February 2014 Pickups

[perezfan]

That looks great! Nice job polishing it. If your intent is to sell, you just made it a lot more marketable. Beautiful piece!

Regarding the Perez Bat...

No discernable number on knob. There is a hint of old marker, but too faint to even claim its a "24". The bat does measure the correct 35.5" in length. This bat was not well cared for, and probably spent the majority of its life outside/unprotected. It was very dry and weathered when received. I decided to apply a coat of lemon oil to liven it up. From what I've read, this is an acceptable practice, and it really helped bring the wood back to life.

Yes, the bat was worn. But I am nearly positive it's the hickory type. Perez placed an order for one batch of these Hickories in July of 1976. When you see it in person, it's easy to tell the difference between this wood and the far more typical ash model with flame burned finish.

There are other nice indications of game use. Lots of grain swelling from repeated ball contact. It is on the down- side of the barrel, as is correct for Perez gamers. He batted with the H&B trademark pointing away. Some nice ball marks and rack streaks as well. Not sure how it would grade without a discernable number on knob... But for a couple hundred bucks, am quite happy with the purchase. A high grade bicentennial model would easily exceed 4 figures, so (given my current financial state) this was a perfect solution.

Sorry to bore you all to death, but you inquired!

[UnVme7]

[QUOTE=perezfan;1237731

Sorry to bore you all to death, but you inquired![/QUOTE]

Not at all. I was just curious to know if the new owner(you) saw something the seller did not.

I just wish it was in better shape, otherwise it would have a different current owner

[Scott Garner]

Wow, 2014 is off to a terrific start for pickups!

Here are a few truly unique items that I recently acquired that came directly from Johnny Vander Meer's family estate:

- Vander Meer's actual birth certificate

- Vander Meer Honorable Discharge certificate from the US Navy in WWII -

- Vander Meer 1945 US Navy Notice of Separation (lots of great stuff here!)

- Johnny Vander Meer 1971 Old Timers Game (Philadelphia) Louisville Slugger Bat.
This bat is massive in length (36") and weight. When I picked it up to swing it, I found it truly ironic and laughable that they would issue a bat that heavy to someone that was 20 years removed from his playing days.

Babe Ruth himself would have had trouble swinging this bad boy!

[Vintage Yankee]

Originally Posted by Scott Garner

Wow, 2014 is off to a terrific start for pickups!

Here are a few truly unique items that I recently acquired that came directly from Johnny Vander Meer's family estate:

- Vander Meer's actual birth certificate

- Vander Meer Honorable Discharge certificate from the US Navy in WWII -

- Vander Meer 1945 US Navy Notice of Separation (lots of great stuff here!)

- Johnny Vander Meer 1971 Old Timers Game (Philadelphia) Louisville Slugger Bat.
This bat is massive in length and weight. When I picked it up to swing it, I found it truly ironic and laughable that they would issue a bat that heavy to someone that was 20 years removed from his playing days.

Babe Ruth himself would have had trouble swinging this bad boy!

Scott - Great haul - you must be thrilled!

[UnVme7]

Ya know, it seems like almost every photo of Gehrig is of him smiling, with youngsters, or helping out with something. Wish I could've met the man. Seems like he was a real nice guy.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Vintage Yankee

Scott - Great haul - you must be thrilled!

Thanks R.J., I definitely am thrilled. I just received the WWII discharge papers and Vander Meer birth certificate today.

[MVSNYC]

Just acquired another Jeter Gamer from John Taube.

[edtiques]

Here's some photos I picked up of the Detroit Tigers Old Timers picnic/game.There's a total of 19 photos from 1943 and 1949.Any help with ID'ing some of the players would be appreciated.They're a little tough to take pictures of because of the curling of the photos.

[bat_master]

Busy month so far for me...

1967-68 Sal Bando Oakland Athletics Coat (#6 on the sleeve). No evidence of it having a 1969 Centennial patch on the sleeve which prevents it from being from 1969. Also, since it has only the "A" on the front instead of "A's" I believe it also is from before 1970.



Next...

1966 Cleveland Indians Dick Howser road flannel. Number and name change (HOWSER is still visible on the back when held to the light) from 18 to 5. I believe this jersey may have been re-used in 1967 by coach Del Rice who wore #5.





And the final (most significant piece)...

1960 Cleveland Indians Harvey Kuenn home flannel. All original. Has some staining and a few tears here and there, but just a great piece. For those of you who were Indians fans during that time this jersey is of special significance (especially if you believe in the "Curse of Rocky Colavito"). I believe this could have also been worn during spring training of 1960 by Rocky Colavito since Colavito wore #6 in 1959 for the Indians.

This is the very jersey worn on opening day of 1960 by 1959 AL Batting Champ Harvey Kuenn after he was traded from the Detroit Tigers to the Cleveland Indians for 1959 AL HR Champ Rocky Colavito (tied with Killebrew that year with 42 HR). The two teams played each other in Cleveland on Opening Day - April 19, 1960.

Shown below with photos of the jerseys are images that show the jersey being worn by Kuenn. The final image shows the pinstripe matches on the front of the jersey.

[perezfan]

Definite match.... really great stuff... congrats!

[Runscott]

That is a huge match!

[baseball tourist]

Awesome flannels!

[kdixon]

Picked up this stub from Chiefs Super Bowl 4 in KC today.

[mcgwirecom]

That is some awesome Van der Meer stuff Scott!

I recently picked up this ticket stub. May 2nd, 1954, the Cards play a doubleheader against the Giants. Stan Musial becomes the first player to hit 5 home runs in a doubleheader! in attendance that day is an 8 year old Nate Colbert who would go on to duplicate the feat in 1972.

[Lordstan]

Wow. Some great pickups so far.

Scott,
Congrats. Those are some special items. I can only image a personal relic, like glove, uni, hat, or trophy ball, from one of his two no hitters as being a more ultimate VDM pickup than his birth cert or Navy discharge paperwork.

Michael,
I really hope you decide to restore that poster. That blue color looks fantastic and should really pop once done.


My new ones.

1929 type 1 of Lou Gehrig at his home in Larchmont, NY with Benny Bengough showing off some fishing equipment. Very excited to get this one. I already had another picture of the same scene, but it has no slug on it. I thought it was Lou and Bengough at Lou's home, but wasn't sure as their faces are partially obscured. I also didn't know the date. It's nice to be able to confirm the second photo's contents.









1932 type 1 of Gehrig with Bobby Lowe. It goes with the other, more well known, version that I picked up a few years ago.
They were photographed together after Gehrig hit 4 HR in a game, on June 3, 1932. Lowe was the first player in Major League history to hit four home runs in a game, a feat which he accomplished in May 1894.
From Wikipedia
"After Lou Gehrig hit four home runs in a game in 1932, Lowe, wearing his old Beaneaters uniform, posed with Gehrig. Lowe said, "I feel complimented to share the record with so grand a boy."[4] He was 38 years older than Gehrig, but outlived him by 10 years."