Rob Bertrand, über-collectors, is building a 500 Home Run autograph collection. Here are his first 11 signed baseballs.

Passion, energy, excitement. The thrill of the hunt. It seems that everyone infected with the collecting bug shares these same traits! True enthusiasts—or “über collectors” —spend endless hours building their perfect collections and becoming experts in their areas of interest. To celebrate this form of remarkable commitment, WorthPoint is initiating a series of interviews with über collectors from across North America so we can all learn what makes them, and what they collect, so interesting. Our first conversation is with a gentleman from the Midwest who specializes in all things having to do with sports.

WorthPoint: Please tell us your name, where you live and your profession.

Über Collector: Hi, my name is Rob Bertrand. I am from Alliance, Ohio, and for my day job, I am a content developer.

WP: Rob, tell us about what you collect and why you are so interested in it.

ÜC: I collect sports cards and memorabilia—things like balls, bats, uniforms, tickets, uniforms and programs. As a passionate sports fan, they connect me to the athletes and the games. I’ve always loved art, graphic design and photography; sports cards in particular blend all this into one element.

WP: How many cards and pieces of sports memorabilia items do you have in your collection?

ÜC: Wow, that’s a tough question. Hundreds of thousands would be about the best I could do to quantify it.

WP: Wow, that is incredibly impressive! I can’t even imagine how anyone could keep track of that volume of treasures. So, can you please tell us how you got interested in collecting these items?

ÜC: I collected as a kid and, as most boys do once they enter adolescence, my interests turned to other things. About 12 years ago a friend asked me when the last time I had been in a card shop, and had I seen what they were doing with cards these days. It had obviously been years and when he showed me some of his collection, I was instantly hooked.

WP: What are your favorite top three items in your collection, and why?

A portion of Bertand’s Cal Ripken Jr. collection.

ÜC: Another tough question, and hard to answer given the diversity of things in my collection. When it comes to cards, they would include:

1. My 2001 Upper Deck SP Legendary Cuts Shoeless Joe Jackson Game Used Bat Card. This card has an actual piece of a baseball bat used by Jackson on it! I cherish this card because he is arguably one of the greatest players to ever play the game, despite his alleged complicity in the 1919 Black Sox Scandal. As a White Sox fan, to own a piece of a bat he used during his career is just incredible.

2. My 1968 Topps Nolan Ryan Rookie Card. I grew up knowing how great of a pitcher Nolan Ryan was and watched him pitch countless times. As the only player to have seven no-hitters and retire as the all-time strikeout king, owning his rookie card brings a smile to my face.

3. 2005 Donruss Throwback Threads Babe Ruth Game-Used Bat and Jersey Card. This card has small pieces of Ruth’s bat and uniform on it. To me, this Babe Ruth card is simply epic. How many people can say they own a piece of the Babe’s game-used jersey and bat? I don’t have the kind of deep pockets necessary to acquire those rare treasures in their entirety at auction. But to be able to own just a tiny piece is quite a thrill!

In addition, an important component of my overall collection is my group of single signed balls from the 500 Home Run Club. These would certainly qualify among my very top collection favorites. They are a work in progress, but I have 11, including Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Willie Mays, Reggie Jackson, Mike Schmidt, Harmon Killebrew, Willie McCovey, Eddie Mathews, Frank Robinson, Eddie Murray and Frank Thomas.

WP: Wow! I can understand why these items are so special to you. Many of them appear in the Worthopedia as well—so congrats on your great taste and eye for investment! Many people who have great collections like yours also are methodical about their presentations. So, how do you display your collection? Do you keep everything out at the same time, or do you rotate displays?

ÜC: The display is constant with new items periodically being added. I have an organized office with displays for my favorite players—they include Cal Ripken Jr., Nolan Ryan, Michael Jordan and Walter Payton. I also have space for my favorite Chicago sports teams, the Chicago Bears, Bulls, Blackhawks, Sox and Cubs.

WP: Would you be so kind as to tell us a brief story about how you went out of your way to get a very special item for your collection.

The Chicago Blackhawks section of Bertand’s collection.

ÜC: Absolutely! I was attending a Chicago Blackhawks playoff game. At intermission I headed off to the rest room. I was standing there and out of the corner of my eye saw someone step next to me. It was former Blackhawk goalie Ed Belfour! I said, “Mr. Belfour, I’d shake your hand . . . but now doesn’t seem like the appropriate time!” He chuckled and we both went about our business. The bathroom was crowded and I lost sight of him. I washed my hands and rushed into the concourse, frantically scanning the area to find him again. I saw him and ran up to him. I introduced myself and asked him to sign my ticket. And, he did!

WP: Rob, what is the “holy grail” item you would love to add to your collection?

ÜC: That’s an easy one. Without a doubt, the 1914 Cracker Jack Shoeless Joe Jackson sportscard. It is an extremely popular card that commands tens of thousands of dollars in almost any condition on the secondary market.

WP: Many, many thanks for your time and best of luck in finding your 1914 treasure! One’s out there with your name on it, for sure!

Are you an über-collectors? E-mail us at news [at] worthpoint [dot] com and tell us about your collection and we may feature you and your collection in an upcoming article.

Rebekah Kaufman is a Worthologist who specializes in vintage Steiff and other European plush collectibles.

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A white-winged scoter decoy by Augustus Wilson held by yours truly in my shop.

Recently I received a call from a woman who had a decoy she wanted more information on. A local auction house referred her to me. She was a delightful woman who, as a nurse, was gifted this lovely decoy. Times being what they are, she wondered about selling it. She sent pictures via e-mail after we talked on the phone, when she said she the decoy was from Maine. When I saw the pictures, I agreed.

From the photos, I guessed it probably was a Gus Wilson white-winged scoter. However, since I had never had a Wilson in my hands, I told her I would do some research. She agreed to bring the decoy to my shop on the following Friday. Since Gus Wilson decoys are highly sought after and can be quite valuable, I did not want to raise false hopes so I did not mention the name over the phone. When she arrived and placed the decoy in my hands I knew it was, indeed, a Gus Wilson decoy. A really good decoy just sings. I don’t know how else to describe it. Since she wanted to get as much as possible for the decoy I suggested she contact the Guyette and Schmidt decoy auction house.

The basic telltale indicators for a Gus Wilson decoy include carved eyes, inletted head, incised mandible separations (carved line to indicate top and bottom bill), a flat, unfinished bottom and gently carved wings with simple sleek body lines.

His paint job is usually simple as well, the scoter being simple black and white. But he also carved completely raised wings, carved heads tilted in different directions, preening forward or back, rocking heads and sometimes placed carved mussels or leather seaweed in the bill. The crests on his mergansers were carved or made from horsehair or leather. The most beautiful paint jobs he did were on his mergansers. He was often quite frugal in the use of wood to make his decoys, joining scraps together to make one piece big enough for the body. But he was certainly less frugal with his time when carving the heads. There is even carving under the bills and in the forward preeners; the only way to see the carving is with a mirror. Apparently, he stamped some decoys “made by Augustus A. Wilson, S. Portland Me.” and there are other decoys carved with a W with a horizontal line through it. But most Gus Wilson decoys went unsigned.

The scoter on the right exhibits the telltales of a Gus Wilson decoy including flat unfinished bottom, inletted head, carved eyes, and raised wings. The black duck on the left is one of his rocking heads. Prices realized in July of this year were $3,000 for the rocking head and $3,800 for the scoter. (Photo courtesy of Guyette Schmidt)

Wilson (1864-1950) was born in Tremont, Maine, on Mt. Desert Island, and was listed in a 1900 census as a fisherman. He was also known as a boat builder and outdoorsman. He spent his life along the Maine coast, even spending 20 years in the lighthouse service. He carved for more than 60 years and even though the basic telltales remained the same, certain stylistic changes occurred. The early years are characterized by bold body shape and various treatments to the bill. The next phase included more experimentation with head position. The decoys of his final years were less well made as a whole, however, he innovated a swivel head that could be placed in any position. The coastal birds he carved included scoters, oldsquaw, mergansers, black ducks and eiders. My favorites are the early scoters with the mergansers a close second.

Merganser by Gus Wilson realized $2,700 at the July Guyette Schmidt auction this year. Note the “seaweed” in its bill. (Photo courtesy of Guyette Schmidt)

“Our” decoy—the one I was appraising—is in the forward preening position and there is exceptional carving in the bill area, which makes it a very nice decoy. The extra carving and the bold body indicate it was made around 1900 in the Monhegan style.

The fine head on this Wilson scoter should help to realize the pre sale estimate of $5,000 to $8,000. (Photo courtesy of Guyette Schmidt)

It is in good condition, with some damage to the tail. It is among the items up for bid at Guyette and Schmidt on Nov. 10 and 11. It will be interesting to see how well this decoy does. Keep antiquing, keep your eyes open and have fun!

For more detailed discussion on Gus Wilson and his decoys see “The Great Book of Wildfowl Decoys,” edited by Joe Engers. Modern Publishing, New York.1990, and “Gus Wilson-Folk Artist Renown late 19th and early 20th Century Decoy Carver,” Gene and Linda Kangas. Creekside Art Gallery Blog. 1994.

Laura Collum is a Worthologist who specializes in decoys, nautical and scientific instruments.

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Eddie Gaedel, the first (and only) midget to play Major League Baseball.

