Brooks Robinson and the Baltimore Orioles

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by roarfrom34

Here are a couple Red Wings checks made out to Cal Ripken Sr.

Think the checks are a neat collectible for sure.

[Mark70Z]

Day 126 (May 5, 2020 – 126)

Metal thermometer made by Figgie International Inc. of the Norman Rockwell, “Gee, Thanks Brooks” painting image. Made in the good ‘ole U.S.A.

1984 Figgie International Inc. thermometer

Day 126 a (2).jpg

Today I’ll include the December 1, 1994 Sotheby’s auction catalog with the Norman Rockwell “Gee, Thanks, Brooks” on the cover. The Sotheby’s auction is where Brooks bought the original Rockwell painting. Of course, Brooks donated the painting he purchased at Sotheby’s. In a 2015 Forbes article by David Seideman he stated about Brooks, “What better way to celebrate Brooks Robinson than life imitating art. After all, he personifies Rockwell’s patriotic ideals for perseverance, compassion, and teamwork, proving time again that nice guys can finish first.”

Day 126 Publication 1994 Sotheby's December 1 1.jpg

[quitcrab]

What’s the story behind the Rockwell?
So the owner of Rawlings commissioned Rockwell to paint it'? How much did that cost Rawlings??

How much did Brooks pay for the painting at auction?
Who owned the painting when Brooks purchased it ?
How long did Brooks own it? Did it hang in his house?
Who owns it now and, where does it hang?
What did they pay for it ?

I think I know a couple of the answers but I want a expert to chime in .

I like the thermometer Mark posted, rarely do you see a thermometer in the horizontal position.
Also for those who don’t know this, Rockwell painted himself into the crowed.

[roarfrom34]

Bicentennial bat for the month of May is Rich Dauer. I acquired this bat in the same lot as the Willie Royster one I mentioned in an earlier post from a Rochester clubhouse guy. Rich had a monster year with the Red Wings in 1976, hitting .336 & tied with two other players for the International League Player of the Year Award (earning him a call up to Baltimore after their season was over):

[ripfan008]

Good morning,

Lots of items from the Orioles tours of Japan in 1971 and 1984 have been posted on this thread before but I thought today I'd show some of the Japanese magazines that featured Cal on them. Most of these came out in the mid- to late-'90's.

[BaltOrioles]

Originally Posted by ripfan008

Good morning,

Lots of items from the Orioles tours of Japan in 1971 and 1984 have been posted on this thread before but I thought today I'd show some of the Japanese magazines that featured Cal on them. Most of these came out in the mid- to late-'90's.

Those are very cool. I've never seen most of them.

[roarfrom34]

Mike...

I love those Japanese magazines (especially the one with just him & ARod).

Ironically, just last evening I was organizing some books in my library (need to thin the herd) and came across this one. It's the Japanese version of Harvey Rosenfeld's 1995 biography of Cal "Iron Man: The Cal Ripken Jr. Story."

Mr. Rosenfeld was kind enough to thank me in the Acknowledgements, but I'd be damn if I could find it inside this..lol

[BaltOrioles]

Minor league programs are an important part of my collection. Bill's offer to help with some Delmarva Shorebirds items prompted me to post a few more current programs. For many years, teams would generally print one or two different program covers each year. Rarely would teams print more than three or four. That all changed with the Bowie BaySox in 2001 and the Frederick Keys, Delmarva Shorebirds and Aberdeen Ironbirds in 2002. Teams changed from traditional sized programs to what are now often referred to as playbills. Most of you have probably attended a minor league game in recent years and know what I'm talking about.

The playbills are approximately 6x9 and were passed out free to fans entering the game. They contain many of the same features as the old style programs, player stories, schedules, rosters, etc. Many programs feature future Orioles on the cover. In addition to be free to fans, different programs began being printed for each series or homestand. In fact, from 2002 until 2013, the Ironbirds printed a different program each game. Each program was dated. I can't imagine the work involved in updating and printing new programs each game. Getting a program or two from each year is quite simple, but of course I'm trying to get copies of every issue throughout the years.

