This preview consists of two parts, a written commentary seen below, and a list of 33 lots that SportsAntiques101.com believes exceptional, located at the bottom

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This is the second Louisville Slugger Museum Auction Hunt has had. I'm sure they're really popular with a the bat collectors, but as I recall, the first one didn't have the the usual amount of great display pieces I've come to expect from Hunt auctions. However, there seems to be considerably more in this one.  If you comb the catalog carefully, it's sprinkled with some very good stuff. The following would be some of my top picks of the auction. 

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The first mention would be Lot 23 , a c1889 cast metal baseball motif mirror, aprox. 15 1/2inches tall, estimate $1,000 - $1,500.00 These are pretty scarce. You rarely see them offered, and I'd put them within the exotic baseball antique category. The cast metal scene of a pitcher winding up, a batter, and a catcher in an action stance, functions as a holder to retain the mirror. The diamond shaped mirror which is displayed upright on one corner, no doubt was intended to simulate a baseball diamond. Though the piece wouldn't technically be folk art, the baseball scene's modest art style definitely has a folk art feel. 

Originally these were painted gold, and came with a little cast metal decorative base (baseball base)  that literally hung on the top point of the mirror. This one is missing the base, and the mirror isn't original. Don't be dismayed by this however. I say that for a couple reasons. First is that sometimes you have to be more forgiving for items of this level, as they are so rare. Don't forget this is baseball, one of the most desirable and expensive sports to collect. The other reason is little if any  the visual impact is lost. No doubt if you didn't know it originally came with the base, you'd have never even noticed. And though the original mirror would be very nice to have, overall it's just about as impressive with a replacement. As for the paint, or lack of it I should say, I think the one I have, which you can see on my baseball page, is the only one I've seen with the original paint. All the others I've seen looked just like this one.

I don't know who the maker of these mirrors was, but I'd sure like to. It seems like someone once told me there were other matching pieces that came with it, like a brush and comb set or something. But I could be wrong. My first thought as to the maker is the Muller brothers, Nicholas and Karl. They made the c1876 baseball motif clock I wrote about, dubbed the Muller clock. Plus the c1868 baseball statues. The only thing is, the year 1889 is prominently cast into the back of the baseball scene, which is quite a bit latter than those Muller pieces. But it's possible they could have made the mirror too. The  baseball players in the two afore mentioned Muller pieces wore the really archaic sailor looking garb, whereas the players in the mirror are wearing the latter 1880's pillbox style baseball caps. 

I remember the first time I ever saw one of these mirrors maybe 15 years ago. John Bounaguidi and I were sharing a booth at the the Antique Collectors Revival show in San Mateo California, and he was selling one. I remember thinking it was the most exquisite thing I'd ever seen but I couldn't afford it. I forget what John was asking. I remember a lady came over and looked at it, that was set up at the show, and was very interested in it. I remember thinking, this lady know what's going on, she understands how great this piece is. Turned out it was Maxine Evans, Josh Evans' mom. For the uninitiated, that would be Josh Evans, founder and C.E.O. of Leland's Sports Auctions. It was about when Josh was just starting his march, running big ads in SCD and all. 

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BB Chair

Next would be Lot 34, A circa 1910 mission oak style rocking chair with an engraving of a baseball game scene, estimate $2,750.00-$3,500.00. This style of furniture is also loosely referred to as Arts and Crafts. Arts and Crafts was an international design movement that began in England and spread throughout Europe, then to America, in the late 19th to early 20th century. Among other things, it  promoted the value of cottage industry over large mechanized. It  was opposed to and essentially a result of the industrial revolution and the changes it brought. Another emphasis was on the esthetic design of functional items. The Arts and Crafts movement eventually became almost political with ties to socialism, then slid even further into other ills. Good idea that went bad, basically. 

Anyway, back to this chair. These are quite rare, and I can't recall the last one I've seen offered. Over the years I have seen the matching love seat and regular non rocking chair with the same engraving. I think someone once told me there is a bed set too, but I've never seen it, and can't substantiate that. I wonder if each engraved scene was done by hand? Which would mean each would be a unique work of art essentially. I don't know a lot about them other than they are from around 1910, based on their design. 