Making general statements when it comes to collecting and investing in vintage sports memorabilia can be a little tricky at times. However, an almost sure-fire way to make sure you’re buying top-notch collectibles that will command about as much investment potential as an ounce of gold has, at least in recent years, is an item representing a “first” of pretty much any significant event in the sporting world.

Whether it’s a star player’s first game ticket, a rookie jersey or even a scorecard from a unique game, such as when famed baseball “Little Man” Eddie Gaedel took the field for the St. Louis Browns, “firsts” definitely rank near the top of the list in hobby categories. To help demonstrate this theory, Heritage Auction Galleries took a look through its Auction Archives database and searched for the key word: “first,” which turned up some intriguing results, including the following:

1947 Jackie Robinson’s First Major League Game Ticket Stub

• 1947 Jackie Robinson’s First Major League Game Ticket Stub: Arguably the most significant ticket stub in the entire baseball collectibles hobby, this historic voucher realized $11,352 in Heritage’s 2009 October Signature Auction. Most of these cardboard treasures were tossed away by attendees of the game, but fortunately for the winning bidder, this example remained unharmed after all these years and displays splendidly.

1929 Green Bay Packers Team Signed Panoramic Photograph from Team’s First Championship Season

• 1929 Green Bay Packers Team Signed Panoramic Photograph from Team’s First Championship Season: The first championship of the Green Bay Packers’ storied history is represented on this team-signed panoramic image from the 1929 season. Without question, the highest quality of its kind, this crystal clear photo was signed by multiple Hall of Famers, including Curly Lambeau, Cal Hubbard and Mike Michalske. This Canton-caliber piece set a record for the highest-selling signed football photo ever at a staggering $15,535 in Heritage’s 2010 April Signature Auction.

1924-25 Boston Bruins Game Worn Sweater from First NHL Season

• 1924-25 Boston Bruins Game Worn Sweater from First NHL Season: This jersey was purchased by an extremely alert game-used hockey guru using Heritage’s “Post-Auction Buy” feature for $27,000. There’s no question that the Boston Bruins are one of the NHL’s most historic franchises, and a sweater from the league’s first season is without question one of the most important auction offerings ever to hit the block.

1934 First Masters Tournament Official Program

• 1934 First Masters Tournament Official Program: While golf’s most prestigious “Major” tournament has a very devoted collector base, even the most serious Master’s enthusiasts have probably never even seen a program from the 1934 inaugural event. This stunning specimen sold for a little more than $5,000 in Heritage’s 2009 October Signature Auction.

1979 Wayne Gretzky’s First NHL Game Used Puck

• 1979 Wayne Gretzky’s First NHL Game Used Puck: This piece originated from the Mush March Collection, and while utilizing that rock-solid provenance, we were able to determine that this puck was used in Wayne Gretzky’s first ever NHL contest. Selling at $2,390 in Heritage’s October 2009 Signature Auction, this piece possesses loads of investment potential and would fit nicely in the Hockey Hall of Fame.

The above list is just a small sampling of “First” pieces that are so coveted in the sports memorabilia hobby. So it’s probably a safe bet to keep your ticket stubs and programs. You never know when you’ll have a “first” in your possession.

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This John Blair, Jr. pintail that sold for $47,500 at Guyette and Schmidt’s July auction 2009. This price was achieved due to its very good condition plus very desirable provenance. The decoy was acquired from the Blair family in the 1980s. Photo courtesy of Guyette and Schmidt.

I recently wrote about the New Jersey decoys in general and of the coastal bays in particular (Hollow, Light-Weight Decoys Valued on the Jersey Coast and Delaware Valley). There is a separate tradition of decoy making in New Jersey and Pennsylvania that centers on the southern part of the Delaware River. These decoys are also hollow and made from two slabs nailed together and caulked as their coastal counterparts (with an exception mentioned in this article). They are different mainly in being more robust and having wingtips and tails carved in some species.

This region of decoy making is the 20-mile section of the river between Trenton to the north and Delanco to the south. Hunting on the Delaware River was done by sculling and the making of sculling oars became a specialty, as well. A two-man sculling boat by Jess Heisler, a decoy maker, looked a lot like the sneak box of the coast. Boats made in Bordentown (a decoy center on the river) were 12- to 14-foot double-ended vessels that were half decked and lapstraked. Some called them “banana boats” due to their shape. Hunting and decoy carving was done mainly by sportsmen, not professionals such as the baymen on the coast. Luckily for the collector, some of these sportsmen signed their decoys.

These river decoys are more realistic to the shape of the real duck on the water than the more-stylized coastal birds. “In cross section they are more broadly rounded below water than coastal decoys. The puddle ducks have the wingtips raised, with stylized carved detail,” wrote Kenneth Gosner. Later in the development of the Delaware River decoy, some makers flattened the bottoms and some added a wood keel. The river currents also affected the shape of the decoys and where the weight was placed on the bottom. Weights on these decoys were flat pads nailed to the bottom midway along the body to near the tail depending on the swiftness of the currents in the particular part of the river where they were used. The majority of ducks hunted on the river were black ducks; therefore black ducks make up the majority of the decoys found.

These are two Delaware River black duck decoys, the upper one by Dan English, and the lower one by Tom Fitzpatrick. In 2001 the English decoy realized $1,500 and the Fitzpatrick decoy realized $1,600 at a Guyette and Schmidt auction. Photos courtesy of Guyette and Schmidt.

As I have mentioned in other decoy articles, there are distinct styles or schools of decoy making. The Blair school of the Delaware River is based on John Blair, Sr. (1842-1928) who lived on the Pennsylvania side of the river. His son also carved lovely decoys. There seem to be some attribution issues and many unknown makers of the Blair school, but the style itself is quite evident. See “Working Decoys of the Jersey Coast and the Delaware Valley,” by Kenneth Gosner for an in depth discussion of the John Blair school. The elder Blair is known to have made decoys with three slabs, as well as two, and joined them with dowels. His decoys differ from the standard Delaware River decoy in that his are long and lean.

This black duck decoy is by John Blair, Sr. This decoy has the long lean look of the senior Blair and is typical of the Blair school. Photo courtesy of Guyette and Schmidt.

The decoys of John English (1849-1915) are considered by many collectors to epitomize the Delaware River decoy. His son Daniel English (1883-1962) also carved decoys, and they are equally collectable. John Dawson painted many of John English’s decoys and painted a triangle on the underside of the bill as a signature, a good thing to look for. He also carved his own decoys, but they are rather stiff in aspect; it was his painting that he excelled at. Other makers of the English school include William Quinn, C. Ridgeway (Reg) Marter, and Jess Heisler. Marter signed his decoys with a brass tag attached to the bottom of the decoy.

These four decoys are typical of the Delaware River region. The upper one is by John English, the two middle ones are unknown makers of the Blair school, and the lower is by Tom Fitzpatrick. Photos courtesy of Guyette and Schmidt.

The Bordentown school is centered on the maker Charles Black (1882-1956). His decoys, as well as those of the school, have a flat bottom, have pad-weight placement is at the rear and many have the tail carved from the lower slab. His decoys were boxy; think barge. Charles Allen is another maker from this area whose paint jobs are exceptional in his later decoys. Some carvers changed their decoys little over the years. John McLoughlin, who began carving in his early teens, experimented and evolved over the years and made decorative decoys as well.

This decoy is by Charles Black. Note the barge-like shape of the body. It only realized $450 at auction in 2001 due to the condition of the paint. Photo courtesy of Guyette and Schmidt.

Delaware River decoys do well at auction (selling in the low four-figures) as long as condition is original and good. Decoys by the Blairs, senior and junior, can bring the highest prices, with a Blair Jr. pintail (with excellent provenance) realizing $47,500 at a Guyette and Schmidt auction in July 2009.

This is a black duck decoy attributed to Robert Freirich from Tullytown Pa. It realized $2,250 at auction in 2001 due to condition and the “it” factor. Photo courtesy of Guyette and Schmidt.

I noticed at this recent auction that English decoys and those made by others, were not doing well when the paint was not original, even with a professional repaint or restoration. This difficult economy is probably playing a big part in that. As with any antique or collectible, provenance, condition and rarity are the main factors that determine value of an item. However, just as important are fads or trends and the “it” factor. Have fun!

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Laura Collum is a Worthologist who specializes in decoys, nautical and scientific instruments.

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According to Kenneth L. Gosner, author of “Working Decoys of the Jersey Coast and Delaware Valley,” the small size of the boats influenced the design of the decoys, i.e. the decoys are hollow to save on weight in these small boats. The size of rigs varied, but a typical rig consisted of about 40 decoys, making this an important consideration. Also, a typical New Jersey decoy weighed only about half of its solid body counterparts.

The decoy bodies were made out of two slabs of cedar temporarily attached together, top to bottom, and carved to shape. They were then taken apart and the insides were hollowed out with a custom made adz; the thickness of the walls was about ½ inch. The slabs were nailed together and the seam caulked. Typically, for a New Jersey decoy, the head was attached to a platform carved on the body for the head and neck using nails. But attachments varied; sometimes a dowel was driven through the head into the body and sometimes a screw was driven up through the top slab into the head before the body was put together.

Notice the area of attachment of the head to the body on this female Scaup by H.V. Shourds. The horizontal line where the two body halves are joined is obvious.

The New Jersey decoys tend to be stylized with minimal carving and little diversity of pose. Usually, painting consisted of simple planes of color, including field marks. The body was typically rounded in cross section but varied to almost flat on the bottom. As with larger differences in design that distinguish regions of decoy making from one another (see Identification of Decoys by Region) there are smaller local differences that make up the various “schools” of decoy carving. Centers for these schools in New Jersey include Barnegat, Head of the Bay, Tuckerton and Parkertown, Atlantic and Cape May counties. For more in-depth discussion of these local regional styles and the carvers who lived and worked there, see “Working Decoys of the Jersey Coast and Delaware Valley.”

A Blackduck by Jess Birdsall shows the typical New Jersey, Barnegat style. It sold in November of 2007 at Guyette and Schmidt auction for 350. Photo courtesy of Guyette and Schmidt.

One maker known for his excellent interpretation of the simple lines of the New Jersey decoy is Harry Vinuckson Shourds (1861-1920). He was a professional decoy maker and bayman out of Tuckerton, N.J. and was quite prolific. He sold his decoys to the south to gunning camps in the Carolinas as well as up the coast to the north, so that the hollow decoy was well known. The crown of the head on his duck decoys rose to a higher peak than those of many other New Jersey carvers, which makes for an easy way to indentify his decoys. His son, H.M. Shourds, also carved decoys very similar to his father. The best way to tell these two apart is to look head on at the decoy; the head and neck on H.V. Shourds decoys are thicker and sturdier. He also made shorebird decoys.

A head-on view of the female Scaup shows the sturdiness of the head and neck.

There is a fun anecdote about Shourds that demonstrates his skill and speed in carving decoys. When he went for a haircut he took a band-sawed head blank with him. While the barber worked on him, he carved the head under the bib. When the barber was done he had a finished head ready to go.

This shows the redhead drake that realized $900 at the July 2009 Guyette and Schmidt auction. It is described a having a chip on tail and crack through the neck, as well as considerable wear to the paint. Photo courtesy of Guyette and Schmidt.

This shows the exceptional redhead drake that realized $24,500 at the November 2007 Guyette and Schmidt auction. The only condition issue mentioned is slight wear to the original paint. “It has excellent paint tone and patina.” Photo courtesy of Guyette and Schmidt.

As to value, the July 2009 Guyette and Schmidt auction had only two decoys by H.V. Shourds for sale, a redhead drake and a black-bellied plover. (Shourds’ grandson is also named H.V. Shourds, but I am not discussing contemporary carvers at this time). The redhead drake, with some minor condition issues, realized $900 ay auction. To illustrate the importance of condition, in 2007 a redhead drake described as exceptional realized $24,500. The black-bellied plover, also with condition issues, in July realized $900. Last year in April, a Shourds black-bellied plover in excellent condition realized $3,850.

Another trend that is very apparent is that there are fewer H.V. Shourds decoys coming up for auction. For example, in April 2001 there were nine decoys in the auction, in contrast to the two in July 2009.

There are other highly collectable decoy carvers from New Jersey, including Jesse Birdsall, H.M. Shourds, Nathan Rowley Horner, Lloyd Parker, and many others. New Jersey decoys are so attractive, with simple lines and stylized paint patterns, they make a classic addition to any collection or decorating scheme.

Laura Collum is a Worthologist who specializes in decoys, nautical and scientific instruments.

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Decoys can be displayed anywhere in your home. On shelves, on top of highboys or ceiling beams, swimming on the floor, mounted on the wall, they look wonderful anywhere. Do think about how much potential wear they will receive in any of these places. High on shelves and beams, they will only need to be dusted every once in a while. If you choose to have a decoy on the floor, make sure it is out of traffic patterns. Some people have bought decoys from me to use as doorstops. For this use, I suggest an inexpensive, slightly worn out decoy because it will receive a lot of wear. Another customer mounted his decoys on the wall with screws into the bottom of the decoy. This can affect the value of a decoy, more so the higher the quality of the decoy. If you wish to showcase your decoys on the wall, a good way to do it is to use clear acrylic L brackets that the decoys can sit on without having to mar the surface with screws etc.

These decoys are mounted on the wall using hand forged iron L brackets. The decoy on the left is a Mitchell Black Duck and the black and white decoy is an Eider from Maine. Also on the cypress board and batten wall is a Chelsea clock and barometer with a pewter collection on the shelf above.

For a glimpse at a large collection, look at the pictures in the front and back of the book “Decoys of the Atlantic Flyway,” by G.R. Starr. The photos show how Dr. Starr used his pool house to display his decoys. I wonder if the pool house was built for the decoys or for people.

I enjoy using decoys in my holiday decorating. A goose on a side table surrounded by squash, pumpkins, gourds, and corn is great at Thanksgiving. And big holiday bows on the decoys for Christmas is a lot of fun.

A big bow on the goose is very festive for Christmas. This goose is a Madison Mitchell Canada Goose on top of an Alabama made 1840’s secretary.

Decoys are very low maintenance. When dusting your decoys, use a soft cloth or clean artist brush. If your decoy has cracked or raised paint be very careful not to lift the paint off. In the past, decoys were waxed or coated with linseed oil by collectors to conserve them. That is now considered a no-no. The desired finish on a decoy is original dry finish so dusting is enough.

If you have a decoy that is fairly valuable and it has condition issues, you can have it professionally restored. Some condition problems include lifting and flaking paint, or a chipped or broken bill or tail. Professional restorers can be found online and in ads in magazines such as Decoy Magazine. Word of mouth is another important way to find a restorer. Once you have found someone, get references and talk to others the restorer has worked for. Talk to the restorer and make sure you are on the same page with what needs to be done and when to stop; don’t over do it. Take a look at before and after pictures of the type of work you want done to your decoy and use this as a starting point for discussion. Ask yourself, “Does this work recreate the style of the decoy as it should?” or “Will the person be able to do the same in recreating the style of your decoy?” Then if you are satisfied up to this point, get a quote and an estimate of how long the work will take. A good restoration will enhance the value of your decoy.

Decoys can be a lovely addition to your home either singly or by the hundreds. They are easy to decorate with and easy to care for. Decoys look good in any room in the house and very distinguished at the office. With all this going for them they make a terrific antique to collect. Have fun.

Many decoys “swimming” on a light bar in a paneled living room make an effective display. The light bar uses fluorescent bulbs that burn cool and the lights are not on long so the decoys are not affected by undue heat. Decoys include a New Jersey Brandt, Maryland Canvasback, H.V. Shourds female Scaup, and a pair of modern Buffleheads by Charles Crookes. Engravings by Wilson hang on the wall below.

Laura Collum is a Worthologist who specializes in decoys, nautical and scientific instruments.

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From Auction Central News:
Seattle buyer returns 1919 car to France

The Seattle man who purchased a 1919 Turcat-Mery roadster in France for almost $1 million has decided to return the car to its native country after the French government claimed it as a national monument. Charles Morse will ship the car back to France, hoping to find a buyer an antique-car show in Paris. The car was originally built for a descendant of Louis XVI, and as an original part of the Randan royal estate, is considered a French national monument.

From Bloomberg:
Koons Snubbed for Cheaper Art in London as Bargains Sought

In what was expected to be the highlight of Phillips de Pury’s London sale, Jeff Koons’ glass-vitrine sculpture failed to receive a single bid from buyers. Koons’ work was estimated to bring in at least $2.6 million at the sale, which sold two-thirds of the lots for a total of £4.2 million ($6 million). The Phillips de Pury sale is yet another indication that the contemporary-art market is far from healthy.

From ARTINFO:
Lincoln Reelection Speech Sets Auction Record

The handwritten text of Abraham Lincoln’s re-election speech sold at Christie’s in New York for $3,442,500, a new record at auction for an American historical document. Lincoln delivered the speech two days after his re-election to the presidency at the White House in 1864. The document’s previous owner was the Southworth Library Association, which had owned it since 1926. It was part of a sale that brought in a total of $5,565,063.

From The New York Times:
Glamour Girls for the Middle Class

Through April 7, the Center for Jewish History’s Leo Baeck Institute is hosting an exhibit of Goldscheider ceramics. The popular, kitschy collectibles were made in Vienna from 1885–1938 and are from the collection of Kathryn Hausman, who serves as president of the Art Deco Society of New York. Goldscheider figures were splashes of glamour that decorated middle-class homes. More than 9,000 different models were made, ranging from the Hollywood starlets of the 1920s to North Africans in native costumes.

From BBC News:
German court orders poster return

A Florida man whose German father’s collection of vintage posters was seized by the Nazis during World War II has won the court decision over the ownership of the posters. The 4,000 posters, currently in the German Historical Museum, will be returned to Peter Sachs. It’s only a piece of the 12,500 posters that made up his father’s collection, but Sachs is hopeful that the German court decision will help bring the rest of the collection together. The entire collection is thought to be worth about £4 million ($5.7 million) and includes a 1932 “Die Blond Venus” movie poster, featuring Marlene Dietrich, which was used at court to argue Sachs’s case.

From Bloomberg:
Hirst Opens Second Shop, Defies Slump With £3.50 Keychains

British artist Damien Hirst has no doubt been affected by the contemporary-art market slump and has decided to do something about it. Hirst recently opened a new shop, Other Criteria, in London’s Marylebone district, selling smaller, affordable items for as little as £3.50 ($5). The cheapest of Hirst’s wares are the £3.50 Hirst-designed key chains, limited-edition prints, books and sculptures.

From WTHR-TV (Indianapolis):
Fate of antiques at children’s home debated

An Indianapolis children’s home that started as an orphanage for children of Civil War veterans is may close its doors, and with that comes the question of what to do with the home’s vast collection of antiques. Items amassed at the home since its opening in the 1800s include old clothing, bathing suits, a box of diapers from the early 1900s, original artwork, antique fireplaces, handmade clocks and furniture, and stained-glass windows. For now, the antiques will stay put thanks to a lawsuit filed in hopes of keeping the items in place.

From The (Colorado Springs) Gazette:
Antiques preserve experience of world’s first skiers

Most collectors keep their antiques in their homes on shelves where the collectibles can be admired. A Carbondale, Colo., man who possesses one of the most extensive collections of vintage ski gear in the world, likes to use his antiques for their intended purpose: on the slopes. Richard Allen owns a ski shop in Carbondale and organized antique-ski races in Aspen, as well as renting out equipment from his extensive collection—boots, skis, hats, gloves, poles, posters, patches and pins, to name a few—for commercials and the like.

From BBC News:
Gandhi’s spectacles up for sale

Mahatma Gandhi’s iconic glasses, along with a pair of leather sandals and a pocket watch, will be auctioned in New York next month. The spectacles, which Gandhi once said gave him “the vision to free India” from British colonial rule, are valued at $42,000, partly because he had so few material possessions. The Zenith pocket watch, made in 1910, is expected to be the biggest sale at the auction.

From The Chicago Sun-Times:
Cars, collectibles worth millions saved from fire

A fire at an auto showroom in suburban Chicago went up in flames Monday night, but the business’ $500,000 Ford Mustang was saved from the blaze. Another Mustang—this one a 1964 car that was the first Mustang to ever come off the manufacturer’s assembly line and worth about $5 million—was also saved, along with multiple signed rock ’n’ roll records from Elvis, the Beatles, Buddy Holly and others. The fire department that responded to the call reported that the blaze started in a 1968 Oldsmobile in the showroom. The Oldsmobile was worth $75,000.

From Luxist:
Watch Owned by Kennedy and Onassis Up at Auction

A 14K gold watch that belonged to both John F. Kennedy and Aristotle Onassis is scheduled to be up for auction at Antiquorum in March. Estimated to bring in bids up to $200,000, the watch has 57 gemstones on it and has two inscriptions. Kennedy’s personal secretary found the watch in his desk after he was assassinated and gave the timepiece to Jackie Kennedy. She later gifted the watch to Aristotle Onassis.

From The Art Newspaper:
Design forgery ring uncovered in France

Double-check your collection if it contains pieces by Jean Prouvé, Charlotte Perriand, Alexandre Noll and Pierre Chareau. French police have busted a counterfeiting scheme that reproduced objects by these famous 20-century designers. The artist behind the fake pieces died several years ago, but members of his family, in addition to other associates, were arrested on charges of counterfeiting, receiving counterfeit goods and fraud.

From The New York Times:
Artist Sues The A.P. Over Obama Image

Shepard Fairey has had quite a week so far. After being arrested in Boston—on his way to a retrospective in his honor at the Institute of Contemporary Art—for illegally papering the city with posters of his artwork, Fairey, in a pre-emptive strike against the Associated Press, has filed a lawsuit asking to be protected from a claim of copyright infringement. Fairey’s now-iconic poster of President Obama is based on an AP photograph of the then-candidate. Fairey’s lawyers believe he falls under the fair-use exemptions of copyright law. The AP has not taken legal action to date but contacted Fairey’s studio last month asking him to pay for the use of the image.

From The Associated Press:
Rare trove of Hebrew books displayed in NYC

The Valmadonna Trust Library, estimated to be worth $40 million, went on display at Sotheby’s in New York this week. The 11,000 works are thought to be the greatest collection of privately owned Judaica. Among the rare Hebrew books and manuscripts on display are a 16th-century Hebrew bible once used at Westminster Abbey, a 10th- or 11th-century Franco-German Hebrew bible and an almost-perfect complete edition of the Babylonian Talmud, printed in 1519-1523. The collection is the life work of London collector Jack Lunzer, who wanted it to end up eventually at the Library of Congress. Per his request, Sotheby’s will sell the collection as a whole to either a private collector or public institution.

From The New York Times:
Rare N.Y. Photo to Be Offered by Sotheby’s

A rare photograph of New York City, dated 1849, will be up for sale at Sotheby’s next month. The auction house claims that the daguerreotype is the oldest photograph found of the city, a landscape of what is now Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Because antique daguerreotypes of the New York City are quite rare, experts at Sotheby’s don’t have an estimate of how much the photograph will sell for at auction.

From Auction Central News:
Santonio Holmes’ Super Bowl gloves in charity auction

Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver and Super Bowl star Santonio Holmes has donated his Reebok-made gloves to an auction to raise money for the Sickle Cell Disease Association of America Inc. The gloves, worn by Holmes when he made the touchdown catch to seal the Steelers’ victory over the Arizona Cardinals, have a current high bid of $15,200 on the Reebok Web site that is running the auction through Thursday. Holmes’ son suffers from sickle cell disease.

From BBC News:
Classic Bugatti makes 3.4m euros

After being discovered by its late owner’s children in a musty garage in England, a classic Bugatti automobile sold for 3.4 million euros ($4.43 million) at a Bonhams auction in Paris. The 1937 Type 57S Atalante has not been driven in more than 50 years and is considered to be one of the most coveted cars among automobile collectors.

By Elizabeth Hendley, a WorthPoint writer based in Seattle

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

The simple truth is people love the All-Star game. In fact, they come from all around the country to watch it. I remember just a few short years ago when it came through my hometown of Houston. The streets were crowded, and there were celebrity sightings in every restaurant and club downtown. You would have thought the Super Bowl was in town, not an exhibition game.

2009 Starting Lineups

Every year, the starting lineups are chosen by fan voting. The players with the most fan votes at each position start the game. What follows is a list of the starting lineups and my favorite collectibles for the 2009 NBA All-Star Game.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Yao Ming—Due to his large fan base in China, you can always expect Yao Ming to be voted the starting center in the West. But don’t interpret that as Yao not deserving to be there. The truth is Yao Ming is the most dominant center in the West right now, and if he can find a way to stay healthy, he could have a Hall of Fame-worthy career. Now is the time to buy Yao collectibles because the more All-Star nods he gets, the more valuable his collectibles will be. You can still find autographed Yao Ming jerseys for just a few hundred bucks.

Amare Stoudemire—The 2009 All-Star game will mark Stoudemire’s fourth appearance in the midseason exhibition. Ever since being named Rookie of the Year in 2003, Stoudemire has been improving steadily. Stoudemire collectibles are actually still moderately priced, meaning now could be a great time to invest in some of his pieces.

Tim Duncan—Mr. Fundamental. His game isn’t pretty, and he can be pretty boring to watch, but the bottom line is Tim Duncan produces year in and year out. He’s quietly won one MVP award, three NBA Finals MVPs and even an All-Star Game MVP. If you look hard enough, you can find Duncan memorabilia at reasonable prices. It’s not too late to invest as there’s little doubt Duncan will be a Hall of Fame inductee after he retires.

Kobe Bryant—What can I say about Kobe that hasn’t been said before? Love him or hate him, Kobe has been the best player in the league for the past several years. If you haven’t invested in his collectibles by now, you better have some deep pockets if you want any. Kobe’s collectibles are always in high demand.

Chris Paul—When I think about the future of the NBA, Chris Paul immediately comes to mind. Heck, forget the future, his time is already here. The Hornets point guard is just 23 years old, and this will be his first All-Star Game start. In his short time in the league, Paul has earned a Rookie of the Year award, first team All-NBA and All-NBA Defensive team. His collectibles are already rising in value (signed jerseys go for $700), but they’ll only get more expensive as this youngster continues to light the league on fire. Get his memorabilia while you can still afford them.

EASTERN CONFERENCE

Dwight Howard—Perhaps Dwight Howard’s most notable moment came during All-Star weekend last year. His insane Superman dunk during the Slam Dunk Contest was in every highlight reel imaginable. Like Paul, Dwight Howard is just 23 years old, and he is the future of this game. His collectibles are as yet very reasonably priced (autographed jerseys sell for around $400), so you can still invest in this rising star.

Kevin Garnett—I don’t have to tell you that Kevin Garnett is good. If you’ve watched basketball at all over the past decade, you know KG is an absolute beast. And now that he has an NBA championship on his résumé, there’s little doubt about his greatness. Since he’s already established himself as an elite player over the course of several years, Garnett’s collectibles are fairly expensive. However, you should consider that the chances are good that he will add at least one more NBA Championship to his stellar career, and he’s a likely Hall of Famer.

LeBron James—Remember what I said about Kobe earlier? The same goes for James. He’s great, and his collectibles cost a fortune.

Allen Iverson—Despite the controversy that seems to follow him—are we talking about practice?—Iverson has always been a fan favorite. This will mark his 10th appearance in the All-Star game. In fact, Iverson already has two All-Star MVPs under his belt. Because of his popularity with the fans, Iverson’s collectibles are always in high demand. That’s why I think it’s not a good investment move to purchase his memorabilia. Frankly, he’s on the downside of his career, and I feel his collectibles are a bit overpriced.

Dwyane Wade—Because of his injuries last season, a lot of people forget that Dwyane Wade was an NBA Finals MVP just a few short years ago. Even though his collectibles are fairly expensive, now could be a good time to invest. Wade is coming off an injury, and he’s on a team that doesn’t have a real shot at winning a championship anytime soon. This could be a nice recipe for getting Wade’s collectibles at a bargain price.

Are you going to watch the All-Star game? Tell us about your favorite players and collectibles in the replies.

Eric Brantner is a sports fan and freelance writer living in Houston.

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

An Ephrata, Pa., auction of Amish diaries brought in about $3,000—mostly from Amish bidders. The diaries aren’t exactly what most of us think of. Instead of juicy details about our high-school crushes, the writers of these notebooks recorded chores, recipes and other facets of daily Amish life, often completely devoid of any hint of emotion. Ranging from the 1850s to several written as recently as the 1990s, the diaries are an interesting peek into the largely unknown—to outsiders, that is—world in which the Amish live. Keeping meticulous records is a fairly typical practice in Amish communities.

From the Lake Oswego (Ore.) Review:
Antique barber pole theft brings out the vigilante in Lake Oswego barber

Lake Oswego, Ore., barber Tyler Atkinson is on the hunt for his stolen antique barber pole with the help of his community. The Marvy barber pole has been a fixture outside the shop for more than 50 years, and Atkinson estimates that purchasing and installing a similar pole would cost upward of $2,000. Adding a twist to the story, in recent years, several antique barber poles in the Portland area have been stolen. None have been recovered.

From BBC News:
‘Rediscovered’ art fetches £4.4m

At its first appearance at auction, Lucio Fontana’s 1961 painting, “Concetto Spaziale,” sold at Sotheby’s contemporary-art sale in London for £4.4 million ($6.5 million). The abstract white-and-gold work ended the sale with the largest price tag, even though it didn’t reach its £5 million low estimate. “Concetto Spaziale” had not been seen in public for more than 40 years. Other works at the sale were a Jeff Koons sculpture and a Gerhard Richter oil on canvas.

From Bloomberg:
Brandeis ‘Screwed Up’ in Handling Art Museum’s Fate

According to Brandeis University President Jehuda Reinharz, the university’s decision to close its Rose Art Museum and liquidate the museum’s assets was mishandled. After an outcry from university board of trustees and the public, Reinharz says the museum’s building will remain open, but no final decision has been made about whether the art will be sold. Originally, the plan was to sell off the museum’s collection for fundraising purposes, as the university’s endowment has decreased in the current economic climate. Insiders feel certain that this plan will be carried out to some degree.

From BBC News:
Monet painting auctioned for £11m

A Monet painting depicting his wife, Camille, reclining in a field of flowers sold for £11,241,250 ($16.4 million) at Christie’s in London. Though the sale was a triumph in the midst of the art-market recession, it failed to reach its expected price tag of £15 million ($22 million). “Dans la Prairie” was part of the auction house’s Impressionist and Modern art sale, which also included a Renoir, a Matisse and another Monet. All three failed to reach their reserve price.

From BBC News:
‘Lovejoy’ find sells for £8,800

A 15-inch Chinese scepter that was originally purchased for £300 ($441) was sold for £8,800 ($12,864) at auction in Dorset, England. The 18th-century piece is believe to bring good luck to its owner and is thought to have been originally made for Emperor Quinlong. For those non-British collectors and readers, “Lovejoy” refers to a BBC television show about an antiques dealer of the same name. Lovejoy had a knack for discovering good bargains.

From Bloomberg:
Japanese Emperor’s Chinese Box May Sell for More Than $5 million

A gift from China’s Tang dynasty to a Japanese emperor is expected to sell for at least $5 million when the 8th-century vanity box is auctioned at Sotheby’s in Hong Kong. The tortoiseshell box with mother-of-pearl and amber inlay was given to Emperor Shomu in the 700s. Its high value is due to its rarity, according to Sotheby’s.

From BBC News:
Dancer fetches £13.3m at auction

Edward Degas’ “The Little Dancer” set a record for the artist when it sold at Sotheby’s for £13.3 million ($19.2 million) during the auction house’s Impressionist and Modern art sale. The bronze statue was originally made from wax in 1879–81 and went for £1 million more than the previous record for a Degas statue. With this sale, Sotheby’s cleared the bar for the first major test of the art market this year. Sales totaled £32.5 million ($46.8 million).

From BBC News:
Prison for Rothschild book thief

A man who stole hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of rare books from the well-known Rothschild family has been sentenced to jail time. David Slade, an antiques-book dealer, will spend 28 months in jail after the theft of books from the Rothschild private library. Slade was hired to catalog the book collection by Sir Evelyn de Rothschild. Christie’s auction house estimates the value of the stolen tomes totals at least £230,000 ($332,000).

From Playthings.com
Mattel to preview ‘Ghostbusters’ collectibles

Fans and collectors of all things Ghostbusters will be excited to hear that Mattel is producing a line of collectible toys to coordinate with the 25th anniversary of the film’s release. The 12-inch figures will be available on the company’s Web site starting in June, but attendees at New York’s Comic Con and Mattel’s New York Toy Fair Collector Preview Night will get a sneak peek of several of the toys. Mattel will also sell a few 6-inch Ghostbusters figures, as well.

From the New York Times:
Treasure Hunters Say They’ve Found a 1744 Shipwreck

The wreckage of a ship found last year in the English Channel has been confirmed as British warship H.M.S. Victory, according to Odyssey Marine Exploration researchers. In a severe 1744 storm, the ship sunk with 900 men on board, as well as a speculated four tons of gold coins—worth an estimated $1 billion.

The discovery team verified the ship’s identity by examining 41 of its cannons that were visible through the water. In its time, the H.M.S. Victory was one of the most feared vessels that sailed, complete with 110 bronze cannons. The Odyssey group came across the shipwreck last April. After 20 years exploring the English Channel, the group finally hit the mother lode.

From Auction Central News:
Lost 1793 Trumball painting discovered in England

A mislabeled painting bought for $280 turned out to be worth almost 80 times more than its purchase price. The miniature painting, which experts now know was painted by Colonial-era artist John Trumball, is valued at $22,000. A researcher for the London art dealer who purchased the painting thinks that the inscription on the back of the painting was mistakenly read as “Humbert” instead of Trumball. Trumball, a Connecticut native whose works hang in the U.S. Capitol, painted the portrait of Philadelphia lawyer William West in 1793.

From Art Info:
California Biennial Sculpture Mistaken for Trash

Jedediah Caesar’s sculpture, “Gleaners Stone,” is back in place as part of this year’s California biennial after a Culver City resident supposedly mistook the artwork for debris and contacted local officials to remove it. Caesar’s cast-resin work is known for its use of found objects and trash, and was installed on a street corner—part of an off-site project for the biennial.

From BBC News:
Turner landscape sells for £9.1m

Despite gloomy times for the art market, JMW Turner’s “The Temple of Jupiter Panellenius” sold for £9.1 million ($12.9 million) at Sotheby’s in New York last week. The oil painting is the second-highest price paid for a Turner work and has been in a private collection for the past 25 years. One of only three Turner paintings depicting scenes from ancient Greece, the landscape features dancing figures and a backdrop of a classical temple.

From The Winchester (Va.) Star:
Citizens Petition for ‘Jake’

Fifty residents of Winchester, Va., have signed a petition to keep “Old Jake” close to home. A town fixture, the 6-foot-tall copper weather vane has sat atop Rouss Fire Co. for 137 years, and Winchester citizens want him to remain there. Jake failed to sell at Sotheby’s last month. Presale estimates were between $3 million and $5 million, but the highest bid was only $2.1 million—short of the minimum purchase price. While Rouss Fire Co. is still working with Sotheby’s to find a buyer, local residents wish the company would keep this piece of town history.

From The New York Times:
Hard Times Hit Auction Houses

Christie’s press officers are fending off rumors that François Pinault, the luxury-brands mogul who owns the international auction house, plans to sell the company. Amid the economic crisis, eyes have been on auction houses, especially after Sotheby’s downsized to the tune of 60 personnel layoffs and archrival Christie’s let go more than 100 staffers. Both auction houses claim to occupy the higher end of the art-market spectrum, but results from upcoming Impressionist, modern, postwar and contemporary art sales will do the talking.

From BBC News:
Funds Secured for Titian Painting

After an extended deadline, the National Gallery of Scotland and the National Gallery in London have finally raised enough money—£50 million (about $71 million) to be exact—to keep Titian’s “Diana and Acteon” in the hands and in front of the eyes of the British public. The painting’s owner, the Duke of Sutherland, announced plans to sell “Diana and Acteon” in 2007 to the highest bidder and gave a Dec. 31, 2008, deadline to raise the necessary funds to keep the painting, which had been on public display for more than 200 years.

From Forbes:
Bowl-Related Business Less Than Super

Leading up to kickoff of Super Bowl XLIII, purveyors of game memorabilia were seeing lackluster interest in their wares. With game attendance projected to be down at least 1 percent compared to last year, it’s not surprising that fans didn’t have much cash left over after flying into Tampa from Arizona and Pittsburgh. A pregame auction in the Hall of Fame room slashed prices, and still there were few takers.

By Elizabeth Hendley, a WorthPoint writer based in Seattle

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

As much as anything, this is a match-up between two quarterbacks. Remember, it was just a few weeks ago that Pittsburgh quarterback Ben Roethlisberger was knocked out of a game with a concussion. No one was sure how he’d perform when he came back for the playoffs. Many wrote the Steelers off, saying he wouldn’t be ready to lead them to the Super Bowl. And they were wrong.

On the other side of the coin, we have Kurt Warner. At 37, Warner is essentially an antique in a league of young men. Time and time again, so-called experts wrote Warner off saying the gunslinger was far past his prime. And they were wrong.

So, what does this mean for the world of sports collectibles? It means one of these quarterbacks is about to have his demand and value shoot through the roof. Let’s not forget that both Roethlisberger and Warner have each won a Super Bowl. So, at the end of Super Bowl night, there will be a quarterback with two rings and who is several steps closer to being in the Hall of Fame.

Ben Roethlisberger Collectibles

If you’re the type of person who likes to get the collectibles before everyone else, you might want to go out on a limb and get some Roethlisberger pieces. Even if he doesn’t win this Super Bowl, he’s still young (26), and he has a great chance of being in this position a few more times in his career.

• Autographed Jersey—Autographed jerseys are always popular collectibles. They tend to hold their value well, and they’re great pieces to display on your wall. Right now, a Ben Roethlisberger autographed jersey goes for about $500-$600. Rest assured, if he leads his team to another Super Bowl, that price will shoot up rather quickly.

• Super Bowl Champs Helmet—Another popular Roethlisberger collectible is the signed Super Bowl Champs helmet. This is a full-size helmet with the Steelers logo on one side and Super Bowl XL Champions on the other. It sells for around $700 currently. Again, another Super Bowl win could change that.

• Autographed Football—This is a fairly common collectible. People like signed footballs because they’re easy to display and they’re usually less expensive than helmets and jerseys. Right now, you can find Big Ben-signed footballs for just more than $400.

Kurt Warner Collectibles

If Kurt Warner wins the Super Bowl, he’ll be the first starting quarterback to win two Super Bowls on two different teams. That’s the kind of thing that could get him in the Hall of Fame. As it stands now, the Cardinals are 6 ½-point underdogs. But this isn’t the first time they’ve been the underdog. In fact, it seems to be a role Kurt Warner enjoys.

• Autographed Football—Due to Warner’s performances over recent years, the value of his collectibles dropped. People assumed his best days were behind him. That’s why it’s a good time to pick up his pieces. For example, an autographed Kurt Warner football sells for well less than $300.

• Signed Super Bowl Photo—Can you believe it’s been nearly 10 years since Kurt Warner’s Super Bowl win in St. Louis? This signed photo captures the quarterback hoisting the trophy after the Rams beat the Tennessee Titans. You can find it in various sports-memorabilia shops for around $150.

The bottom line is this—Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks are always a hot commodity. Just the title of “Super Bowl winning” can make a quarterback an instant legend. If you’re thinking of buying some Super Bowl collectibles, you can’t go wrong with either of these great quarterbacks.

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Move over Christmas. You, too, Thanksgiving. There’s a new holiday that brings families and friends closer together than all the rest. Sure, you won’t find this holiday mentioned on your calendar, and this holiday won’t cause Wal-Mart to close its doors for the day. But rest assured, it’s a holiday, nonetheless, and a big one at that.

Have you guessed what I’m talking about? It’s the Super Bowl, of course. Since its inception in 1967, the Super Bowl has been growing steadily each year into the international media juggernaut we see today. Last year’s Super Bowl drew around 97.5 million television viewers. All signs point to that number eclipsing the 100-million mark this year. Those are some serious numbers for a single sporting event.

But the Super Bowl isn’t just for hard-core football fans. In fact, about one out of every 12 people watches the game just for the commercials. Companies spend millions of dollars fighting for a 30-second TV spot to pitch their product. Hey, there are usually more articles after the Super Bowl analyzing the commercials than discussing the actual game.

Here’s another neat fact. The day after the Super Bowl, 5-10 percent of the work force calls in sick. Now, that’s a holiday.

Super Bowl Collectibles

Of course, I’m rambling. After all, this is a story about collectibles. So, what does the Super Bowl do for the world of sports collectibles?

The Super Bowl has made quite a contribution to the sports-collectibles coffer. Let’s review just a few of the more interesting (i.e. valuable) collector’s items from the Super Bowl.

Vintage Super Bowl Memorabilia—When you’re talking about Super Bowl collectibles, you have to start at the beginning. The Green Bay Packers won the first two Super Bowls, so their collectibles from this period are highly desirable.

• Super Bowl II Ticket Stubs—If you’ve read any of my past blogs, you know I’m a sucker for old ticket stubs. Why? I’m not really sure. I think it has something to do with a ticket stub capturing a fan’s memory. I look back at my stubs, and they each remind me of a specific moment in my life where I viewed a piece of sports history in person.

A Super Bowl II ticket stub is pretty difficult to find, especially in good condition. However, if you can score one, you’d have a collectible worth well more than $1,000 in your hands.

• Super Bowl III Program—Super Bowl III is one of the most famous in history. It featured the New York Jets against the heavily favored Baltimore Colts. Before the game, Jets quarterback Joe Namath boldly guaranteed a victory against the league’s best team, the Colts. And the young quarterback lived up to his word. The Jets shocked the sports world, beating the Colts 16 to 7.

Mint condition programs from Super Bowl III can still be found in various online auctions and sports-memorabilia shops. You could probably pick up one for just a few hundred bucks. It’s a collectible that would surely grab some attention from your friends.

Super Bowl Winning Quarterbacks—No player receives as much attention at the Super Bowl as the quarterback. A win at the Super Bowl can catapult a quarterback from mediocrity to an instant elite player. Just ask Eli Manning. During his Super Bowl season, fans and teammates alike were questioning if he had what it took to be an NFL quarterback. Months later when he took the Giants to a Super Bowl win, he was named the Super Bowl MVP, effectively silencing all his detractors.

That’s why you can almost never go wrong getting an autographed piece from a Super Bowl-winning quarterback. Here are a couple of my favorite collectibles.

• Joe Montana Autographed 4 Rings Photo—Joe Montana is one of just two quarterbacks (the other being Terry Bradshaw) to win four Super Bowls. This autographed photo features the legendary quarterback showing off his Super Bowl jewelry. While it’s far from the most valuable Montana piece, it’s a favorite of mine because it shows how much of a winner he was on the field. You can pick this collectible up for around $250. Learn more about Montana collectibles by clicking here.

• Tom Brady Autographed Super Bowl Mini-Helmet—Tom Brady rose from virtual obscurity to lead the Patriots to three Super Bowl wins in four seasons. During these wins, Brady showed confidence and poise that’s rarely found in a quarterback. Some have called him the current generation’s Joe Montana. This autographed Super Bowl XXXIX mini-helmet sells for close to $600. Definitely worth picking up since Tom Brady could still end up snagging another ring or two before his career is over.

Which Super Bowl Collectibles Should You Buy?

All of this collectibles talk leads to one big question. “Which Super Bowl collectibles should I buy?” While there are no hard-and-fast rules regarding this, here are some of my guidelines.

1. Quarterbacks Rule—Like I said above, you can’t go wrong buying collectibles of Super Bowl-winning quarterbacks. Here’s a good list of all the Super Bowl-winning QBs.

2. Look for Team-Signed Pieces—Team-signed Super Bowl memorabilia make for great collectibles because they reinforce the idea that it takes a whole team to win. In this era of “look at me” players, team-signed pieces are a welcome alternative. Of course, they can be fairly pricey, so be ready to spend a nice chunk of change.

3. Shop with Your Heart—Most importantly, buy what you like. Collecting is supposed to be a fun experience. As cheesy as it sounds, just follow your heart, and you’ll end up with a collection you truly love.

So, go Phoenix. Go Pittsburgh. Or forget that the team you really love didn’t make it to Tampa, and have fun on the Super Bowl Sunday holiday.

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Throughout the NFL’s illustrious history, fans have witnessed great coaches of every style. From hard-nosed, in-your-face variety to subdued geniuses, many of the greatest teams of all time have a great commander in chief on the sideline.

While collectibles from head coaches tend to be less valuable than player memorabilia, they’re still important pieces that can enhance any collection.

Here are a few collectibles from some of the greatest NFL coaches.

Autographed Vince Lombardi Speech Collage

When the subject of great coaches comes up, the name Vince Lombardi is always toward the top of the list. His tenure with the Green Bay Packers is one of the most successful coaching achievements of all time. He won championships with the Packers in 1961, 1962, 1965, 1966, and 1967. In short, he created a football dynasty.

This unique collectible is a signed collage of his two most famous speeches. Lombardi was known for his motivational speeches. Copies of them hang in offices of top corporate executives. In addition to copies of his speeches, this collectible has a signed personal check and a photo of the coach. It’s valued at well more than $2,000.

Don Shula Signed Orange Bowl Seat

Don Shula led the Miami Dolphins through the team’s most successful years. The pinnacle of his success came in 1972 when he coached the Dolphins to the NFL’s only full perfect season in history. He will forever be in the history books for this accomplishment.

