Sotherby's Lou Gehrig Day - 1999 - Barry Halper

[Snapolit1]

Thanks. I guess I've heard his name a few times and now that I think of it there was some scandal or 2 or 3 attached to it.

I was hoping to start a thread about positive memories of a great auction. Sure doesn't look like it's going in that direction. For those who have been around for over 20 years, sure this subject has been covered extensively if not ad naseum.

[packs]

Is there any truth to the rumor that Halper would invite someone over to his house, leave some "valuable" baseball cards out, excuse himself and watch from another room to see if the person stole his stuff?

[BobC]

Originally Posted by Snapolit1

Thanks. I guess I've heard his name a few times and now that I think of it there was some scandal or 2 or 3 attached to it.

I was hoping to start a thread about positive memories of a great auction. Sure doesn't look like it's going in that direction. For those who have been around for over 20 years, sure this subject has been covered extensively if not ad naseum.

Steve,

There were many great and fantastic items in that auction, and in Halper's overall collection. It later came out there were also many fraudulent and supposedly stolen items in the collection as well. Personally, I don't know enough about which items were or were not tainted that may have been included in the particular auction you're talking about. So, speaking just for myself, I'd hate to comment on any particular item and laud it and its history, only to find out another member with more knowledge and a better memory corrects me by chiming in about how this or that particular item ended up being fraudulent or proven to have been stolen. It is obvious that Halper had a fantastic eye and great knowledge when it came to these items and memorabilia in his fantastic collection. But then it also begs the question, was Halper possibly that ignorant that he was totally unaware of all the supposedly fake/fraudulent and stolen items he had, or was he just being quiet? I never personally knew, nor ever even met, Barry Halper, but from what I've heard and read about him from others, he sure didn't seem to be or ever come across as someone that was in any way ignorant when it came to this hobby, and especially in regard to the items in his collection.

Not necessarily a bad idea for a thread, and wouldn't mind looking back through such a catalog myself. But just know that there may be a taint to the auction/collection. My apologies for mentioning it myself. Wasn't trying to kill your thread, just being honest based on what I've heard/seen. He still probably amassed one of, if not the most, famous, significant, and important memorabilia collections ever put together, even though some items in it may have been fake or tainted. As someone else already mentioned, for many of us with large collections, the chances of us unknowingly having some fake and/or altered/doctored items in our collections is probably much greater than any of us would want to believe. And as for items that may have been stolen from someone else at one time before we ended up acquiring them, that chance is probably more than any of us would like it to be also. Sadly, it is part of the hobby we can't totally get away from.

[Jewish-collector]

Steve - You know better than to start a controversial thread.

[Snapolit1]

Originally Posted by Jewish-collector

Steve - You know better than to start a controversial thread.

I was sort of hoping people didn't think I was being a wise ass here, acting stupid, just trotting out an over flowing gas can and a few matches. I didn't make the connection.
Oh well.

I wonder how much of his tainted stuff has passed through many hands over the years to the point that the taint has worn off and they are being sold by reputable AHs and now in people's collections unknowingly.

[Fred]

It's worth looking through the catalogs. There's a lot more legit stuff than non-legit. You can start keeping track of the non-legit stuff by keeping a log of the stuff.

Yes, it sucks that there were some things that were "misappropriated" or "misrepresented" but again, exceptions not the rule. Don't let the bad outweigh the fun of getting a catalog and thumbing through it.

[Snapolit1]

THanks.

Originally Posted by Fred

It's worth looking through the catalogs. There's a lot more legit stuff than non-legit. You can start keeping track of the non-legit stuff by keeping a log of the stuff.

Yes, it sucks that there were some things that were "misappropriated" or "misrepresented" but again, exceptions not the rule. Don't let the bad outweigh the fun of getting a catalog and thumbing through it.

[MVSNYC]

Fred: +1

I've heard some stories about fake stuff, unfortunately, which absolutely sucks. But, the huge majority of his collection was real, and amazing.

I was at the sale, and have the (huge, incredible) catalog set. If you don't own the set, it's a must get. Look on Amazon or eBay.

[Schwertfeger1007]

Didn't he have a pretty decent collection of cards as well?

Was it just the memorabilia that was questionable or some of the cards as well?