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Opening Pitches
15 Lots
 Lot 1. Spectacular Ruth, Gehrig Signed Baseball - Authenticated by Spence, Keating. The autographs of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig are on a fabulous vintage baseball! It’s difficult to identify a more dominating or impressive sports duo than Ruth and Gehrig. In their 10 seasons together, the Yankees won five pennants and four world championships. Between them, they won 10 home run and 8 RBI titles. Both signed this Harwood’s “Double Cover” National League Ball, which likely is from the mid-1920s. Ruth signed the sweet spot. His fountain pen signature is an ex-m 6 to nm 7. Gehrig’s autograph is on the north panel. His signature rates an ex 5 to ex-m 6. Inexplicably, the ball is signed also, on the south panel, by Wm “Lena” Styles, a catcher for the Philadelphia A’s 1919-21 and for Cincinnati 1930-31. He spent most of his career in the minors. His signature also is a 5-6. The ball itself is gorgeous, with red and green double stitching. It was made by Harwood, which began manufacturing baseballs in 1857. The company made baseballs for essentially every level of play except the major. The ball has not been shellacked. All pre-printed areas are strong. Ex-m+. The ball and autographs display beautifully! Comes with a letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication. Also authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $8,166.
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 Lot 2. Baseball Signed by Eddie Waitkus, the Real-Life “Natural,” Other Memorabilia. World War II interrupted Waitkus’ baseball career for four years. Returning with four bronze stars, he resumed his baseball career in 1946. In 1948 and 1949, the first baseman was an NL All-Star. On June 14, 1949, Ruth Ann Steinhagen, an obsessed 19-year-old fan, lured Waitkus to her hotel room, where she shot him in the chest with a .22 rifle. Bernard Malamud wove Eddie’s story, with a bit of Joe Jackson’s added, to create “Roy Hobbs” for the 1952 novel The Natural. Robert Redford starred in the 1984 film version. This collection includes two autographs of Waitkus, who passed away in 1972 at the age of only 53, and a photo of Redford as Hobbs. It also includes media coverage of the shooting and other aspects of Waitkus’ life and career. 1. ONL Ford Frick ball signed on the sweet spot “Eddie Waitkus.” Teammate Bill Nicholson signed a side panel. Ex-m to nm lightly toned ball with nm-m 8 to mint 9 vintage signatures. The ball was signed when both men played for the Chicago Cubs, probably 1946-48. Nicholson was a regular in 1941, but Waitkus was with the Cubs for only 12 games. The ball is accompanied by a letter from the original owner who recalls that “Waitkus was with the Cubs” when he gave her the ball and that Bill Nicholson asked where she was sitting so he could wave when he hit a home run for her. 2. Waitkus fountain pen signature on a government postcard, 7 of 10. 3. 1949 Bowman card #142, vg+ to ex. 4. 1952 Baseball Magazine Supplement, vg-ex. 5-6. June 15, 1949 N.Y. Journal American with the front-page headline in red: “Ed Waitkus Shot By Girl.” Very displayable with a striking photo of the shooter, ex-m. A related article from an unidentified magazine says “Silly Honey with a Gun.” 7. 8” x 10” color photo of Robert Redford, who is shown as the Waitkus-inspired Hobbs. The photo has a signature that says “Robert Redford,” but it wasn’t signed by Redford.. 8-11. June 22 & 29, 1949 TSN single pages chart the crime and Waitkus’s recovery. Also there is a full-page color magazine photo of Waitkus in street clothing and a small newspaper clipping about well-wishes from the Dodgers. These collectibles will make for an outstanding Waitkus-The Natural display. Waitkus autographs authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $1,119.
