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...]
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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...]
Ultimate 1930s TTM Effort Lands Hall of Fame Autographs
Sunday’s induction ceremony at the Baseball Hall of Fame continued a tradition that began in Cooperstown back in the 1930s when the idea was conceived and the first players were inducted. You may have seen a few first day covers featuring signatures of Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Cy Young, Walter Johnson and the other greats who were inducted. Stamp clubs made it a project to … [Read more...]
2nd Casting of Gehrig’s Hall of Fame Plaque Art Discovered
A previously unknown bronze bas-relief plaque adornment cast from the same mold as Lou Gehrig's Baseball HOF plaque has been discovered and consigned to an upcoming auction. The bronze likeness of Gehrig, with baseball bats and a laurel branch, was designed and cast by artisan George Seaman at the Steinmeier Bronze Tablet Co., in 1939, the year of Gehrig’s retirement. The … [Read more...]
Photo Shows 1939 Baseball Centennial Covers
Collecting was a big part of the opening of the Baseball Hall of Fame back in 1939. Proof of that can be seen in a rare photograph from the archives of The Sporting News. The 5 ¾” x 7 ¼” image shows stacks of envelopes and a woman holding sheets of the new Baseball Centennial stamps as workers in the Cooperstown, New York post office piece together first day covers with the … [Read more...]
1939 Gehrig Interview: Autograph Seekers Part of Series Distraction
His baseball career was over and within two years, so would Lou Gehrig's life. But the summer of 1939, he was still a vibrant man just months removed from the playing fields where he'd become a huge star. He was a celebrity even in places where there were no major league teams--like Rochester, MN. It was there, at the home of the Mayo Clinic, where Gehrig agreed to a local … [Read more...]
Gehrig Sits: Iconic Photo at Auction
RMY Auctions has opened its May event with more than 300 vintage photographs on the block including an iconic image of Lou Gehrig, taken the day after his streak of 2,130 games played came to an end. The 8x10 Gehrig photo, taken May 2, 1939, shows Gehrig casually leaning forward during warm ups, but no doubt wondering why his athletic body seemed to suddenly be failing him. … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Jackie Robinson, Gridiron Star
Seventy-five years ago this fall, a star athlete was the talk of west coast college football. Jackie Robinson had transferred from Pasadena City College and his impact on the Bruins’ athletic program was immediate. On October 7, during a game in Seattle, he grabbed a Washington punt and darted 63 yards to set up a touchdown by Kenny Washington, one of four African-American … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Ted Williams Rookie Image a Stunner
Seventy-five years ago last spring, a 20-year-old ballplayer from San Diego, CA drove across the country, arriving at the Boston Red Sox spring training camp a few days late. Ted Williams was their best prospect and to those who knew baseball talent , it was obvious he had the skill to play at the major league level. He made his debut in April, posing for a photograph that … [Read more...]
