George J Mullin's Personal Scrapbooks

[FourStrikes]

perhaps a local Detroit hall of fame / Tigers historical society would have a greater appreciation for the item...scrapbooks in my experience have never brought great bank ($$$), but to the right person / historical institution - big OR small - they're a nice piece of history.

neat item either way, and best of luck whatever your decision - good luck.

[rhettyeakley]

Do not donate them to the Hall of Fame or anything. Auction house is probably the way to go, may not bring a ton of money but someone would love to own them and may actually look at them periodically unlike the HOF that will set them on a shelf and they will literally never see the light of day ever again.

I love museums as an institution and if you have something that will actually be put on display that is the route to go, but an item of this nature will never be on display and will sit on a shelf.

I can't help but think of all the work and time Jefferson Burdick dedicated to his collection, he donated them to a museum and they have never done anything with them other than a small rotating display they they seem to look down on having to put out there!

[Hot Springs Bathers]

If there is no big value, history trumps collecting every time. The research value here could and would be invaluable.

The Baseball Hall of Fame is in a class by itself for both displaying and providing the research materials for baseball historians. They are friendly and everything is accessible.

I certainly can't speak to Mr. Burdick's collection and what has or does happen in New York. The failings of the BBHOF at one time was to trust people in their research department. As we know not all collectors can be trusted. Actually that is a bad statement, those people stealing are not true collectors or researchers like most on this board. They were simply thieves. That is not what our hobby is about but as we all know sometimes the wrong people creep in.

I also believe people should do with their holdings what they choose, but to criticize the Hall of Fame is wrong, they do a wonderful job.

[Hot Springs Bathers]

Mark, Tom & Rhett please understand this is just my opinion, in no way is it an attack on your opinions.

[cfhofer]

Appreciate all the great advice and suggestions from the forum members. I will probably sell them to a passionate Detroit Tiger collector/fan, who can appreciate their historical significance, or donate to a local Detroit museum (Bentley Historical).

I noticed on the reverse of the Mrs. Ty Cobb business card a little note in reference to the birth of George Henry. Unfortunately, he passed away in infancy (1914). Can't tell if the handwriting is Ty Cobb's or not. Any thoughts on this?

Thanks again guys!

Mark

[tjb1952tjb]

I'm certainly no expert, but I looked at several exemplars of Ty Cobb's handwriting online (there are several handwritten letters....you can Google them). I don't think your example is Ty Cobb. The letter "g" is consistently different in the online examples, among other differences. But, again, I'm no expert............perhaps others with more knowledge will respond. I know there are several signature/handwriting experts on this board.