I can tell you this though, they're the only antique sports related furniture I know of, they're very rare, and they're very well done. Some day I'd really like to fully investigate these and find out who made them, where they were made, and when. Certainly there must be some advertising on them somewhere. If anyone knows about them I'd appreciate hearing from you. 

I know of a big name Hollywood movie producer that has the chair and rocker. I tried to sell him the matching love seat that a friend had, but his wife passed on it. Can you imagine? Go figure. Hunt had another of these rockers ten years and almost nine months ago, in a February 25th 1995 auction. It sold for $1,980.00 back then. It'll be very interesting to see what it goes for now!

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Next mention is Lot 38, a c1880, blown glass stein with a hand painted baseball batter, and original pewter lid, 7 inch tall, estimate $1,500-$2,000. This is one of the most exquisite sports steins I've seen, and is far more rare than the usual antique porcelain sports steins such as the Mettlach pieces. A very fine baseball antique, and one of the best things in the auction. Next mention, Lot 412, an incredible Allen & Ginter "Game Birds" tobacco advertising poster, 32 inches tall by 15 inches wide, estimate $2,500.00 -$3,500.00. Wow, what a beauty! I've never seen it before. Allen and Ginter posters are sort of the king of sports posters. This is the kind of piece you sell things to get! 

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Lot 10a, c1839 lemon peel  baseball from the Tunnicliff family near Cooperstown, NY	Lot 15, c1900 baseball  catchers pneumatic chest protector

Next mention, Lot 10a, a c1839 lemon peel  baseball from the Tunnicliff family near Cooperstown, NY, Estimate $5,000.00- $7,500.00. The ball shows evidence of having been an early display in the Baseball Hall of Fame. Estimate $5,000.00-$7,500.00. This piece should garner considerable interest from advanced ball collectors. Next is Lot 15, a c1900 baseball catchers pneumatic chest protector Estimate $400.00 - $600.00 . I guess I listened to John Gennantonio's hushed tones about these things for so long, until he finally got one, that I'm now very well versed in how rare they are. The catalog description doesn't say if it holds air, but it appears to in the photo. There's no makers label, but as rare as they are that shouldn't make much difference. 

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Lot 29, c1888 Folk art  baseball children's sled

Next up would be Lot 29, a c1888 Folk art baseball children's sled, Estimate $2,500.00 - $3,500.00. Apparently features a drawing and reference to the 19th century baseball player Mike King Kelly. I think the last time I saw one of these was in a Leland's auction maybe 12-15 years ago. Mark Cooper has one that was featured in an exhibition of baseball folk art that was held at the American Folk Art Museum in New York City June 17, 2003-Feb. 1, 2004. The Exhibit was titled "The Perfect Game: America Looks at Baseball,". Mark told me that when the museum was planning the exhibition, that they were going to use an example that belonged to noted baseball folk art collector Bill Gladstone, who Mark is friends with. But when they saw Mark's sled, it was so much nicer they used it instead. 

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Lot 41  c1920 Lucky Curve tobacco tin  4 1/2" tall x 7" wide  x 4 3/4" deep	Lot 406, c1880 Keystone  Mixture wooden tobacco bucket with Baseball motif label

Last two mentions, first, Lot 41, a c1920 Lucky Curve tobacco tin, 4 1/2" tall x 7" wide x 4 3/4" deep, Estimate $750.00 - $1,000.00. This type tin is referred to as a lunch box, because of it's size, and it's the only lunch box  antique baseball tin known. It's a very striking because of it's size, great graphics, and bright orangish red color. I have an example that you can see on my tins page. Last mention before we get down to the linked highlights is Lot 406, c1880 Keystone Mixture wooden tobacco bucket with Baseball motif label, Estimate $4,000.00  - $5,000.00 I may have seen this before, but it's so rare I can't recall for sure. Rare and great that is. The photo on line and in the hard copy catalog doesn't do it justice. I happened to enlarge it to 100% while formatting it for this page and WOW! Talk about detail, and good art quality! I'm very impressed with it. Of course for $4,000.00 to $5,000.00 I better be impressed. That's typical, the really great stuff is never cheap!

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