Mastro Auctions

This is one of the biggest auction months I've ever seen. With tax day just passing the big auction houses are betting that collectors will have enough money left in their pockets to bid big. Mastro is the third large house to be open for business this month.

Below is a rarely seen Schaefer Beer stand-up advertising sign featuring a Brooklyn fan hoping for a big year. I think it helps that she has a beer in one hand, just in case the bums of yesteryear disappoint her. Nevertheless, she maintains a happy smile and a hopeful gaze. (Please note: Although real copies are rarely seen numerous fakes exist in the marketplace, especially on eBay. Be weary if you see one on eBay.) Mastro Auction Link: Schaefer Beer Sign:

The below item is something I know I will regret showing. It is a unused ticket to one of the games most memorable moments, or the games most despised moments. This ticket is from the game when Bobby Thompson hit the "Shot Heard 'round the World." Argh! I can't stand the audio clip from that game. "The Pumpkins win the pennant! The pumpkins win the pennant." Mastro Auction Link: Thompson Ticket:

Robert Edwards Auction

Wow. This is a great month for auction hounds. Robert Edwards Auctions has put together one of the more incredible offerings this year. Last year I posted about a newly discovered Babe Ruth. Well, this month it is finally available for sale. Below is a 1914 Baltimore News Babe Ruth Rookie Card. It is currently at a bid price of $150,000.00. I believe this is already a record price for the rare card. The team photo card, which is one-of-a kind, has been bid up to $30,000.00 so far.REA Auction Link: Babe Ruth Baltimore News Card:

Another item that Baseball history buffs should take note of is the 1838 Philadelphia Olympic Ball Club constitution. This was America's first Baseball team.

This is the earliest relic of organized baseball from the first organized baseball team in existence. It is arguably the single most historically significant item relating to the origins of the National Pastime in existence. This is the document that records the birth of organized baseball. The Philadelphia Olympics formally established and approved the rules for their club on December 7, 1837. The Olympic constitution detailing these rules was published in 1838 by John C. Clark of 60 Dock Street, Philadelphia. A copy was distributed to each of the twenty-nine team members, all of who were listed by name in the Constitution. This is one of those twenty-nine original Olympic constitutions, issued to one of the original members of the first organized baseball team in the universe. It is the only surviving example known to exist. It is fascinating to note that for many years research libraries have had only an early style photocopy of the 1838 Olympic Constitution. While the photocopies verified its existence and provided a complete record of its contents, the actual whereabouts of the original have long been unknown. Attempts to trace the origins of the photocopy back to the original have always, unfortunately, led to yet another earlier photocopy. The original was seemingly lost to the ages, a mystery ironically befitting a document so integral to the mysterious origins of the National Pastime. It was particularly fascinating for us to note, upon examination and comparison, that the offered Olympic Constitution is the very original from which all Olympic Constitution photocopies were long ago made, and which have been used for reference by scholars and researchers for decades.

For a complete view of the contents of the constitution at SABR click here: PDF download here.

REA Link: Constitution:

Lelands May Auction

I wanted to follow up on my previous post regarding Honus Wagner's home for sale with some more remarkable items available through Lelands.

One of the more important items in the auction is this one-of-a kind T206 printers proof strip featuring Honus Wagner. The auction provides more details.

legend has it was found folded in the pocket of a uniform Honus Wagner left behind with various personal effects in the attic of his former home. It is also believed to have been obtained by Wagner from the tobacco company when he protested his likeness being used without compensation. The fable that his objection was to tobacco use is an obvious falsehood as he willingly promoted other tobacco products, as long as he was paid to do so. He was effective (eventually) in having the card removed from production, creating the greatest rarity in the industry and a lusty tale to tell over the last century. This irreplaceable treasure has printer’s proof marks on the borders of each card, blank backs and overall numerous creases.

Lelands Auction Link: Wagner T206 strip:

Another remarkable item with a Dodger theme is this travel trunk used by Dodgers hurler Don Newcombe. This would be pretty cool to have. Unfortunately, I wouldn't know where to put it.Lelands Auction Link: Travel Trunk: