A Lou Gehrig autographed baseball mitt handed to a young family friend who played catch with the legendary Hall of Famer will headline the annual All-Star FanFest Auction in Minneapolis next month.
The first baseman’s glove was given by Lou Gehrig to a young Howard Brost Henderson in the mid 1930’s after a visit by Gehrig at the Henderson family home in Bronxville, NY. The glove had been in quietly residing in Henderson’s possession for close to 80 years until he decided to consign it to the auction. According to Hunt Auctions, Henderson’s parents were friendly with Lou Gehrig and his wife Eleanor. As a young boy, Henderson became acquainted with the Gehrigs and spent time with the great first baseman on several occasions.
Henderson, a retired architect who lives in Greenwich, CT, will turn 92 on Friday according to Fox News. Ironically, it’s the 75th anniversary of Gehrig’s famous July 4th farewell speech at Yankee Stadium in which he stated he considered himself “the luckiest man on the face of the earth” despite being diagnosed with ALS, the disease which eventually too his life.
“Lou Gehrig gave me this glove, one of his first baseman’s gloves he had used and broken in,” Henderson said. “I used this glove just once playing catch with Lou. My mother suggested that I should ask Lou to sign it on his next visit which he obliged while I held the glove on the table in the library of our very own family home. I have had it in my possession ever since and count that day as one of the greatest memories of my life.”
A Roy Campanella Hall of Fame induction ring and a Jackie Robinson bat both estimated at $50,000-$100,000 and numerous items related to Minnesota Twins Hall of Famer Harmon Killebrew will also be offered to the collecting public as part of the annual auction, which takes place just hours before the MLB All-Star Game. The live portion of the auction will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
Over 450 items will be sold to bidders including a large number of items related to the career of star players from the Minnesota Twins franchise. A 1988 Killebrew “Babe Ruth Crown” for career achievement is estimated to sell for $40,000-$60,000. A 1958 Killebrew Washington Senators professional model home jersey should realize $30,000-$40,000 and professional model jerseys from Twins greats Kirby Puckett (1991) and Rod Carew (1978) each expected to sell for $7,500-$10,000.
“We are thrilled and honored to conduct the live auction at T-Mobile All-Star FanFest marking our tenth year,” said David Hunt, President, Hunt Auctions. “The Twin Cities region promises to be a superb location for the events and we are inherently confident that the loyal fan base of the Twins franchise will make this year’s Auction and Appraisal Fair a marked success.”
Professional model Jackie Robinson and Ted Williams bats and a Bill Mazeroski game worn Pirates uniform will also be offered.
Hunt Auctions will also sell the personal collections of some current and former players including items consigned by Jeff Torborg, whose 50-year career as a player coach and manager includes:
- 1967 Willie Mays MLBAll-Star Game professional model baseball bat (Est. $10,000-$20,000)
- 1967 Hank Aaron MLB All-Star Game professional model baseball bat (Est. $10,000-$20,000)
- Sept. 9, 1965 Sandy Koufax Perfect Game autographed game used baseball (Est. $10,000-$15,000)
- May 15, 1973 Nolan Ryan No-Hitter game used baseball (Est. $5,000-$7,500)
Items from the collection of the late Mike Flanagan, a former pitcher, team executive and TV broadcaster for the Baltimore Orioles will also be offered. The Flanagan family is donating a portion of the auction proceeds to benefit the Adolescent Depression Awareness Program in the Johns Hopkins Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Johns Hopkins Medical Center in Baltimore. Lots include:
- Flanagan’s 1979 Cy Young Award (Est. $30,000-$50,000)
- His 1983 Orioles World Series ring (Est. $5,000-$10,000)
- Babe Ruth autographed baseball bat (Est. $7,500-$10,000)
The personal collection of Kansas City Monarchs Negro League player Walter “Newt” Joseph includes:
- Two scarce 1924 Inaugural Negro League World Series photos(Est. $10,000-$20,000 each)
- Wilbur “Bullet” Rogan autographed photograph (Est. $10,000-$15,000)
Pittsburgh Pirates star Andrew McCutchen is also consigning to the live auction, offering his custom designed cleats that he wore in honor of Jackie Robinson Day on April 15. The proceeds will benefit Habitat for Humanity.
A complete list of items available at the Auction is available at www.huntauctions.com.
Hunt Auctions will again conduct daily silent auctions held exclusively for visitors of T-Mobile All-Star FanFest on Friday, July 11-Monday, July 14 featuring vintage and modern era items for less than $1,000. In addition, the auction company will conduct a complimentary appraisal fair. Select items may be consigned to the live auction. Attendees can call ahead to schedule a private consultation at 610.524.0822.
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