Huggins and Scott’s final Masterpiece Auction of 2011 launched Monday. Bidding is available until Thursday night December 1 with the 30-minute rule beginning at 11:00 p.m. Eastern time. Among the items up for grabs is a Babe Ruth single-signed baseball PSA/DNA 6 (Autograph grade 7); a 1925 Christy Mathewson signed players’ contract; a 1970 Roberto Clemente signed letter on … [Read more...]
The Big Show: Charles M. Conlon’s Golden Age Baseball Photographs
Fans of vintage baseball photography are licking their chops over a new book featuring more photographs from the archives of Charles M. Conlin. Conlon turned out massive quantities of striking black and white images from the first half of the 20th century. His work has been the subject of books, baseball card sets and obsessive hunts by collectors looking for first … [Read more...]
World Series Programs Still Popular
The first ones, published more than a century ago, were simply scorecards. Several ads and a blank page for fans who knew how to keep score. Eventually, World Series programs evolved into 300-page keepsakes priced higher than a ticket was in the early days. In between, the covers were veritable works of art, often reflecting the era in which the games were played. They've … [Read more...]
Vintage Cards, Autographs, Memorabilia All Part of Huggins & Scott Auction
Huggins & Scott opens its fall auction today with over 1,000 lots up for bid. The company acquired several consignments at the recent National Sports Collectors Convention and through its network of nationwide field reps. The marquee collectibles in the auction include the only graded example of the 1968 Topps 3-D Brooks Robinson prototype, Ed Lopat’s 1949 New York … [Read more...]
Editor’s Blog: Panini-Art Settle Suit; Conlon Party; Stolen Rare Photo on eBay?
Charles Conlon, the photographer who chronicled baseball’s development in the early 20th century, will have a showing of twenty of his major works at the Openhouse Gallery, 201 Mulberry Street in New York City, on Monday evening, September 19. The invitation-only event will include five original works of art replicating the Conlon Collection by the celebrated photorealist … [Read more...]
REA Claims Lawsuit “Frivilous”
A collector of rare, vintage baseball memorabilia filed suit in a Manhattan court Monday, asking for over $1 million in damages and punitive damages over items purchased at auction. Corey Shanus, a New York collector and attorney who specializes in 19th century baseball items, says he bought period pieces that turned to have been manufactured much later. In the suit, … [Read more...]
1914 World Series Ring May Bust Myth
The 1914 Boston Braves were a team for the ages. Trailing the first place New York Giants by 11 games on July 18, the team that would be dubbed the "Miracle Braves" went on a tear. They won 60 of their last 76 games to win the pennant, then disposed of the heavily favored Philadelphia Athletics in the World Series. Now, a relic from that legendary team is giving collectors … [Read more...]
2011 Allen and Ginter Baseball Information
Topps continues one of its more popular non-base card brands this summer with the release of 2011 Allen & Ginter. The quirky cards modeled after the 19th century Allen & Ginter tobacco set are part baseball, part history, part educational and part wacky. The company released preliminary product information and images for this year's set on Monday. Topps … [Read more...]
World’s Best Dodgers’ Collection on Block
He went to his first Brooklyn Dodgers' game in 1944. The collecting started that day for Sal LaRocca and never stopped. Until now. The Chattanooga, Tenn. resident has consigned much of what he has accumulated over the years and the auction is underway. LaRocca's Brooklyn Dodgers memorabilia collection is generally regarded as the best in existence and includes 1950s … [Read more...]
Collector’s Guide to Pujols Bats
Card collectors may gravitate toward his 2001 rookie cards, but those who want something connected a little more closely to one of this century's greatest hitters focus on Albert Pujols game used bats. Finding a real one is more challenging than ever. Jeff Scott is a collector of Cardinals bats who spends hours studying what Pujols is swinging. It's an effort that has … [Read more...]