Bill Mazeroski’s walk-off homer to win the 1960 World Series remains one of the top moments in Pittsburgh sports history. Some might lean toward Franco Harris’ “Immaculate Reception” in the 1972 NFL playoffs, but Mazeroski’s feat at Forbes Field was equally jaw-dropping. Mazeroski’s solo shot off Ralph Terry to lead off the ninth inning of Game 7 ended a wild Fall … [Read more...]
1913 Voskamp Cards Featured Honus Wagner, Pittsburgh Pirates
Regional pre-war sets are, as expected, usually quite rare. Such is the case with a little-discussed set produced by Voskamp's Coffee and Tea in 1913. 1913 Voskamp's Basics These cards were the creation of a company called B.H. Voskamp's Sons, Inc., a wholesale grocer in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The company was located at Penn Avenue and 11th Street, which is right in the … [Read more...]
In Danger? Honus Wagner Fears for His Life in 1910 Notebook Entry
Among the items in the current Robert Edward Auctions catalog are two personal notebooks kept by Honus Wagner. That would be enough to draw the interest of most fans of baseball history but what's inside one of them is a fascinating and cryptic reference to fears for his life--and an informal will. The two books date back to approximately 1904 and 1910. They are, in a … [Read more...]
Pirates in Kentucky: Rare 1913 Cabinet with Wagner at Auction
It might not be considered a spring training mecca, but just over 100 years ago, a small town in Kentucky played host to Honus Wagner and the Pittsburgh Pirates. Now, a rare team photo taken in the town of Dawson Springs during one of the Bucs' three seasons in the area is among the highlights at RMY Auctions this month. The mounted photograph measures 8x10 and … [Read more...]
1910 D322 Tip Top Bread Set Celebrated Pittsburgh Pirates’ World Series Title
1909 saw Honus Wagner and the Pittsburgh Pirates defeat Ty Cobb's Detroit Tigers in seven games to win their first championship in the modern era. The following year, Ward Baking/Ward-Mackey, created the D322 Tip Top Bread set for its Tip Top bread brand. Here's a closer look at that set. D322 Tip Top Bread Overview In terms of design, the D322 Tip Top Bread cards looked a … [Read more...]
Roberto Clemente Collection Set for MLB All-Star FanFest Auction
Hunt Auctions will once again be hosting the MLB All-Star FanFest Auction this summer and this year's event will include some major artifacts from Hall of Famer Roberto Clemente. The late superstar's family has consigned the items, several of which are expected to attract six-figure bidding. The auction will be conducted at the Miami Beach Convention … [Read more...]
Before Honus Wagner’s T206 There Was His Henry Reccius Cigars Card
When you ask most collectors about Honus Wagner, the famous T206 card instantly comes to mind. But Wagner has a much earlier and much more scarce card. In fact, a lot of avid collectors don't even now about Wagner's not-so-famous Henry Reccius Cigars card. Honus Wagner Henry Reccius Cigars Overview Henry Reccius was a cigar manufacturer in Louisville, Kentucky. Like … [Read more...]
Willie Stargell’s Rings, Awards to be Sold at Auction
The family of late slugger Willie Stargell has consigned a dozen key items from the Hall of Famer's career to SCP Auctions. They'll be offered for sale in the company's Spring Premier Auction which will open May 24. Among the memorabilia going on the block is Stargell's 1979 National League MVP award, which is expected to fetch between $100,000 and … [Read more...]
Stargell Sampler: Pops’ Cards Span 3 Decades
Late in his career he was called “Pops,” but during most of his major-league career, Willie Stargell was better known as one of baseball’s big power hitters. He hit 296 of his career 475 home runs during the 1970s and led the National League in homers twice (1971 and 1973). In 1979, the last time the Pirates won the World Series, Stargell was the league’s co-MVP, sharing top … [Read more...]
Photo of the Day: Casey at the Bat
He had spent the previous five full seasons with the Brooklyn Robins, a notorious annual holdout and colorful character but a solid centerfielder. Finally exhausted by the annual contract hassles and in need of an arm, Brooklyn owner Charlie Ebbets traded Casey Stengel and George Cutshaw to Pittsburgh for Burleigh Grimes and two others before the start of the 1918 … [Read more...]