Mike Brown

Next was the booth of Mike Brown of East Brunswick N.J. Over the years I had seen Mike's name credited in baseball memorabilia books but had never really known who he was or met him. He brought fresh things never before offered, straight out of his collection, all of it baseball. 

First up was a set of all five of the Spalding trophies. Mike was selling them as a set for $19,000.00. They drew people in his booth like a magnet. When I say "all five of the Spalding trophies", by that I mean that the five he had are recognized as the complete set of the genera. These c1925 "Spalding trophies" were the best stock trophies ever produced, and are recognized as such by advanced sports collectors. They were cast in white metal and made for Spalding by the Dieges and Clust company who were headquartered in New York City. The ones of the standing fielder making a catch, and the baseman reaching low for a catch are generally the most desirable of the set  for their sculptural quality, being the large figures of the players. Moreover, their bold tiered bases enhance and announce them like no other trophies.

Five Spalding Trophies  Offered by Mike Brown

In reviewing all five; 1. There was the one with the figure of the fielder catching a ball; 15 1/2" tall. 2. Then their was the one with the figure of the baseman reaching low to make a catch, 11" tall. 3. Then was the one with the figure of the batter on top a large baseball, 20" tall. 4. Next was the one with the figure of the catcher on top a large baseball, (which didn't have the original wood base), 17 1/2" tall. 5. And last was the one with the figure of a player throwing a ball, which sat on a large baseball, 19 1/2" tall.

From the standpoint of the time and effort it would take to acquire all five, $19,000.00 would have to be a bargain. First you would have to keep up on all the auctions looking for them, wring your hands each time, pay the hammer...and don't forget the 20% premium, plus the shipping...that is if you win them....sweat the potential shipping damage each time you get one, and hope it's packed right....then wait 4-6 weeks to get it....multiply all that times five....plus factor in the 3-5 years it could take to complete the set. Or just make out a check to Mike and take'um home.

Next up was a very interesting example of the c1930 tin lithographed "Home Run King" baseball batter toy, 7" tall, $2,000.00. The toy not only had the cardstock box it originally came in, but also the wooden shipping box which had a paper label adhered to the side that said: "Frankie Frisch Home Run King Toy and Game Co. 114 East 16th Street New York. The label even had the name of the original recipient: H Saxer, Fleetville PA. 

Seeing that shipping box and it's label was very enlightening. I never knew Hall of Famer Frankie Frisch 1898-1973 owned or had anything to do with the toy. I had an example of it about 20 years ago until I got the "Home Run Babe" version out of one of Alan "Mr. Mint" Rosen's auctions, which I still have in my collection and can be seen in the top right photo on ThisPage. The Home Run Babe version is essentially the same toy as the Home Run King but much more rare. 

The story I got on the "Home Run Babe" toy is the reason it's so rare is Babe Ruth allegedly made them quit making it, and the name was changed to the Home Run King. However I've never seen any documentation to back up the story. Now this one Mike Brown had, by virtue of it's Frankie Frisch label, adds new dimension to the origins of the toy, and implies a thorough investigation would be in order.

Next up in Mike's booth were three Cuban league decorative porcelain pieces, all probably from the 1950's. I think the first two I mention were wall sconces, for putting flowers in I guess. One had the Letter "M" on it with a tiger, 7 1/2" tall, $350.00. The other had the letter "A" on it and a scorpion, 8" tall, $350.00. I believe the "A" represents the Alacranes baseball team, but I don't know what team the one with the "M" and the tiger is for. Last of the porcelain pieces was a minitaure vase with a "C" on it and an elephant, 4 5/8" tall, $200.00. Again I'm almost clueless on Cuban baseball and don't know the team.

Next up in Mike's booth was a rare grouping of four c1930 Rittgers baseball player figures. All the figures were all conjoined on a green narrow base, to make a scene of an umpire leaning on a player who was doubled over, while throwing a player with  a broken bat out of the game. A fourth player seems to helping the batter off the field and appears to have tears in his eyes. Frankly I don't get it, but Rittgers figures are usually bizarre anyway. Nevertheless it looked like a piece that a Rittgers collector would value highly. Particularly since I'd never seen the group before, or any conjoined Rittgers group for that matter. Mike actually had two shelves of Rittger and other figurals, but I'm only featuring this one standout grouping.