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 Lot 3. 1960 Pirates WS Program Signed by Clemente, 37 More - PSA-DNA Authenticated. The stars aligned to bring this World Series collectible together. There are 38 signatures, including Roberto Clemente, on a World Series program scored for Game 7! Twenty-four signatures are on inside the pages next to headshot photos of the respective players. From the beginning: Frank Oceak (d. 1983), Elroy Face, Bob Friend, Fred Green (d. 1996), Harvey Haddix (d. 1994), Clem Labine (d. 2007), Vernon Law, “Vinegar Bend” Mizell (d. 1999), George Witt, Smoky Burgess (d. 1991), Hal Smith, Bob Oldis, Rocky Nelson (d. 2006), Dick Stuart (d. 2002), Gene Baker (d. 1999), Dick Groat, Don Hoak (d. 1969), Bill Mazeroski, Dick Schofield, Joe Christopher, Gino Cimoli, Roberto Clemente (d. 1972), Bob Skinner and Bill Virdon. The signatures are all in blue ballpoint pen and are largely 10s with an occasional 9-10. The program is scored in the same blue ink and records Mazeroski’s famous Series-winning ninth-inning home run, one of the most dramatic moments in baseball history. Next to seven of the signers’ pictures are small check marks in blue pen. There are fourteen more signatures on the cover in the same blue ink: Virgil Trucks, Jim Umbricht (d. 1964), Harvey Haddix (d. 1994), Don Hoak (d. 1969), Rocky Nelson (d. 2006), Elroy Face, George Witt, Clem Labine (d. 2007), Bob Oldis, Bob Skinner, Fred Green (pen failed half way through his surname) (d. 1996), Gino Cimoli, Bill Mazeroski and Dick Stuart (d. 2002). These cover signatures are almost exclusively 8s and 9s, except for Fred Green’s. Umbricht’s signature is relatively difficult to find. The original owner doodled encouragement like “Beat ‘Em Bucs” and “Kill the Yankees” on the front cover, neatly colored in the Pirate mascot and globe he bounds over, and wrote his own name at the top. Overall, the program grades vg-ex to ex, with neatly applied tape inside front cover. The pages are ex+ to ex-m. The autographs come with a letter of authenticity from PSA-DNA. Also authenticated by Kevin Keating. Incredible!
Winning Bid $2,244.
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 Lot 4. 1888 A16 Allen & Ginter “Album of Worlds Champions.” This 12-page album features gorgeous chromolithography depicting the N28 card set, including a page of baseball exclusively and John M. Ward on the cover. The baseball page depicts three luminaries: Cap Anson, Tim Keefe and Mike Kelly. They are joined by Charlie Bennett. Other baseball players in the album are Candy Caruthers, John Clarkson, Charles Comiskey, Jack Glasscock and Joseph Mulvey. Other sports represented include billiards, swimming, wrestling, rowing and boxing. The most notable pugilist is John L. Sullivan; Jack (The Nonpareil) Dempsey is also present. The opening page celebrates marksmen, among them Annie Oakley and Buffalo Bill. The covers are present but unattached. All 12 pages are bound by the original silk cord. There are chips along the borders of both covers; the inside of the front cover is neatly reinforced with tape. The inside pages average vg+ to ex. Increasingly, it seems that these albums are being taken apart and sold for their individual pages. It is a pleasure to offer this very collectible complete album.
Winning Bid $2,040.
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 Lot 5. Extremely Rare 1884 Chicago (Cubs) at Buffalo NL Scorecard with Anson, Galvin. The National League was only nine years old when these two teams met of May 27. The Chicago team defeated the Bisons, 14-6. At the end of the following season, the Buffalo organization would fold. The Chicago team was known as the White Stockings. In subsequent seasons, the White Stockings would become the Colts, then the Orphans and, finally, in 1902, the Cubs. The top star for the White Stockings was manager-first baseman Cap Anson. The team fielded another future Hall of Fame member, King Kelly, and Piano Legs Gore was one of the team’s outfielders. Pud Galvin was Buffalo’s future Hall of Fame member. The color cover of the scorecard features a “Batsman,” apparently from the H804-11 trade card set produced by Coack & Co. of Buffalo. The back cover has a wonderful artwork of Buffalo’s Olympic Park, which had a capacity of 3,748. The Chicago contest was only the sixth ever played there. The ball park opened in 1884 and was dismantled in 1888, with the grandstand moved to a new location. At one time, the scorecard was in a scrapbook. As a result, the scorecard side shows scrapbook residue or paper loss. The names of some players are affected; about 80 percent of the pre-printed lineup is present. In addition, the halves of the scorecard apparently were separated, and now are glued together in a manner that prevents the scorecard from folding. Interestingly, the Baseball Almanac lists the final score as 14-6. But the scorecard, which is scored in pencil, shows the score as 14-7. Wonderful, rare scorecard with outstanding covers.
Winning Bid $1,044.
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 Lot 6. Very Scarce 1928 St. Louis Cardinals at New York Game 1 World Series Program. For the second straight year, the unstoppable Yankees swept their World Series opponent. Like the Pirates in 1927, the 1928 Cardinals fell in four to Ruth, Gehrig and Hoyt. The 1928 championship make the Yankees the first team ever to sweep the World Series consecutively. One statistic illustrates the Yankees’ dominance: Lou Gehrig drove in as many runs in the series as the entire Cardinals team. More might have been expected of the Cardinals. After all, their manager, McKechnie, was a future Hall of Fame member, and so were six players: Alexander, Bottomley, Frisch, Hafey, Haines and Maranville. Led by Huggins, another future Cooperstown enshrinee, the Yankees successfully countered with their own HoF cast: Combs, Coveleski, Dickey, Durocher, Gehrig, Hoyt, Lazzeri, Pennock, and, of course, Ruth. These players are pictured in the program, along with three other future HoF members: Judge Landis, the Commissioner; Ed Barrow, secretary of the Yankees, and a very young Branch Rickey, vice president of the Cardinals. The Yankees won Game 1, 4-1, as this lightly pencil-scored program will attest. Gehrig went 2-4, and Ruth, 3-4. The 20-page program has a vertical crease and a tiny area of paper loss in the white border. It displays as vg-ex. One full inside page features Babe Ruth promoting Old Gold cigarettes. World Series program from the 1920s turn up infrequently. This example, published by Harry M. Stevens, is a desirable classic.
Winning Bid $807.
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 Lot 7. Original Lithographs Used for Circa 1890 Baseball Position Pins. These pins are among the most colorful and attractive ever produced. They often feature advertising, either on the front or on the paper on the back. Offered here are three original paper sheets with six lithographed pins each. These lithographs were meant to be used in the manufacturing process. They would be placed between the metal back and the celluloid cover. The positions are Pitcher, First Base and Right Field. The sheets are about 3 ½” x 5”; each individual lithograph is about 1 5/8” in diameter. Each position is represented by a bare-handed player in a representative pose. Each sheet is ex-m. Because of their location on the sheet, the left edge of the three First Base pins on the left is miscut. Gorgeous artwork and printing for an outstanding 19th century baseball display!
Winning Bid $1,149.
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 Lot 9. 1912 Christy Mathewson S-81 Tobacco Baseball Silk. For 25 cigarette coupons, Helmar “Turkish Trophies” issued these beauties, which were a luxury then and a rarity now. Christy Mathewson, N.Y. Nat’l, numbered 108. The border intact and, remarkably, shows no signs of fraying. There is a stain in the upper left corner near the number and light foxing confined primarily to the lower right. Mathewson’s image appears to be free of soiling or foxing, and it remains crisp and vivid. The silk squares up nicely and has never been sewn. Vg-ex.
Winning Bid $711.
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 Lot 11. Fantastic 1940s-50s Baseball Exhibit Card Vending Machine. From time to time, an offering is so exceptional that it’s difficult to know where to begin. That is the case with this vintage vendor. It measures 37” x 17” x 10”, creating a spectacular visual presence. The front of the machine displays nine 1947-66 exhibit baseball cards along with signage. The cards, which are included, are Hegan, Campanella, Goodman (leaping), Reese (fielding, ball partially visible), Lockman, Wertz (batting), Roberts (script signature), Vernon (batting), Doby (bat well off right border), Carrasquel (leaping) and Baker. The signage reads “Baseball Stars” atop the display and “Insert Coin Receive Card Here” at the bottom. The machine is operational. Put a penny in the slot, push in the lever, pull it out and receive the card. The case is sturdy and made of wood. Inside, a light behind the glass and cards illuminates the display.
Winning Bid $1,391.
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 Lot 12. 1949 Bowman Baseball Uncut Sheet of 28 with Musial, Spahn, Kiner and More! An incredible offering! The sheet presents dramatically, with blazing color throughout and fabulous eye appeal. Nine cards have paper loss on the back, apparently from having been mounted with tape. The paper loss is slight on two cards, slight to moderate on two, moderate on three and significant on two. Six cards of the 28 have creases. Five of these have only very light inoffensive surface creases. Highlights include #11 Lou Boudreau with a very light ¾” surface crease, 14 Curt Simmons rookie, 24 Stan Musial, 26 George Kell with 2 very light surface creases (one about 1” and the other about ½”), 29 Ralph Kiner with paper loss on the back lower right about ¼” x ¾”, 33 Warren Spahn. The back of the sheet has been double-struck. As a result, each card has two different backs, one superimposed on the other. This sheet will be the highlight of a 1950s baseball display!
Winning Bid $605.
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 Lot 13. Remarkable Collection of 2,300+ Photos of 19th and 20th Century Teams PLEASE NOTE: The photos in this collection picture teams as early as the 1850s. The photos in the collection were printed at various times in the 20th century. This collection comes from the estate of a New York broadcaster who wanted to obtain a photo of every major league team, player, manager and umpire. It begins in the 1850s and continues through the 1980s. More than 300 teams are pictured on George Burke or George Brace real-photo postcards. Routinely, Burke and Brace reproduced others’ photos, and almost all of these photos are reproductions. The breakdown includes 600 8” x 10” photos, including many glossies, 80 larger than 8” x 10” and about 1,600 4”x 6” or smaller. Except for the Burke and Brace postcards, most of the smaller photos were neatly cut from baseball guides and magazines. More than 175 photos show 19th-century teams. Sixty are Burke-Brace postcards, and five are 5” x 7” colorized Bra-Mac prints, including one of the 1898 Louisville team with Honus Wagner. Most of the others are from magazines. In addition to the team photos, the collection includes about 2,500 photos of individual players. Modern cards and magazines are the source of these photos; most fit into nine-pocket pages. The overall condition is ex. These photos will serve as outstanding reference material for the winning bidder. We have conservatively counted the individual items here at more than 5,000. We’ll also start the bidding conservatively at $1 per Burke-Brace photo.
Winning Bid $1,391.
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 Lot 14. Lou Gehrig New York Yankees Replica Jersey Worn in the Movie The Babe. John Goodman starred in the 1992 film The Babe, which provided an intimate portrait of the game’s greatest player. Actor Michael McGrady played Gehrig, the game’s greatest first baseman. He wore this gray wool away jersey. Black felt lettering spells out “New York” on the front, and Gehrig’s “4” is on the back. The jersey comes with a Letter of Authenticity from Allan Reugsegger of Sportsrobe, Inc., oc Culver City, CA. Sportsrobe manufactures athletic uniforms and is a frequent supplier to the film industry. The jersey is mint.
Minimum Bid $1,200.
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 Lot 15. 1970 Cotton Bowl Commemorative Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust Watch. Texas was fresh from its come-from-behind 15-14 win over #2 ranked Arkansas, in a game known now as “The Big Shoot-out,” when they came to play in the Cotton Bowl on Jan. 1, 1971. The victory enabled the Longhorns to remain the top-ranked team in the country. Their #1 ranking alone would have generated plenty of press attention. But there was a larger reason for the intense media coverage. For the first time since 1925, when the Four Horsement defeated Stanford in the Rose Bowl, Notre Dame was making a bowl appearance. Coverage heightened when President Nixon decided to attend. Try as they might, the three surviving Horsemen at the game and a huge crowd of Fighting Irish fans couldn’t bring their team a victory. Although Notre Dame led through much of the game, Texas scored with 1:08 left for a 21-17 victory and a national championship. By many, it is considered one of the best games ever played. In commemoration of his service as Honorary Chairman of this game, the original owner, Walter A. Moore, was given this Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust watch. This 26-jewel automatic stainless steel watch has a remarkably clean, simply-styled dial with marks rather than numerals, and the date under magnification. In addition to the Rolex name and crown, the Cotton Bowl logo appears at the junction of the hands, and the words “1970 Cotton Bowl Classic” follow the bottom curve of the dial. The back plate is engraved with Moore’s name and is signed “Rolex, Stainless Steel, USA” as well as stamped with the Rolex crown on the clasp. Very attractive and in running condition, the watch shows some evidence of regular wear, and one minor dent and scratch on the clasp. One reporter wrote of this intensely played Cotton Bowl game: “The initial temptation would be to rank the Texas-Arkansas game as tops for the first 100 years of college football, and then start the second centennial running with this one.” Here’s an opportunity to own a piece of this tremendous college football game - and the quality and the collectibility a Rolex all in one fell-swoop!
Winning Bid $1,854.
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