Monday, October 17, 2016

The Golden Age of Baseball at Christie's

I am a HUGE baseball fan. I haven't been following too much as of late, but, am 
such a fan of the game. I started out a Phillies fan, and then went to the Yankees. My
Uncle took me to my first baseball game in Philadelphia. I have visited Cooperstown
and found it just wonderful. Last week I had the pleasure of viewing the upcoming 
auction at Christie's The Golden Age of Baseball. It was an outstanding array 
of some of the best players who ever played the game, including my fave, 
Babe Ruth.  

Christie’s New York is proud to present The Golden Age of Baseball, Selections from the National Pastime Museum: a two-day live auction event in October. The two sales — organized into memorabilia on October 19 and photography on October 20 — showcase a remarkable assemblage of over 450 lots of letters, contracts, memorabilia, game-used bats and a treasury of vintage baseball photography. Highlights include some of the greatest artifacts relating to the Negro Leagues and its most celebrated stars including Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and Sol White, among others. In addition, the collection includes notable pieces relating to Jackie Robinson, Shoeless Joe Jackson, Mike “King” Kelly, Christy Mathewson, Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth.

A larger than life photo of The Babe greets you when you enter   


Lou Gerhig was such a handsome and classy man 

Autographed black and white photograph of Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig (1903-1941) picturing the legendary slugger in his New York Yankees uniform. Signed Lou Gehrig in black ink.
Estimate USD $20,000.00 to $30,000.00 


Original photograph of Hall of Famer Josh Gibson (1911-1947) as a member of the Homestead Grays, c.1943. (Photo to the right) Estimate USD $10,000.00 to $15,000.00 


Makes you think of the movie A League of Their Own, but this is actually 
from the 1800's. Lizzie Stride pitched one inning for Reading, Pa team 
July 5, 1898 against a team from Allentown, Pa. Pretty cool! 




The viewing for these items was done so well, but, I expect nothing 
less from Christie's. 



SPALDING BAT RACK & METAL SIGN
A circa 1920s Spalding wooden bat rack display capable of displaying thirty-six bats (eighteen per side). The wooden framework is stamped Base Ball Bats on the top and Spalding & Bros. on the individual slats and wooden fixtures. Metal prongs act as bat holders on either side of the framework. An original Spalding & Bros. baseball shaped metal sign tops the bat rack.
Estimate USD $6,000.00 to $8,000.00 


The very cool thing is I actually live near Larksville, Pa where this photograph 
was taken. To go back in time, 1923, and see him play would be pretty darn 
amazing! So cool! 

BABE RUTH PHOTOGRAPH
Jennings
Large format original photograph of Babe Ruth inscribed by the photographer "Jennings" and "Babe Ruth, Larksville, PA, Oct. 29, 1923."
Estimate USD $3,000.00 to $5,000.00


  I couldn't find the information on this Boston player, but how 
cute is he? Just love this photograph! 



JOE DIMAGGIO & TED WILLIAMS PHOTOGRAPH
William C. Greene
Original photograph of Hall of Famers Joe DiMaggio (1914-1999) and Ted Williams (1918-2002) at Yankee Stadium c. 1941. The verso is stamped WORLD-TELEGRAM, PHOTO BY WM. C. GREENE as well as inscribed Joe DiMaggio & Ted Williams in blue ink. Additionally embossed BILL GREENE on the lower right corner.
Estimate USD $1,000.00 to $1,500.00


BABE RUTH PHOTOGRAPH
Original photograph of Hall of Famer Babe Ruth (1895-1948) as a member of the New York Yankees, c.1920s, with a young lady slugger. The verso is inscribed “Babe” Ruth and “Babe” Baker, Capt of Mt Shasta Girls Baseball Team, Champions of Siskiyou County Calif in black ink.
Estimate USD $500.00 to $700.00 


Handsome man in his Boston Beaneaters uniform 

VIC WILLIS CABINET PHOTOGRAPH
Elmer Chickering (1857-1915)
Original imperial-style cabinet portrait photograph of Hall of Famer Victor “Vic” Willis (1876-1947) as a member of the Boston Beaneaters, c.1899. The portrait is inscribed Victor Willis in period black ink, and Copyright by E. Chickering. ‘99. The verso is blank.
Estimate USD $3,000.00 to $5,000.00 


How neat to see Ty Cobb's handwriting? He wrote very nice and 
it is quite easy to read. Fantastic! 


BABE RUTH PHOTOGRAPH
Original photograph of Hall of Famer Babe Ruth (1895-1948) as a member of the New York Yankees, c.1925. The verso has been date stamped JUN 4 1925 and is affixed with a Photo from Wide World Photos caption tag.
Estimate USD $1,000.00 to $1,500.00


Can you imagine having a baseball card worth $50,000 ? This is in perfect
condition, and oh so darn cool! I love it! 

1915 CRACKER JACK #88 CHRISTY MATHEWSON
A 1915 Cracker Jack baseball card of Hall of Famer Christy Mathewson (1880-1925), encapsulated and graded by PSA MINT 9.
Estimate USD $40,000.00 to $60,000.00 


I remember hearing stories of Fatty Arbuckle, now I have a face 
to put with the name! 

 

I think it is so wonderful we have these vintage items and photographs to enjoy in the 
year 2016. I love photography for the reason that it really makes time stand still, 
and sends us 100 years into the past, with these history makers of the game 
of baseball. Viewing this auction was almost as good as going to Cooperstown, New 
York. There is such an array of players, and I am curious to see how much many 
of these items will actually sell for in the auction. 

Viewing Hours 
New York, Rockefeller Center
16 Oct, 1pm - 5pm
17 Oct, 10am - 5pm
18 Oct, 10am - 5pm

Auction for The Golden Age of Baseball 
New York, Rockefeller Center
20 Rockefeller Plaza
19 Oct, 10am (Lots 1 - 251)
20 Oct, 10am (Lots 260 - 493)

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