Next was a c1930 Fun-Go-Kat batting toy, 12" long by 5 1/4" tall, $200.00. Next was a c1960-70's advertising display with all but two of the original tin lithographed miniature baseball pencil sharpeners, 7 1/4" wide by 6" tall, $475.00. Next was a piece I found interesting, but that Mike dismissed as unimportant. Certainly it was the least expensive thing I covered. He called it a paperweight that was junk, but it peaked my interest because it was bronze and figural and featured Ruth. I suspect it was a die for a mold for something, 2" by 2" by 5/8" thick, $20.00. Next was a small 6 1/2" tall figure of left handed pitching great Herb Pennock 1894-1948. It was cast in a pewter colored white metal and needed  reattaching to it's wooden base, which did not appear original. Although it was far from a fine art casting, it was modeled quite well with good form. Even the hat bill was nicely  detailed, $300.00. Next was another white metal statue of a pitcher titled "Blazin One In", that Mike said was Bob Feller. However I don't see anything that confirms it was Feller on the website representing the sculptor Clemente Spampinato 1912-1993. Hard to say the vintage since they're still available but they I think they were introduced in the 1960's,11 3/8" tall, $350.00. Spampinato did quite a few sports sculptures, and was based in New York CIty. I once spoke with Joe DiMaggio, detailed in a story I wrote, and asked him if they ever made a statue of him. He paused then said someone did but couldn't recall who. I told him it was Spampinato. He seemed a surprised I knew.

Next was a rare 8" tall baseball player doll  with BRAVES across it's chest.  It looked to be from about c1910-15. For a doll it was pretty cool, and in magnificent condition, pretty much mint. It had the original little ball in his hand, with a glove on his belt. The hair looked like it may have been real. And the coolest thing was the little spikes on the bottom of "his" cleats, 8" tall, $450.00. Next up was a soda pop bottle with  a "B" in a circle at the top and the inscription "ENJOY BASEBALL QUALITY BEVERAGE" across the front. At the bottom it said "Palmetto Bottling Co. Charleston". When I google "Palmetto Bottling Co. Charleston" I don't get any reference, so it could be a rare bottle. The google search did reference a Palmetto Brewing Co. of Charleston in 1889. Perhaps Palmetto Brewing Co. switched to producing soda pop during the prohibition era, and this bottle is from that time, $25.00. Next up were two miniature 3" diameter baseball mitts, one a catchers the other a fielders. Mike had all this stuff, this a good example, that you'd gloss over from overload, but when you zeroed in on you could appreciate. I've seen little gloves before but not like these. I stitched the photo of the back and front together in this photo to show how detailed and nice they were, other than the wear, $175.00 each. Next up was another baseball doll, this one again in incredible condition, guesstimate c1930, wearing a Yankees uniform. Mike said the name of the doll was Skippy. I guess he was a Yankees mascot but I'd never heard of it before. But I didn't grow up in New York City, 12" tall, $450.00.  Next were some interesting 1 1/2"diameter salesman sample baseballs. Mike said they were used in England. There were three. I could easily identify the figure eight one, $150.00, and the certainly the lemon peel one, $175.00, but the other I never was quite clear on, but I think it may have been some kind of golf ball. When you're seeing about 100 IPM (items per minute), for the sake of reporting on it, it helps if the item is easy to I.D. Next up was a very cool c1930 Chicago Cubs cast metal ashtray that had a bear standing on top a bat, which sat cross ways on top a baseball, and that had CUBS cast in relief in the front the ashtray, excellent condition with little paint loss, 6" tall, $2,000.00. Next was a c1910, 10 lb. Jim Dandies peanut tin featuring a paper label illustrated with kids playing baseball, 11" tall by 7 1/2" wide, $1,500.00. These don't seem to come up too often; I think because the paper labels were more subject to deterioration than lithographed tins. 

Next  mention for Mike's booth was a show stopper, a hugemongous 75" tall by 51" wide c1930's advertising poster for Sparton Radios, that was beyond rare. This was a very interesting poster; I've been knocking around vintage posters 22 plus years and never seen it before. The tie in with baseball would,  I suppose be, you could listen to baseball on a Sparton. The colors and graphics were clearly 30's. The condition looked pretty much mint. The size, is what really set it apart. Rarely do you see American posters that big; though plenty of Euro ones. The graphics, though generic were excellent. I told Mike when I first saw it, I knew who would buy it, and I was right. Someone who loves big posters and vintage sports memorabilia! 