The Dolphins experienced much of their success in the confines of the Orange Bowl. This collectible features the autograph of Don Shula on a seat from the Orange Bowl. It’s a stadium collectible that would stand out in almost any collection. Surprisingly, it’s quite affordable at $250.

Bill Walsh Autographed Football

During the 1980s, Bill Walsh popularized the West Coast offense. It was an exciting style of play that captured the attention of football fans across the nation. His record with the San Francisco 49ers was 102-63-1. During this time, he won three Super Bowl rings.

This Walsh collectible is an autographed football featuring the legendary 49ers coach. Collectors should store this in a glass case in a dark, cool area. Most Walsh footballs sell for less than $300.

Eric Brantner is a baseball fan and freelance writer living in Houston.

WorthPoint—Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles

Before you rush out and start buying, you’ll also want to know you are not wasting your money. That means you should learn about decoys (or whatever you are interested in); where they come from, who made them, and what they are going for. This is true for people planning to spend thousands per decoy or merely hundreds.

Some people collect decoys by any maker from any part of the country. Some people collect from only one area of the country or one maker. Some people collect only the one species of duck the decoys represent; some only factory decoys. The combinations and permutations are endless.

One thing you should do is to spend the most you can reasonably afford on the decoys you like. Also, you can always “trade up” when you see a better decoy, so don’t pass up a decoy you may not see again soon.

As of this writing, the highest price paid for a single decoy is $1.13 million in 2007 for a decoy made by Elmer Crowell. Other decoy makers who can command six-figure prices include Joe Lincoln, Lee Dudley, and John Blair among others. Other big names that bring big bucks are the Ward brothers, Ira Hudson, George Warin, Charles Perdew, and Mason Factory.

This Pintail drake decoy by an unknown maker realized $125,000.00 at Guyette and Schmidt auction this November. (Photo courtesy of Guyette and Schmidt)

Decoys by unknown makers have also pulled in high prices; one recent Pintail drake from Kankakee, Ill. realized $125,000.00 at auction this November. But there are many beautiful and collectible decoys out there for very reasonable prices, including some made by the above names. Patronize well-known, honest dealers, (yes there are honest antique dealers out there!) who will give a guarantee, especially if you are spending a lot of money.

Condition is something that can affect the price a great deal. For example, in a recent auction, two Stevens’ goldeneye drakes came up for sale; one sold for $500 the other for $1,300. Condition makes the difference. The first had been repainted early on but the second has most of its original paint. Both have expected amounts of wear. Another example is the range of prices of four Crowell black ducks in the same auction. The prices were $1,000, $1,700, and $13,000 for a pair. Then consider, what makes one of his decoys go over a million dollars? There are truly exceptional, one-of-a-kind decoys out there and people with the money to pay for them.

So after all this, how do you determine what to spend on that decoy in the window? I price my decoys by a combination of ways. Twenty years experience helps, but I also check prices realized from reputable decoy auction houses. I look at prices of comparable decoys over the last few years. A one-off price—either low or high—does not indicate value. Also, they must be of similar condition, which is difficult to tell from pictures. Information, as you see from the above, is critical.

The most important reason to buy that decoy that caught your eye is you like and appreciate it, that it gives you pleasure to look at it and you want to take it home.

The main thing is to have fun!

Laura Collum is a Worthologist who specializes in decoys and amputation instruments and kits.

WorthPoint: Get the Most from Your Antiques and Collectibles

The quarterback is arguably the most important player on an NFL team. How many times have you seen a great QB leading a fourth-quarter drive to take his team to victory? It happens all the time, and the great ones know how to do it best.

While this article can’t cover every great QB to ever toss a pigskin, it will touch on a few I haven’t yet had a chance to honor.

Without further delay, here are some of my favorite collectibles from the game’s top field generals.

• John Elway Signed Pewter Helmet—When you mention great quarterbacks, John Elway simply has to be on the list. During his highlight-filled career with the Denver Broncos, Elway earned nine Pro Bowl selections, two Offensive Player of the Year awards, the NFL MVP, a Hall of Fame induction and two Super Bowl rings.  The truth is this short section isn’t enough to do Elway’s career justice. But true football fans know what he meant to the game. My favorite John Elway collectible is an autographed helmet made of 100-percent pewter. The helmet has the inscription “2004 Hall of Fame” and “Super Bowl XXXIII MVP.” Because of the pewter, this unique collectible weighs nearly 10 pounds! It’s valued at more than $2,000.

• Dan Marino Signed ’84 Jersey—During the same time that Elway was leading game-winning drives, Marino was terrorizing defenses with his passing abilities. He’s the only rookie quarterback to start the Pro Bowl. In his second season, he put together one of the greatest seasons ever, earning him the MVP. Marino was a regular at the Pro Bowl, and he holds more passing records than I have room to list. Despite never winning a Super Bowl, this Hall of Fame QB is undoubtedly one of the game’s all-time greats.  Signed uniforms are great collector’s pieces. These collectibles can easily be framed and displayed on a wall. This Dan Marino signed jersey is a 1984 model (the year he won the MVP) of the Dolphins home uniform. It’s a great collectible to remind fans of a historic NFL season in which the Dolphins went 14-3, advancing to the Super Bowl where they lost 38-16 to San Francisco ’49ers. The jersey’s value is just more than $1,000.

• Johnny Unitas/Peyton Manning Signed Helmet—Long before Manning was wearing the Colts uniform, Johnny Unitas was revolutionizing the game of football. During the ’50s and ’60s, Unitas was earning a reputation as the game’s greatest quarterback. He was selected to 10 Pro Bowls, won three MVPs and won a Super Bowl. And he led the Colts to victory over the New York Giants 23-17 in what has been called the Greatest Game Ever Played—the 1958 NFL Championship. He is a Hall of Fame quarterback that will never be forgotten.  I think the Johnny Unitas/Peyton Manning signed Colts helmet is a great collectible. It’s a piece that captures both the old and new era of the NFL through two of the game’s best QBs. This collectible can be found for around $2,500.

Eric Brantner is a baseball fan and freelance writer living in Houston.

Other stories by Eric Brantner:
Sports E-cards
Sports Collectibles Memories
Brett Favre collectibles
Mannings Spawn NFL Collectibles
Young NBA Stars: Collectors’ Slam Dunk
Verdict Puts Squeeze on O.J. Collectibles

WorthPoint—Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles

Even though this is a small set in number, being it is the one of the first issued in 1948 it does include many rookie cards of various Hall of Fame players such as Stan Musial, Yogi Berra, Phil Rizzuto, Warren Spahn, Ralph Kiner, Red Schoendienst and Bobby Thomson. As a first set issued in the post war era, unlike many other firsts in the hobby, this is not a very popular set among collectors. I think the popularity of the set is lacking only because of the short span of time the Bowman Company produced baseball cards, which went from 1948-1955 before Bowman was bought out by the Topps Company (Topps issued its first set in 1951). Collectors still have great interest in the main cards and top rookie cards in the set, but set collectors are far less on this set compared to others.

Stan Musial rookie card from the 1948 Bowman set, in excellent to near mint condition, have sold as high as $700.  A Musial card in mint condition can sell for thousands of dollars to the right collector.

Cards from this set range in value. Cards in excellent to near mint condition that feature common players generally sell between $25 to $40 per card, but the top rookies in the same condition can bring as much as $700. A Stan Musial or Yogi Berra in excellent to near mint condition have sold as high as $700, while players like Warren Spahn, and Bob Feller generally bring about $300 to $400 in the same condition. Like all collectibles, if a Musial card is in mint condition, it can sell for thousands of dollars to the right collector.

This set, for the most, part depicts snapshots of players from the waist up or close-up type photos. And, as mentioned above, all are black & white. It seems the company selected what it felt were a couple top players from each team for this set, as there were at least 10 times the that number of players in professional baseball at that time. My thought is they wanted to experiment with the concept of issuing baseball cards in individual packs with bubble gum and see if there was a market for this with the kids of the time.

The 1948 Bowman cards were smaller than standard sized cards, measuring 2-1/16 inches x 2-1/2 inches in size.  The backs of the cards are printed in black ink on a gray stock and include the card number, player name, team position and a short biography.

Storing your treasured cards is always important to in keeping them in the best possible condition. The best storage is hard or semi-rigid holders that hold the card in place inside the holder and doesn’t easily break or bend if dropped or handled and does not contain any PVC. Even the very slightest nick or scratch on a card can significantly decrease its value so keep them in top condition so you can realize the best possible value for your collection.

As for this set, the level of difficulty in collecting the whole set is not very high. If it is a set that appeals to you, then collecting the whole set in at least mid-level grades is as very easily attainable goal, and in comparison to other sets from this era, is relatively inexpensive.

WorthPoint: Get the Most from Your Antiques and Collectibles

To begin, it’s important to define who is your average sports-memorabilia collector. I’m not talking about the people who bid hundreds of thousands of dollars on rare pieces. Of course, those really high-end collectors will continue to acquire expensive rare pieces despite how bad the economy gets.

I’m referring to the collector who visits his local sports-collectibles shop or who browses online auction sites regularly to find new pieces to round out his collection. Has this economy squeezed them out of the market?

Sports-collectibles spending taking a hit

Judging from the reports from various sports-collectibles shows and dealers around the country, for now, the outlook is bleak. The number of dealers attending collectibles conventions has declined significantly over the past year. The bottom line is many people are cutting back their spending, and sports collectibles isn’t a necessary expenditure for them.

