (along with my own modification):


And last but certainly not least - non-vintage but a classic nonetheless - the game used lineup card (Arizona dugout) from Game 4 of the 2001 WS - the "Mr. November" game:

[Bugsy]

Not sure if I posted this pickup on this side of the forum. It's a 1910 Hal Chase Fan for a Fan.

[stone193]

I've got to catch up on some of the stuff I just saw and the focus.

Jimmy - I'm really envious of Beatles collectors! It's just so broad and so much cool stuff. Very cool pickup. I also remember looking at catalogs and "dreaming" as a kid! Superb!

Rich - what can I say - the Dick Tracy premiums are incredible! I've never seen that many. The Flash Gordon LC's are incredible - I do remember the serial on TV when I was a kid.

RJ - I don't collect trophies - your first pick is very nice looking - I think you picked a beauty - congratulations.

Chris - that'a a really nice Chase fan.

Thanx for sharing!

[mschwade]

Originally Posted by Vintage Yankee

And last but certainly not least - non-vintage but a classic nonetheless - the game used lineup card (Arizona dugout) from Game 4 of the 2001 WS - the "Mr. November" game:

INCREDIBLE! Where did you land that from? Great addition, Congratulations! Tino's homer will always be at the top of my list in the moments of Glory!

[thetahat]

I collect only pennants - almost exclusively baseball - but this Eagles pennant surfaced at a flea market of all places. Never seen one this color (red/gray) before.

[GKreindler]

RJ, I agree with Matt on that sentiment - a WONDERFUL piece.

Also, you're darn right about that Selkirk image - I'd love to get it to canvas!!

Graig

[Vintage Yankee]

Originally Posted by mschwade

INCREDIBLE! Where did you land that from? Great addition, Congratulations! Tino's homer will always be at the top of my list in the moments of Glory!

Matt,

Thanks. Took me about 3 years of patience to land that from a fellow collector.

I was a Yankees season ticketholder at the time and attended all 3 home games in that Series. From The President and Clemens in Game 3 to Tino and Jeter in Game 4 to the O'Neill farewell and Brosius in Game 5 - that 52-hour stretch of baseball is near impossible to match up against from my perspective, even though the Yanks didn't win in the end.

R.J.

[mschwade]

Originally Posted by Vintage Yankee

Matt,

Thanks. Took me about 3 years of patience to land that from a fellow collector.

I was a Yankees season ticketholder at the time and attended all 3 home games in that Series. From The President and Clemens in Game 3 to Tino and Jeter in Game 4 to the O'Neill farewell and Brosius in Game 5 - that 52-hour stretch of baseball is near impossible to match up against from my perspective, even though the Yanks didn't win in the end.

R.J.

Good things come to those that wait... Always easier said than done! You're right... The entire series will never be topped.