Next, Mike had a table full of baseball slot, arcade, and gum machines. Commercial games like these seem to be very popular, and command $erious money. I've yet to get into them except for one I picked up many years ago which needs fixing and that sits next to my favorite chair, with statues on it. Which reminds me of a baseball pinball machine Ryan Simms got earlier this year at the Rosebowl Flea market in Pasadena. He said it was covered with rat droppings, but that he had it restored to pristine condition. OK back to Mike's booth. First up on the baseball machine table was a c1930 "E-Z Ball Gum" gum machine that had an original advertising card affixed to the top, 22 3/4" tall, $1,500.00. Next was a c1930 Marvel's POP-UP baseball coin-op arcade game, 18 1/2" tall, $650.00. Next was a c1920-30,  5 cent slot machine with a baseball scene cast in nickel on the front. Mike told me it was made by Mills, who I believe is the biggest name in slot machines. I've been going to antique shows of all kinds for twenty two plus years and it was the first baseball slot machine I recall in person, 21 3/4" tall by 13 1/2" wide by 13 1/2" deep, $9,500.00. Next was the most intriguing to me, of all Mike's games, a 1 cent baseball arcade game called MINIATURE BASEBALL WORLD CHAMPION. It had a spiral metal  track that faced you behind glass, that you would shoot the ball into. I didn't play it but apparently the harder you shot the ball the farther it wound thru the spiral, and if the ball made it all the way to the center you could get a home run. But if the ball over-shot the home run hole you were out. It had a great looking green colored front, with reliefs of baseball equipment in the corners, 16 1/5" tall by 9 1/2" wide by 13 1/2" deep at the base, $1,200.00. Next was another c1930's arcade game similar to the previous, laid out the same, except the ball was exerted pneumatically. Again I didn't play it but I believe the player would activate a lever to force air to the ball. Mike had a tag on it that said very rare, 27" tall by 11 3/4" wide by 10 3/4" deep at the base, $1,500.00. Lastly, Mike did have one other arcade game, a tall basketball one that looked to be from the 1940's., sat on a matching base. The condition was a little rough, but they don't grow on trees and could be fixed up. Here's a photo but I didn't get the dimensions and price, too tired, too much stuff...but that's the way we like it! There was other stuff I shot but didn't record you can see on the Mike Brown page.

Booth of Hunt Auctions

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Hunt Auctions

Next was the booth of Hunt Auctions from Exton PA. You can always count on the Hunt booth for target rich theater. First up was the finest folk art football painting I'd ever seen. I believe it would be refered to as a "primitive". Except for some minor paint loss in the bottom right corner, it got all A's. It pretty much had it all, quality execution, nice size 30" tall by 17 3/4" wide, with a decorated football theme frame. The subject, captured kicking a ball, wore a union suit that clarified it's era. The grandstands in the background had good detail and balanced it all, $1,100.00. I should have gotten it. I could easily imagine it selling for a lot more at an antiques show. 

Next up was a pair of galvano 

cast baseball statues, a batter and pitcher, both signed P.Testi 1910, each 9 1/2" tall, $5,500.00. Both showed oxidation on their finish. P. Testi also did a catcher. Read more on them at the bottom of my baseball page. The rumble on these Testi statues seems to be growing. That is they seem to becoming more popular and  recognized. Testi also did a football player, and a track runner. Next up was a c1890 blue porcelain beverage pitcher with a rugby  scene in relief, 7" tall, $450.00.  I happened to be in the Hunt booth when Russ Purdy bought it. It was a no brainer at that price, gorgeous!  Next was a miniature Hillerich & Bradsby decal baseball bat in real nice shape, with a squared barrel end, 14", $450.00. The decal said "World's Championship", so apparently these were  produced in relation to a World's Series. Next up was a 1926 St. Louis Cardinals "pennant winner pin", 1 1/4" dia., $550.00. Next was a c1910 board game titled: "National League Ball Game -  Made by the Yankee Novelty Co. - Chicago", 5 1/2" tall by 4 1/2" wide, $525.00. Nice graphics with  red white and blue flanking bats and eagles. Next up was a photo album with T-206 cards pasted in it, along with other neat sports photos, 11 1/8" wide (when closed) by 7 1/4" tall, $475.00. Next up was a c1890 book titled: "The All-England Series" at the top of the cover, and "Baseball" in the center, authored by Newton Crane. At the bottom it said "price one shilling", 6 3/4" tall by 4 5/8" wide, $350.00. Nice graphics of a batter wearing a pillbox cap, holding a ring bat. Next up was an Edd Roush 1893-1988 HOF, store model baseball glove. Next was a single signed baseball by another Hall of Famer, Detroit first baseman Hank Greenberg 1911-1986, $2,650.00. Next was a very nice 1932 Cubs team photo, with names at bottom, 22" wide by 17 3/4" tall, $875.00. Next was a maroon  pennant that said "Cubs Champions 1935", 22" wide by 8 1/2" tall, $1,200.00. Nice condition. Next up was a yellow vintage Cubs pin with blue and red ribbons, which came with an 8 3/4" wide, blue Cubs pennant. $450.00. Next was an 1894 Harvard vs. Yale, hardbound football game program. The cover featured an illustration of helmet-less mustached players in the heat of a scrimmage. In turn, that illustration was superimposed on a large melon football. Under the players was the inscription: "Official Souvenir HARVARD YALE Foot Ball  Game Nov 24 1894". At the top corners were Yale and Harvard pennants in red and blue respectfully. Inside were typical advertisements for the many sponsors. Check out the exceptional art nouveau style football border, 10 1/2" wide when closed, by 7 1/4" tall, $1,540.00. The 1894 game was known as the "Hampden Park Blood Bath", in which four players experienced crippling injuries. The game was so violent, it resulted in the Harvard Yale match being suspended for two years. 

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Next was a c1910 broadside schedule poster , that advertised eighteen games of the Erie PA Baseball team between August 7th and Sept 5th. The contending teams were Youngstown, Canton, Akron, McKeesport, E. Liverpool, New Castle, and Mansfield.  It had a huge illustration of a Spalding baseball that said "Official National League Ball" on it. Above the bottom seam it was inscribed "Pat. April 6-09". The ball was superimposed over a stadium scene with a baseball game in progress. At the bottom of the poster was more advertising for Spalding baseballs. The poster was printed in black and red and had a sepia look from the aged white, now tan background. It was an interesting poster in that I've seen Spalding baseball advertising posters before, but this was the first dated game broadside poster with Spalding advertising. Framed it measured 26" tall by 21" wide, $3,200.00. 

Next was one of the best things at the show, a pair of c1910 fireplace andirons featuring 19 3/4" tall figures of  baseball players. I've seen other examples  before but this was probably the best pair I've seen in person. Their paint appeared original with minimal loss. The back supports were replaced, $5,500.00. I could just imagine these in some got it all collection, standing in front of the fireplace of a five hundred square foot den, full of great sports antiques. Next was a c1890 Darktown Battery Bank with pretty good paint. The amount of original paint determines the value of these, 9 3/4" wide by 7 1/4" tall, $2,000.00. Next up were a dozen c1940 Reach baseballs, all mint,  unopened in their boxes. In turn, all twelve were still neatly packed in the original twelve count flip top box with Reach advertising, $1,200.00. Next was another box of eleven mint unused baseballs, c1950-60's, that had "GO GO SOX" printed on the sweet spot, and packaged in their original shipping box, $850.00. Next up was a little c1910 sterling silver pocket knife with a baseball, bat, cast or stamped in relief on the case, 3" unopened, $375.00. Next up was a 1915 Kansas City Federal League pin, $850.00. Next, a 1914 Boston Braves pin, 4 3/4" by 2 3/4", $1,500.00. Next was a c1900 D&M baseball bat, 34", $525.00. Next was a c1890-1900 figure eight baseball, 2 1/4" diam., $750.00. Last up for the Hunt booth  was a nice tri-fold advertising sign for Old Gold Cigarettes that featured fans cheering in the center, with a baseball game in progress on the two side panels, had a couple small tears but other than that looked mint out the box, 38" tall by 38" wide when displayed, $2,500.00

Rick Giddings, Gizmo's Sportscards

Next was the booth of Rick Giddings of Gizmo's Sportscards, from Davis Junction IL. Now we come to a piece worthy a National. A c1910 die cut stand up advertising sign for Ty Cobb Baseball gloves, made by Stall and Dean. The show was weak for advertising signs, so when I saw this it caught me off guard. Naturally, with the proliferation of fake signs today, I examined it very carefully. From my standpoint, it looked real. 15 3/4" tall by 9 7/8" wide, $7,000.00. One of these brought $19,550.00 in the Halper auction in 1999. Another sold in a 2005 Heritage Auction for $8,365.00. 

