Next is a piece that ranks in the speechless level. It's hard to begin to discuss this piece, because I say everything I write about is great. Therefore what I'm about to say might not be listened to carefully enough. You could take all the memorabilia in the convention center that day, the entire structure, including the land it's on, and all of it combined would not compare to the value of this item. Doubtful monetarily, but certainly historically and morally. see photo below

I would say it is the most important offering of American sports memorabilia there has ever been. The item I refer to is the original display case that sat in the Cincinnati Red Stockings clubhouse containing seventeen decorated trophy balls from their inaugural 1869 east coast tour, Offered by Mastronet of Oak Brook, Il. Lot No.#752, Minimum Bid: $100,000.00 . Please understand, the Cincinnati Red Stockings were the first professional baseball team, and these balls are from their first tour in which they were undefeated! The entire display is in amazing condition. It's the kind of thing that would go well in the Presidents office in the White House. The Mastronet web page talks about the potential of parting out the collection and restoring the lettering on the case. Both are sensitive subjects that should be approached very carefully with great consideration, as both would be irreversible alteration of a national treasure.

These next four pieces were offered in the shared booth of, John Kanuit of Vintage Sports Collector from Palos Verdes Estates California, and Mark Nash of National Pastime from Pikeville, NC. . We begin with a large framed team photograph of the 1886 Utica BBC Champions, International League, by Mundy photo, Utica, N.Y., 25" x 29" framed, Offered by John Kanuit of Vintage Sports Collector, Paols Verdes Estates, Ca. Price: $2,200.00 . 

Next  from the booth of this prolific duo was a 1930's advertising poster for Lan-Tox Iron Tablets, 32" x 18", price: $375.00 . Cool piece, would look nicer framed. I think Kanuit got this at the National, as I saw him carting it off across the Convention floor from somewhere. Next Nash-Kanuit was a 1930's pro football broadside poster for Cleveland vs. Syracuse, 21" x 28"  price: $475.00 . Vintage pro football broadsides are pretty scarce, nice piece. Next Nash-Kanuit, a 1930's football plaque made of bronze and stained glass in yellow & red, 9" x 6 ¾", price: $375.00, had a crack in the bronze, at the top, but didn't show much. These are interesting; I have the mate, a passer that looks like Red Grange, which has a white glass background. I've seen a golfer of the same genre in a book as well, no maker on them, suspect they may be German.

Next up, a small 1887 Harvard Freshmen Foot Ball Team broadside poster, offered by John Ross of Harrisburg, PA., Price: $800.00 . It may be a little small, and it is for the freshmen team, nevertheless, any Harvard vs. Yale football broadside from the 1880's is nothing to sneeze at. I've seen this piece offered someplace before. I examined it closely….looked right to me.

The next grouping was offered by an interesting gentleman, who I'd never met before, named Glenn Mechanick, from Bayonne, N.J. Obviously from his stock, a seasoned and knowledgeable dealer. We begin with a circa 1910 European biscuit tin  with lithographed sports scenes on each side, women rowers on the front, a Euro football scene on the viewers left side, a tennis scene on the back, a scene of snow skiers and sleders on the right side, and a…hold on, let me go look….English fox hunting scene on the lid, 12 ¾" wide x 6 ½" tall, price: $400.00 . This tin was my only purchase at the convention. My primary interest is American sports antiques. However, this tin made it to the gotta have it level, as it's the nicest sports tin I've ever seen. There's a little story to it. My friend John Buonaguidi had an example of this tin, that he'd gotten out of a Leland's auction for like $700.00-$800.00 . Then it got stolen. He was sick about it. When I spotted it, Glenn was asking $450.00, but quoted me $400.00. I wanted it, but it was the same old story…if I found something later I couldn't live without, I didn't want to end up $400.00 short. Same old poker game. I offered $350.00, but Glenn wouldn't come off. So I ended up pulling the trigger before somebody else got it. It was just too nice and rare to pass up I thought. I emailed a photo of it to a collector buddy I met on eBay, Hans Gerretzen (gerretzen@hotmail.com), from the Netherlands. Hans is a highly advanced collector of European Football (soccer) antiques. He wants it, and interestingly has never seen it before. He'll probably end up with it. I told him; let me keep it a while!

Next, Mechanick had three turn of the century pencil boxes, two tennis ones and a track one, ranging from $200-$400 . A little worn, but still nice. Next Mechanick piece, a 19th century, chromolitho, pre-helmet, football cigar label, 3 ¾" x 2 ¾", price: $175.00, Gorgeous! Next Mechanick, a Detroit Tigers commemorative 1907-08 championship match safe, with players portraits, $3,500.00, Striking!

Next up, a vintage oil painting of Babe Ruth, 42"x 36", Offered by Bob Wetzel, price: $3,500.00 . No way to tell the exact period it was from, but looked like it had some decent age. Can't say I've ever seen a vintage oil painting of Ruth before, great find for a Ruth collector.

Next was two boxing site posters, offered by hobby veteran Tony Bussineau of Lansing MI. One was for a 1961 bout between Floyd Patterson and Ingemar Johansson, 14" x 22", price: $500.00 , pretty strong! The other was for Sugar Ray Robinson vs. Ralph Dupas, 14"x 22", Price $500.00 . Any Sugar Ray Robinson site poster would be a find!

Next up, a Gene Fullmer vs. Del Flanagan boxing site poster, 22" x 28", Price: $500.00 . This was offered by Tom Tighe (marciano490@yahoo.com), of Long Island, N.Y. Tom was an interesting fella, as I've never met anyone who specialized in  Marciano material.

Next up, a boat load (3) of exceptional silver plate trophies, offered by the prolific Darrell O'Mary of Sports Paradise, from Marietta, GA. First was a heck of a unique cocktail shaker in the design of a 1910-20's leather golf bag, 12 ¾" tall, price: $1,100.00 , made by Derby, who made some of the best trophies, this is a good example of their quality. Next O'Mary piece, a 1945 American League World's Amateur Championship Trophy, 26 ¼" tall, Price: $6,000.00 , a huge and very impressive trophy, best I saw at the National. Surprisingly good quality for as late as it's from. Next O'Mary, a 1923 Toledo City Champions Trophy, 12 ¼" tall, Price: $950.00 , another striking beauty!

Next up, Circa 1920 Basketball hoop with original net, and circa 1920 ball, offered by Hank Reizes, from Mesa, AZ. Price: rim and net  $250.00, ball $250.00 . Hank was sharing a booth with John F. Parker of 99% Basketball from Chelsea, VT. Hank is an interesting person in that he specializes in vintage basketball material, and is now selling off his collection. Good to know specialists, had never met one for antique  basketball.

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