Here's my progress - Most of my needs are from 2001-2004

Bowie BaySox 222 out of 256 (Missing 34)
Frederick Keys 176 out of 185 (Missing 9)
Delmarva Shorebirds 236 out of 246 (Missing 10)
Aberdeen Ironbirds 1752 out of 1753 (only missing the Aug 12, 2016 issue)


Bowie BaySox Programs from 2001, 2007, 2014 and 2016

2001 Bowie BaySox #13.jpg 2007 Bowie BaySox #9.jpg

2014 Bowie BaySox #1.jpg 2016 Bowie BaySox #5.jpg


Frederick Keys Programs from 2002, 2006, 2015 and 2018

2002 Frederick Keys #2.jpg 2006 Frederick Keys #3.jpg

2015 Frederick Keys #4.jpg 2018 Frederick Keys #2.JPG


Delmarva Shorebirds Programs from 2003, 2009, 2013 and 2019

2003 Delmarva Shorebirds #3.jpg 2009 Delmarva Shorebirds #6.jpg

2013 Delmarva Shorebirds #7.jpg 2019 Delmarva Shorebirds #11.JPG


Aberdeen Ironbirds Programs from 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, 2011, 2019

2002 Aberdeen Ironbirds #1.jpg 2003 Aberdeen Ironbirds #1.jpg

2005 Aberdeen Ironbirds #37.jpg 2007 Aberdeen Ironbirds #36.jpg

2011 Aberdeen Ironbirds #18.jpg 2019 Aberdeen Ironbirds #10.JPG

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by quitcrab

What’s the story behind the Rockwell?
So the owner of Rawlings commissioned Rockwell to paint it'? How much did that cost Rawlings??

How much did Brooks pay for the painting at auction?
Who owned the painting when Brooks purchased it ?
How long did Brooks own it? Did it hang in his house?
Who owns it now and, where does it hang?
What did they pay for it ?

I think I know a couple of the answers but I want a expert to chime in .

I like the thermometer Mark posted, rarely do you see a thermometer in the horizontal position.
Also for those who don’t know this, Rockwell painted himself into the crowed.

Scott,

My answers may be way off, but I’ll give it a shot at what I remember (or remember incorrectly). Figgie with Rawlings did commission Rockwell to conduct the painting in 1971. While Rockwell did do some sports related paintings this is the only one to my knowledge that features one player. Unsure what the commission price was at the time.

In 1994 Harry Figgie sold Rawlings Sporting Goods and with it he sold the Rockwell painting of Brooks at auction. So, Rawlings owned the Rockwell painting till sold that year in the Sotheby’s auction. I believe Brooks paid around 200k for the painting at the time in this auction.

I know Heritage handled the sale of the Rockwell in 2006. Unsure who owns it now.

[quitcrab]

Thanks Mark for the Rockwell info.., I am to lazy to look it up... what did the painting sell for at Heritage? I think Brooks got it for a steal at 200000.

[Mark70Z]

Originally Posted by quitcrab

Thanks Mark for the Rockwell info.., I am to lazy to look it up... what did the painting sell for at Heritage? I think Brooks got it for a steal at 200000.

The "Gee, Thanks Brooks" within the Heritage auction was offered via Private Treaty. Think a Private Treaty the seller/dealer decides to put a fixed price on their property or item and a price range. Now who bought it or was it bought I don’t know.

[Mark70Z]

You guys...Those foreign magazines are really cool! I wish back in the day they would have featured more players from the US than they did. There are a few, but are scarce for sure.

[roarfrom34]

Originally Posted by quitcrab

Thanks Mark for the Rockwell info.., I am to lazy to look it up... what did the painting sell for at Heritage? I think Brooks got it for a steal at 200000.

I read the reason that Brooks "got it for a steal" was that once it was known that he was bidding on it, other potential bidders backed off out of respect so that Brooks could win it.

Brooks loaned the painting to the Sports Legends Museum next to Camden Yards and I know that every time I went in, I made a point to go look at it.

[roarfrom34]

2001 Topps Combo Cal Ripken Jr./Lou Gehrig card displayed along with it's original artwork: