Collector Richard Merkin, my Dear Friend, Has Died

[base_ball]

Merkin, a true renaissance man, was often mentioned as one of America's best-dressed men back in the day. In his later years, a pillbox baseball cap replaced a derby atop his head. I only met him twice, but he was quite the fellow.

[Ladder7]

The years soar by. Nice tribute Barry. I'm sorry for the loss of your friend.

[barrysloate]

Thanks everyone. If you look at the back row of the cover, you will see Poe, Fred Astaire (I think), and then Richard to his right.

Richard told the story that when the album first came out, legions of fans tried to identify everyone on the cover. Many were easy, but of course Richard's portrait was the stumbling block. There were many guesses, and the name that most came up was Hitler! True story, and he was both shocked and amused that people thought that's who it was.

[bigtrain]

I believe that it was Mr. Merkin that I met years ago at a Lelands live auction. Don't remember which one but I recall he mentioned that he had illustrated a baseball book by Lawrence Ritter. Is anyone familiar with it?

[barrysloate]

Richard was a fixture at all the Leland's auctions.

The book he did with Larry Ritter, who was one of his closest friends, was: "Leagues Apart, The Men and Times of the Negro Baseball Leagues." Richard did numerous paintings for the book.

I just flipped through the pages of my copy and saw he inscribed it :"to the Sloates with affection, R.M." Very sad.

[benjulmag]

Thank you Barry for that very moving tribute. I too knew Richard and was very saddened when Barry told me of his passing. Richard was a man with tremendous passions in all he pursued, as well as a loyal and trusting friend. I will miss him very much. My sincere condolences to his family and friends.

[autograf]

Not to get too far off topic but in case you wanted to know who else was on that cover..........
http://punk-music.suite101.com/artic...t_pepper_cover



Fantastic tribute Barry. Were we all so lucky to have a friend so eloquent as you......

[brickyardkennedy]

That was a lovely tribute to your friend that you posted, Barry and I'm sorry for your loss.

All these decades I too, believed that was Adolph H's pic., much to my embarrassment.

[BillyCoxDodgers3B]

I had honestly never heard of Richard until Barry's post. This man sounds like the kind of fellow you only encounter once in a lifetime.

[2dueces]

Barry, Sorry to hear of your loss and my thoughts go out to his family. Joe

[19cbb]

Barry, very sorry for the loss of your friend. Best wishes to his family.