Booth Of Gene Hass

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Gene Hass 

Next was the booth of Gene Hass from Edgerton WI. Gene's booth was the kind that make the National fun for the average sports collector to dig thru. Though I didn't find a lot of cutting edge antique display pieces, Gene had a good multi sport mixture of vintage material. He and his wife worked hard setting it all up, and it paid off, as it was all very tidy and organized by genera. First mention in Gene's booth was a 1914 Boston Braves National League pennant, 33" wide, 13" tall, $1,200.00. Next up was a c1907 football team photo, 19 1/4" wide by 15 1/4" tall framed, $225.00. The tag said "Northern Illinois vs. Wisconsin Championship 1907. The players all had a block "R" on their sweaters. Perhaps this was for a high school league. 

Next was an interesting c1920's photo, 17 1/4" wide by 14 3/4" tall, $250.00. The tag said it was of a meeting of Cubs owner William Wrigley Jr., Cubs president Bill Veeck Senior, and baseball commissioner Keneshaw Mountain Landis. The only one I'm sure of is Landis....I'd recognize his scowl any where. What's interesting to me about the photo is who's ever office that is, collected memorabilia themselves. Check out the little statue of a batter in the bottom left corner. Not to mention the cool airplane prop and the panoramic photo on the wall!

Steve Penhacker

Next was the booth Steve Penhacker of Sports Collectibles Ltd. from Orland Park FL. First mention was a ladies figural football brooch, 1 1/4", $50.00. Next was a large felt 1918 Harvard banner, didn't get dimensions.

Booth Of Fred Edgmon click here to see more photos of this booth

Fred Edgmon

Next was the booth Fred Edgmon of Signal Mountain Tennessee. Fred is a regular exhibitor at the National, and could be considered it's resident good'ol boy for his relaxed and likeable demeanor. But don't let the Tennessee drawl fool you; Fred's an accomplished business man in the role of real estate developer, building contractor, and farmer, and not to mention sports and Americana dealer. Fred definitely gets around. I run into him now and then, at shows in California.

First up in Fred's booth was a c1880 ABC children's book by Mcloughlin Bros. printed on cloth, which featured a small but sure reference to baseball. At the top right of page 1 was a "Batman" representing the letter "B" , 8" tall by 6" wide, $250.00. Next up was a c1880 framed Stevengraph that featured a baseball game scene, 11" wide by 7" tall, $975.00. It had a period frame but not the all important original mat. Next up was a nice baseball trophy that featured three miniature crossed bats holding a baseball. The title plate was engraved: MFBBL - CHAPIONSHIP - 1916 - WON BY THE RUSSELL MFG. CO., 11 3/4" TALL, $1,875.00. Next up was a c1880 silver whiskey flask made by Derby that had a baseball batter engraved on the front, 5 1/2" tall, $850.00. Next was a Yankee Boy pocket tobacco tin, in about a 5 condition, 4 5/16" tall, $400.00. Next up was a c1870 Hartford baseball player figure cast in white metal, 7 1/4" tall, $400.00. Originally it was an oil lamp. Next up was a c1900 cast iron baseball batter still bank, 5 3/4" tall, $245.00. Next up, a bronze statue of a baseball pitcher that was based on the c1875 work of Isaac Broome, 8 7/16" tall, $875.00. There was a discussion of one of these statues on Net54 back about a year ago in November 07'. I wrote a summary on it in response to an inquirey I received from Bert Wright. That exchange turned into my introduction to Net54 and I've been  hanging out there regularly ever since, great site! I even went to the Net54 dinner they put on at this years National, which I'll review here in a bit. Back to the statue, here's the links to the discussions, the initial one Bert posted, and the one in which Bert posted my reply to him, initial post and summary post. Next was an interesting "Play Ball" tobacco label, 5 1/8" tall by  4 5/8" wide, $295.00. Next was a trimmed photo (back) of a very young looking c1917 Bobby Jones, 8 3/4" tall by 5 1/8" wide, $350.00. Looked to be a wire photo. 

