Four Page Written Account of 

The 27th Annual 2006 

National Sports Collectors Convention

By

Carlton Hendricks

CLICK ON HIGHLIGHTED WORDS TO SEE PHOTOS

Terry and Nathan Knouse – Tik Tik & Nik
Next up is the booth of Terry Knouse and his son Nathan, better known as Tik, Tik & Nik from Wapwallopen Pennsylvania. Anyone familiar with them knows they specialize in the exotic. That is, very high end sports antiques. They’re main focus is baseball, and it’s pretty much all hard memorabilia, that is, no generic items. First up in their booth was a c1870’s Athletics of Philadelphia touring silk, 8” x 2 ½”, $8.000.00. Next, was a c1870 Enterprise B.B.C. Baltimore touring silk, with three archaic base ball players illustrated, 8 3/8” x 2 7/8”, $10,000.00. See what I mean about exotic? Next was a c1870 Excelsior Base Ball Club touring silk that featured a small but great illustration of baseball equipment, 7 ¾” x 2 7/8”, $9,000.00. Next, a photo of the Honesdale semi pro baseball club which featured a very young Christy Mathewson. Terry advised he wasn’t sure if it was a first generation photo, 5 ½” x 4 ½”, $5,000.00. Next was an 1860 book titled: Base Ball Players Pocket Companion, 5 ½” x 3 ¾”, $22,500.00. Next was another book c1868, titled: The Game of Baseball, by Henry Chadwick, 6 3/8” x 4 ¼”, $20,000.00. 

I ran into Dan Knoll as he was walking around, and got a chance to catch up on what he’s been doing. He told me he’s been out of the hobby spending time raising his family. Dan has done a lot of things, dealer, auctioneer, appraiser, and authenticator. He told me an interesting story. I asked if he might get back into authenticating. He told me as much that he didn’t like doing it because he sometimes had to tell people their stuff was fake, or wasn’t worth what they thought it was. After listening to him explain it, I could see his point. Who would want to tell someone something they think is worth a lot of money, isn’t. Especially if they had a lot sunk into it. Dan said he’s actually had people start crying, and that some had sunk their children’s college funds into fake stuff. He said as much that those of us immersed in the hobby can easily spot something not genuine. And that though we take such knowledge for granted, some people can not tell and get burned. I never gave the subject much thought before talking to Dan that day. The conversation drove home how it is important for people who are not experts to get competent consultation, or buy from reputable experts, especially if they’re paying big money for something.

return to top

Hunt Auctions
Next up was the Hunt Auctions booth. They had plenty of strong merchandise for sale, and were a major force of the show. First mention was a very fine and ornate silver plate music box with crossed figural baseball bats and a life size baseball, the top half of which opened up. It was attributed to have come from the Wrigley family. I’d estimate it to have been from about 1890 and it looked Mexican in style, 8 ¼” wide x 6 ¼” tall. It was an auction item estimated to bring $7,500 to $10,000.00. Next up was one c1890 andiron featuring a large figural of a baseball batter, 19 3/8” tall, $1,600.00. Next was a large perpendicular bronze and wood basketball trophy plaque with an unusual green patina. It featured a relief of a player in motion superimposed on a large basketball. The presentation plate read: Championship Trophy Press Greater Pittsburgh Institutional Reserve League 1928-1929, 18 ½” tall x 13 ½” wide, $750.00. Next was a Jack Kramer tennis set in the box, 12” x 28 ½” x 3”, $475.00. Next was a very classic 1890’s Spalding baseball bat, 34”, $1,200.00. The top five or so inches of the barrel end was painted black and squared. The black Spalding label was in remarkable condition, and the word AXLETREE, also in black was printed above it. The 34” length was a perfect size, no doubt for an adult. I looked at it real hard and probably should have gotten it, as I can’t recall one quite that nice. 

