A group of five photographs, taken by a fan witnessing Lou Gehrig’s famous “luckiest man” speech at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939 have been uncovered and are being offered at auction for the first time. While captured from a distance, the images were taken from a vantage point above and behind home plate and offer a unique, new perspective of the emotional event at which … [Read more...]
Original 1939 Hall of Fame Class Photo at Auction
Baseball's Hall of Fame added some new members on Sunday and while thousands turned out to welcome the 2019 class, there will never be another like the one inducted 80 years ago when the Cooperstown shrine was new. When that first group of baseball legends posed for a group photo in June of 1939, it was a moment for the ages captured by several photographers who had made … [Read more...]
1939 Packers Team Signed Football at Auction is Rare Pre-War NFL Relic
While it’s not unusual to find team-signed baseballs from the 1930s and even earlier, similar memorabilia from the National Football League is virtually unheard of. The fragile nature of an inflatable football, the passage of time and the comparative lack of interest makes any multi-signed relic from the pre-War era of the NFL pretty rare today. Enter the current Heritage … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Ailing Gehrig Captains Yanks in 1939 Series
Likely still in the dark about the awful fate that was to come, the newspapers were not kind to Lou Gehrig as the 1939 World Series approached. "Rusted and retired" wrote one Associated Press scribe in a reference to Gehrig, extolling the defensive prowess of Babe Dahlgren, who had taken Gehrig's place after the Iron Horse's streak came to an end with his ALS … [Read more...]
Autographed Ball from First Hall of Fame Class Brings $623,369
A baseball signed by 11 members of Major League Baseball’s original 1939 Hall of Fame inductees sold for $623,369 early Sunday morning at SCP Auctions. The Reach Official American League ball has the signatures of Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb, Cy Young, Tris Speaker, George Sisler, Walter Johnson, Connie Mack, Nap Lajoie, Eddie Collins and Pete Alexander, all in strong … [Read more...]
Rare Cards, One-of-a-Kind Memorabilia on Block as SCP Auctions Opens Summer Sale
SCP Auctions opened its 2018 Summer Premium Auction Wednesday with several hundred items ranging from historic game-used memorabilia to rare autographs and important baseball cards inside the company’s latest catalog. Set to run through August 11, the auction includes items from the 19th century to the present day. Among the vintage sports card listings are a rare 1914 … [Read more...]
Signed Ball from 11 Original Hall of Fame Inductees Could Fetch Record Price
Once the property of an autograph seeking player, a baseball signed by 11 members of Major League Baseball’s original 1939 Hall of Fame inductees will be brought to auction starting on July 25. The Reach Official American League ball boasts the signatures of Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Ty Cobb, Cy Young, Tris Speaker, George Sisler, Walter Johnson, Connie Mack, Nap Lajoie, … [Read more...]
Signed 1939 First Day Covers Uncovered in Chicago
Sports memorabilia appraisal fairs don’t always turn up terrific pieces of history. More often than not, it’s a box of baseball cards from the 1980s or 90s or a box of souvenir type items that would be better suited for a garage sale than a major auction catalog. But sometimes… Heritage Auctions recently opened an office in Chicago and last month, an older man … [Read more...]
What I Collect: Keeping Johnny Vander Meer Memories Alive
This is the latest in an ongoing series of articles written by readers who tell the stories of the sports memorabilia they collect and why. I learned about Johnny Vander Meer in 1996, when my wife and I moved to Midland Park, New Jersey. I soon became fascinated with his story—small town boy becomes major leaguer, sets record in his rookie season that no one … [Read more...]
Gehrig Hands Job to Dahlgren: RMY Auction Opens with Important Photo
Lou Gehrig was as confused as those who were watching the inexplicable, sudden demise of baseball’s greatest player. He’d felt tired midway through the 1938 season but hoped a few months of rest would lead to a better year in 1939. It didn’t happen. In fact, things had gotten so bad that by the end of April, the Yankees’ stoic captain had made the decision to … [Read more...]