Next was a very interesting and certainly rare, small illustration, of some sort, of a c1872 baseball player titled "Caught on the Fly" and subtitled "A Base Ball Incident". Fred called it a watercolor painting. I'm not sure of that though. As I study the photo, the outline of the player and the coloring look so precise, to me it looks more like a sketch that was hand colored. Nevertheless whatever it is exactly, my interpretation is that it's important. The back of the paper it was executed on has reference dates of February 16th and 17th 1872. Any original art work of baseball that early merits careful examination. First and foremost are the tied ankles which clearly date it consistent to the 1872 references on the back. Next would be the jockey style design of the cap. I am remiss I didn't shoot a close in of the ball and would be very interested to know if it had lemon peel seams. Then the 19th century sized moustache, common with baseball players of the day. The shirt sleeve cuffs, belt, and shoes may offer something to the correctness, but these nuances would best be addressed by John Gennantonio, king of pre 1875 baseball garb interpretation. Side note: never make passing reference to John, of archaic baseball raiment you may have seen at some venue, without expecting pointed cross examination of intricate details you'll have no idea of! Continuing on, the title of "Caught on the Fly" and subtitled "A Base Ball Incident" are interesting. The artist apparently felt reason to add a title, and "Caught on the Fly" sounds like possibly archaic baseball jargon of the period. The addition of "A Base Ball Incident" sounds as though it was being prepared for public consumption, such as an illustration for a publication of some kind. The light colored lines are curious, and seem to imply it more as a draft to be lifted, than a fine art attempt. Lastly the back of the paper was filled with an abundance of indistinguishable data of some kind. Hard to say why it's there.  We have a reasonably good depiction of a ball player on one side, and a ton of some kind of intelligible data on the back. Is the art the work of some bored bookkeeper daydreaming about what he had planned after work? At any rate, the work deserves a good frame job. Then regardless of whether it's folk or fine art you would have a rare example of original 1872 baseball art, and I can't say I recall ever seeing any before!

Next up was a Batterin' Babe sheet music featuring a photo of a very youthful Babe Ruth completing a swing headed for first, $475.00. Can't see a team name on the uniform, but Ruth looks young enough to be with Boston. Last mention for Fred's booth was a 10 1/2" long baseball bat shaped pencil box, $100.00. Handle unscrewed to put pencils in hollow barrel.

Booth Of Frank's Sportiques

Frank's Sportiques

Next was the booth Frank's Sportiques from Elk Grove Illinois. Frank's had a circa 1930's white plaster plaque of Knut Rockne, 10 3/4" tall by 7 1/2" wide, $125.00. Next was a White Sox lamp, 13 1/2" tall, forgot to get price.

Pat Quinn

Next was the booth of Pat Quinn of Orland Park, IL. First up in Pat's booth was a 1936  Southern Methodist vs. Stanford Rose Bowl banquet menu designed to resemble a football, 9 1/4" wide by 5 3/4" tall, $175.00. It looked just like a program until you opened it!  Next was a 1927 Self Defense Super Special - Dempsey vs. Tunney magazine, 11 3/4" tall by 8 3/4"wide, $100.00. Next was a 1955 Rocky Maciano vs. Archie Moore fight program, $395.00. 

Booth of Russ and Rusty Purdy

Russ and Rusty Purdy, FRP Sports

Next was the booth of father and son Russ and Rusty Purdy respectively, of Lexington, KY. They had one of the best booths of the show, primarily for the wide  variety of figural trophies and statues they brought. The selection rivaled the KanuitGO booth. Actually, their booth was an event because of them. You just don't see that many figural trophies for sale at once, even in the best auctions. I asked Russ why he was selling them off. He said his wife wanted him to. 