Next up was a 1926 Catholic Jr. League baseball loving cup Championship trophy with a small relief of a batter mounted within the engraving, 18” x 11”, $1,600.00. Next was a c1890 porcelain shaving mug illustrated with crossed baseball bats and baseball above, with the name the name J.W. Hardy, $1,600.00. Next up was a very nice blue Delft porcelain stein with an illustration of a baseball batter in mid swing, 6 ¼” tall, $975.00. Next, another c1890 porcelain shaving mug with a color illustration of a baseball batter and catcher and the name: C.G. Nothwang, 3 5/8” tall, $2,200.00. Next up, a 1937 Cleveland Baseball Federation trophy with a figural of a batter on top, 13” tall, $375.00. Next, a framed, small format c1892 McLoughlin Brothers baseball board game displaying the top on the left and inside board on the right, 19 ¼” x 11 ¼”, $575.00. Next, a 1930’s Granger Tobacco advertising sign on cardstock, featuring football great Sammy Baugh passing a pack of, you guessed it, Granger Rough Cut Tobacco, 20 ½” x 13 ¼”, $475.00. 

return to top

Next was a very rare c1910 advertising poster for Right Posture Boys’ Clothes, illustrated by Frank Leyendecker 1876-1924. The poster featured two privileged looking boys playing baseball, one at bat, the other behind playing catcher. Both were wearing classic 1920 period clothing that captured the era. I bought this from David, for I believe it was $725.00. It had various stains throughout, but the overall image of the boys was vibrant, and it was the only example of this poster I’ve ever seen. As an American work of art on paper that featured baseball, it was a no-brainer. Frank Leyendecker was the brother of Joseph Leyendecker 1874-1951. Joseph is one of the most famous of all American illustrators, and I had just gotten a very rare football poster done by him from John Kanuit the day before. So to get this baseball poster by his brother Frank was remarkable. I’ve never even seen a work by Frank for sale before, much less one featuring sports. 

Set of 5 rare photos of Lou Gehrig offered by Hunt Auctions - Exton, PA.
click photos

Next up in the Hunt booth was a very rare and interesting set of five photos of the legendary Lou Gehrig 1903-1941, aprox. 9 ½” x 7 ¾”, $1,600.00 for all five. I’ve never been a big photo collector, but these impressed me, as they were far from the usual photos you see of him. They showed him at home in his den with his trophies, plus featured his wife. 

At first I thought they were regular news wire photos. The back of one had two stamped notices. The one in red indicated: LOOK PIX - Rights purchased Nov. 27, 1939 - SOURCE Pix Publishing Co. PRICE - on assignment. Then there was another stamped notice in blue ink which as best I can make out advised: PHOTOS BY: PIX PUBLISHING INC. 250 PARK AVENUE NEW YORK CITY TEL ELD R 005-4021 PLEASE CREDIT ERIC SCHAAL- PIX - THIS PICTURE IS SOLD TO YOU FOR YOUR PUBLICATION ONLY AND MUST NOT BE LOANED, SYNDICATED OR USED FOR ADVERTISING PURPOSES WITHOUT WRITTEN PERMISSION.  A cursory web search of Eric Schaal today confirms him as a well listed photographer. One website I found referenced him as deceased (1905-1994) , and a writer as well as a photographer. A web search of Pix Publishing Inc. produced little reference, and no historical background.

But then, adhered on the back of one of the other photos is a small piece of paper with a typed notice advising users to credit International News Photos. The note goes on to provide a typical descriptive caption for the photo. There is also a date of Nov. 27, 1939 at the far top. Then to the left is a blue label that says: Look Copy, issue no. 2, Jan 16 1940, Page no. 59, Pix 1. unquote,  Gehrig died June 2, 1941 which would have been about four and a half months after that issue. By the way, International News Photos was eventually acquired by United Press International, which in turn was acquired by Corbis, which was founded in 1989 by Microsoft founder Bill Gates. 

Anyway, based on Schaal's blue stamped notice, it appears he sold Look Magazine one time rights to the photos, at least initially. How International News Photos eventually became the owner is curious.

