The Memorabilia/Autograph that got away

[HexsHeroes]

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Orlin Collier single-signed baseball. Very obscure Detroit Tigers ballplayer and autograph, with considerable PCL/minor league history.

With four days left in the eBay auction for this item, there were bids placed by only two bidders (of which I was one). Next thing I know, listing no longer available. I'm left wondering what happened ? I attempt to contact seller numerous times, but no response.

I later found out the details when I just happened to meet the other bidder (it pays to be familar with eBay ID names) at the 2001 National Show in Cleveland. Turns out the SELLER contacted the other bidder and offered to sell him outright, this signed ball (which he accepted).

I'm still debating whether the moral to my story is that it pays to always be the high bidder during the course of an auction. I suspect that had I been the high bidder in this instance, I would have been given the outright offer to buy.

[olsport]

I will try and tell this story as short as I can. The item is this huge 1890s baseball team photo.
I worked at a law office with a guy (Jack) that collected old baseball memorabilia, and he invited me over to check out some of it. I saw this massive Eclipse team photo in original frame on his wall and I was hooked! I asked if it was for sale and he said no.
That piece started me on a 20 year collecting adventure for any antique sports memorabilia item I could find. I went to garage sales, flea markets, antique & collectibles shows, card shows, ect. almost every weekend. Then about 10 years later, Jack said he would sell me the photo for 250.00. What I did to raise most of the money was sell an off condition Reggie Jackson Rookie card for 200.00, then added another 50.00. The photo has been on my wall ever since, and I enjoy it every day just as much as the very first day I saw it! If anyone has any idea who each player was, and where the team is from please let me know!
Olsport