First up for the Purdy figurals was a very nice 1944 gold colored baseball trophy that featured a figure of a pitcher in wind-up. It  was engraved: "Panama Canal Department, 11 3/4" tall, $225.00. This was picked off by my  friend Mike Hoevet of Ann Arbor. It was well modeled with a unique art deco quality, and the first example I'd seen. Next up was a small 8" tall, c1920's silver plate statue of a leather helmeted football carrier running with the ball. Below the runner was a downed player looking up at him, who had a hold of his leg, $975.00. I wouldn't say it was great sculpture, but period and darn interesting. I'd only seen one other of these about a couple years ago on eBay. 

Next up was a large 17 1/4" tall un-engraved basketball trophy with a 13 1/3" tall figure of a player that looked ready to pass the ball, $850.00. There were about four or five different basketball trophies produced by various makers in the 1920-30's, with the same basic design as this one, of a large figure of a player on a bold base. The modeling and design of this one make it one of the best. I have an example of this trophy I got from Paul Referson many a year ago. Apparently it was something he dismissed (since it wasn't pre 1880 baseball), and he sold it to me for $75.00. All was good until I got it damaged in the mail. The base got bent and cracked. But for $75.00 I wasn't about to return it since it still displayed reasonably well. Mine has a copper colored patina which makes it appear bronze, and more dramatic, and has a makers mark of A.C. Rehberger - Chicago, copyrighted 1929. I stuck mine in the back of a group of figurals on a table next to my favorite chair, so you don't see the damaged base. 

Next up in the Purdy booth was an un-engraved c1920's fielders Spalding trophy, 15" tall, $4,000.00. There were two of these at the show, the other in Mike Brown's booth, however it was offered in a group of five Spaldings. Next was another c1920's basketball trophy that had a player reaching high for a ball, 19 1/2" tall, $450.00. Again I have this one too, but with a different base.

Next up was a very nice c1930 baseball trophy issued by Wilson Sporting Goods that featured a large 12 1/4" tall figure of a player finishing a throw, 16" tall, $3,000.00. I have an example of this trophy and have always thought the player a remarkable spitting image of a trim youthful Babe Ruth in his early playing days. However, the player is throwing with his right, whereas Ruth threw with his left. Next was a remarkable c1920's ladies softball trophy. It was engraved: THE J.G. CORNELL TROPHY - PRESENTED TO THE SCARBORO TOWNSHIP LADIES SOFTBALL LEAGUE - FOR ANNUAL COMPITITION, 18 3/4" TALL, $750.00. It was mounted on an unusual rosewood colored wood base, and had figural crossed bats and a balls under the cup. It was probably the nicest ladies softball trophy I've seen.  Last up in the Purdy booth was a 1908 Cubs Championship stick pin Russ brought for show and tell only, wasn't for sale.

Demian Werner

Next was the booth of Demian Werner of Brentwood Iowa. Demian had a group of c1920 baseball catchers equipment that included a mask, chest protector, shin guards, and glove, $500.00 for all. Came with original dust.

Denny Graziano

Next was the booth of Denny Graziano of Baseball City II, from Franklin Park Illinois. Denny had a remarkable track trophy that featured a large 8" tall figure of a track runner stooped over in starting position. The figure, which was cast in white metal with a gold colored patina, was in turn mounted on a two tier black wooden base. There was a title plate on the front of the trophy engraved: OWEN VAN CAMP TROPHY - BANKERS MILE - CHICAGO DAILY NEWS RELAYS - PRESENTED BY - CHICAGO CHAPTER  A.I.B. - ESTABLISHED 1931, 16" tall, $16,000.00. (one thousand dollars per inch!) It was a perpetual type trophy awarded yearly. Below the title plate encircling the primary base, were individual plates for the winners of the race per given year. The last winner being in 1964. I believe A.I.B. stood for The American Institute of Banking, which was founded in 1907. This was an interesting trophy. It was made by Dieges and Clust and was titled by them: "ON THE MARK", which is cast into the metal base. It isn't a common trophy by any means, but they do surface in the hobby once in a great while. I have seen a smaller version once at a show, and on eBay. I have two versions of the 8" in my collection. One I got from Ray Wood many moons ago for $800.00 at the old, now defunct, PMA show in San Mateo California. It has a bronze colored patina/finish. I spotted in in Ray's booth before the show opened and wasn't leaving without it, as it was the first one I'd seen at the time. The other I got on eBay for a song, like $20.00 I think it was. It's got a silver plate finish. 

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