Whatever the scenario, they are likely very rare images, and would be an outstanding addition to a serious Gehrig, or Yankee’s collection, 

The story copy on back of the one reads: “SOLONG OLDPAL” [sic] NEW YORK.....IN THE TROPHY ROOM OF HIS NEW YORK HOME. LOU GEHRIG ONE TIME BIG BERTHA OF THE YANKEE’S “MURDERS’ ROW” , IS BIDDING FAREWELL TO OLD HICKORY THE BAT HE HIT 49 HOMERS ONE YEAR TO LEAD THE LEAGUE AND COME WITHINROOTING [sic] DISTANCE OF THE WORLD’S HOME RUN RECORD HELD BY BABE RUTH. LARRUPIN LOU IS THRU WITH BASEBALL AS A PLAYER. THAT WAS THE SAD NEWS BROUGHT TO THE MANY PERSONAL FANS WHO HEARD THE MEDICAL REPORT FORM MAYO CLINIC...THAT LOU WAS SUFFERING FROM A MILD ATTACK OF INFANTILE PARALYSIS. HE WILL CONTINUE WITH THE TEAM ON THE BENCH UNTIL THE END OF THE SEASON AND WILL -END/REST TORN 

return to top

Next up was a c1936 Babe Ruth’s Baseball Game by Milton Bradley, 19 3/8” wide x 10” deep x 2” tall, $475.00. This is the classic Babe Ruth board game to own. Next was a folk art looking child’s ring baseball bat, painted white with Maroon trim, $450.00. Next was a 1924 I.O.O.F. (Independent Order of Odd Fellows) baseball trophy titled “Four County Field Day Baseball Trophy”. The trophy was made by Derby and had a relief rendering of a runner sliding into a base with the baseman reaching for a catch, 9 ¾” tall, $975.00. Next was what appeared to be a c1890 pewter or silver plate creamer, engraved with crossed baseball bats and ball, 3 3/8” tall, $475.00. Next was a c1889, “The Champion Game of Base Ball” board game with Hall of Famer Dan Brouthers, and Hall of Famer John Clarkson prominently featured on the cover . This is a very rare, and attractive game, however it was in poor condition, 7 ¾” x 3 ¾” x 1 1/8”, $950.00. Next was an un-engraved c1910-15 baseball trophy with a relief of a batter on the front that resembled Ty Cobb, 20 ½” tall, $1,250.00. 

Next in the Hunt booth were five exceptional auction items. The first I mention was one of the best at the show, a c1871 photo of the Forest City Base Ball Club of Rockford Illinois. The Forest City’s were the first organized baseball club in Cleveland, and one of the first in the country. Baseball patriarch and Hall of Famer Albert Spalding played for Forest City from 1868 to 1870. Cap Anson, also a Hall of Famer played for Forest City in 1871. The only thing is, unless that’s him second from left in the top row, I can’t I.D. him. Admittedly though, he seems to look different in many of his photos of him on this page http://www.capanson.com/photo_archive.html  

The bib-front jerseys with Victorian style monographs, two tone cleats, and general archaic look are striking. Those features plus the Rockford Forest City’s part in early baseball history make this an important and impressive artifact, 17” x 14”, auction item. 

Next, Hunt had a c1880’s Cincinnati Base Ball Club photo, 8” x 5”, auction item. Next was a phenomenal cabinet photo of baseball patriarch George Wright 1847-1937, 6 ½” x 4 ¼”, auction item. Next was a jersey worn by Babe Ruth. This may have been from a barnstorming tour, auction item. Last up was a Bambino pocket tobacco tin, auction item.

return to top

Quality Pennants - Lynn and Ron Cunningham
Next was the booth of Lynn and Ron Cunningham of Quality Pennants from Duncanville Texas. I’m not a big pennant collector, but I know many of you do collect them so I’m featuring them. Besides I did buy one from the Cunningham’s, a c1910 Cornel University pennant featuring an oarsman standing with an oar, 31”, $85.00. Next in the Cunningham’s booth was a c1920 Harvard pennant with a football player running with the ball straight at you, 34”, $275.00. Next was a huge c1920’s University of Illinois pennant, no sport, just big and impressive, 64” x 32”, $500.00. Next was a colorful pennant wheel made up of 16 state pennants. Ron told me as much it was mostly a prop, but would sell it, 45” diameter, $550.00. Next the Cunningham’s had six c1950 cloth sports dolls made in Italy, Golfer with yellow pants $95.00, golfer with trophy $$145.00, golfer with yellow hat $$95.00, baseball player with bat $75.00, baseball player with red billed hat, $25.00, fisherman, $125.00. Lastly was a c1940’s baby football player doll with a leather helmet, $150.00.