Worthologist Howard Lau (owner of Houston Sports Connection) confirms this point saying, “Right now, people are viewing sports collectibles as something that’s not a necessity but rather a luxury.”

Rarity items are still stong

While the rarity pieces that attract wealthy buyers seem to always have their market, how are the more expensive mainstream pieces (signed jerseys, helmets, etc) holding up? It seems this is the segment of collectibles currently taking the biggest hit. Your average sports-memorabilia collector just can’t afford to drop $1,000 on a signed jersey from his favorite player. Instead, he’s opting for lower-priced pieces that fit his budget.

But making a living by selling low-priced items can be difficult for card-shop owners. That’s why many dealers are pinning their hopes on a holiday-spending surge to boost their bottom line before the end of the year. It’s too early to say how much money will be spent on sports collectibles this holiday season, but it’s clear that for some dealers, their fate lies in the success of holiday sales.

Lau is optimistic there will be a holiday push, saying he believes “people will buy last-minute sports-collectibles gifts for Christmas.”

How can dealers get through the crisis?

So, what can dealers do to weather this economic storm? I believe focusing on a specific niche could prove valuable for sports-collectibles shop owners. For instance, pieces that have held their values for a long time will always be desirable. Vintage autographs, rare cards and big-name pieces (Michael Jordan, Mickey Mantle, Ruth, etc.) are proven investments that are safe to buy because they’ll always be valuable.

The demand for these pieces will always be there. And in difficult economic times, collectors are likelier to buy proven collectibles than take a chance on new, unproven pieces that could plummet in value.

No one can predict where the world of sports collectibles will be in a year from now, but I think there is hope for the market. As long as dealers are willing to make adjustments to help the average collector, the hobby will weather this storm.

Eric Brantner is a baseball fan and freelance writer living in Houston.

WorthPoint—Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles

I have to admit, it took me awhile to decide whether I should write this article. Most people are sick of the name O.J. Simpson, and frankly, I don’t want to give the guy any more attention. However, since this is a sports-collectibles blog, it’s necessary to discuss the most recent developments in Simpson’s controversial life.

After the “Trial of the Century” in 1995, the country was divided on O.J. Simpson. Many people felt O.J. got away with murder, and as a result, no one would touch his once-popular collectibles with a 10-foot pole. Whether it was a rookie card or a signed football helmet, collectors had no interest in most things with the name O.J. Simpson on it.

However, through all the controversy, his rare pieces still remained valuable. While you might not be able to get much for his football cards, a rare piece like the suit he wore when acquitted for murder could fetch anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000, according to memorabilia experts. Other rare personal effects were still gaining high-price bids on eBay and other online shops.

These unique personal belongings were the types that Simpson was “trying to get back” during the now-infamous confrontation in the Las Vegas hotel room. The question today is this: In light of the recent prison sentence, will O.J.’s rare personal items lose all their worth?

O.J. Simpson pleads his case at the sentencing hearing after he was convicted of 12 felonies in connection with an armed robbery in a Las Vegas hotel. Simpson maintained he was trying to recover collectibles that were legally his. (Pool photo by Isaac Brekken)

In the mainstream world of sports collectibles, it appears this is the final nail in the coffin for Simpson memorabilia. Most shops stopped dealing his pieces years ago, but now virtually all interest in “The Juice” has vanished. Controversy might help some athletes gain popularity, but for Simpson, it has made him a nationally despised ex-athlete.

For the typical sports collector who buys cards and game-used items, O.J. cards will no longer be bought because of his impressive athleticism but rather because they are needed to complete a set. As the Washington Post puts it, “Simpson makes Michael Vick’s gear look upscale.”

But what about that small sect of collectors who were bidding on Simpson’s personal items before this most recent case? These collectors don’t care about his athletic achievements. Instead, they’re fascinated with the celebrity surrounding his off-field controversy. So, will they continue to scour the Internet for rare memorabilia of the incarcerated ex-star? Or will even this market dry up?

eBay sales vanish

Just one day after the O.J.’s sentencing, I checked eBay to see if there was any action on his collectibles. As expected, his normal sports collectibles were getting no bids. This isn’t anything new as true sports fans stopped collecting these pieces years ago. However, what I found interesting was that the rare pieces (i.e. original courtroom sketches of O.J., collectibles of O.J. and his attorney, Johnnie Cochran, from trial of the century) were also getting no bids.

So, has this niche market of ambulance-chasing collectors finally lost interest in Simpson? For now, the answer is unclear. I expect there will always be those few collectors caught up in the controversy of this once-revered athlete who continue to buy his rare, sometimes disturbing, memorabilia. But it seems that even this market is shrinking quickly.

Eric Brantner is a baseball fan and freelance writer living in Houston.

Other stories by Eric Brantner:

Chicago Cubs Collectibles

Antique Baseball Gloves

Red Sox Collectibles

Brett Favre Collectibles

Honus Wagner

Sports E-cards

Olympic Baseball Collectibles

Sports Collectibles Memories

Yankee Stadium Legacy Cards

Brett Favre collectibles

Sultan of Swat Collectibles

Mannings Spawn NFL Collectibles

At Least Cubbies Have 1908 Series

Rays Collectibles—Buy Now

Young NBA Stars: Collectors’ Slam Dunk

WorthPoint—Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles

Collecting Baseball Cards and the 1948 Leaf Set

By Ed Kushner

As a baseball card collector and likely a collector of all collectibles, the first of each item, set, issue is generally the most sought after items pertaining to a particular producer. In this case it was the first and last set produced by Leaf Gum. With an exception to a small set Leaf produced in 1960 that is often forgotten about, this is their first and last.

This set was the first color baseball cards of the post World War II era and consisted of 98 baseball players. The whole set consisted of 168 cards, but also included Football and Boxing athletes’ cards. This is probably one of the most difficult set of the post-war era to complete, mainly due to the fact that exactly one-half of the set, 49 cards, are considered to be “short print” cards (the term short print means those particular cards were produced in significantly less numbers then the other 49). There is no definitive ratio, but is estimated that the short print cards were produced 1 to 12 of the other 49 cards. That means there are only 8.5 percent production, in estimation, of one half the set in comparison to the other half, so collecting the easier to obtain 49 cards isn’t too much of a problem. It’s getting the second half of the set that becomes very challenging.

Being the first of its kind and that most are considered a 1948 issue by collectors, it is thought that many of the cards weren’t actually issued until 1949. So when referenced, one may think there were two sets produced, but either 1948 or 1949 is correct in describing these cards.

This set contains many significant cards of player’s first appearances, better known as rookie cards, including: Jackie Robinson; Stan Musial; Phil Rizzuto; and, by far the most popular 1948 Leaf card, Satchel Paige. In addition to such great rookie cards, the set also contained legends who were either at their peek years, near the end of their legacies, or retired, such as: Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Babe Ruth, and Honus Wagner.

The Values
The values of these cards, based on mid-range grades, such as the Jackie Robinson (pictured), range from average prices to highly priced. For example, a common card (non-short printed card) averages about $25-$40 for excellent-to-mint (ex-mt) condition, the Jackie Robinson shown is valued at $1,250 in the condition shown, and the highest-priced card being the Satchel Paige rookie card, which would sell for about $10,000 in ex-mt condition. The short-printed cards are very expensive, and common players sell for about $500 in ex-mt condition, while star player cards that were short-printed usually sell for anywhere from $2,000 to $10,000 per card. Overall, if you were to manage to put this set together in ex-mt condition, which is a 6 in the PSA (Professional Sports Authentication an independent sports card grading company) 1-to-10 grading scale, you could expect to spend about $50,000.

The unique thing about this set, unlike just about every other set produced, is that the card numbers range from 1-168 but there are only 98 baseball cards in the set, so the other sports players fill in the number gaps. You can have a baseball player whose card is number 117 and the next baseball card is number 120. The two cards in between could be a football card or boxing card, so unlike any other baseball set, this one had it’s sense of being unique even before collecting baseball cards was a form of an investment; when most kids bought the cards for the gum.

The concept of mixing sports cards into one set with hard-to-find cards did not seem to go over well with the public. My thought is that kids got so many duplicates and couldn’t get the other 49 cards they needed to complete the set they gave up on them since another company, Bowman was introduced the same year and all the cards were equally available.

A Very Challenging Set to Fill
This set is a very nice and colorful, and these cards are highly sought after by collectors today. Condition is always an issue with all cards when determining value, and these weren’t made on the best quality of cardboard, so finding them in top condition is very challenging. Of course once you are fortunate enough to find top-grade cards, keeping them in that condition is very important. The best way to store these cards are in non-pvc holders that don’t allow the card to move around and cannot be damaged easily. Being that these cards hold significant values, it is highly recommended that one who possesses high-grade examples of this issue have them professionally graded and sealed in one of the grading company’s holders. Of the major graders, I generally don’t like endorsing one over another, but my preference is with SCG (Sportscard Guaranty) or PSA, as those grading companies have shown their responsibility in correctly grading and authenticating cards over their years of service.

If you are collecting and interested in starting a collection from your favorite set, I always recommend reading up on that particular set and seek out reputable dealers what will assist you and work with you in your interest. The 1948 or 1949 Leaf set is a very nice set, but extremely tough to complete and there are many cards in this set in average condition will cost a pretty penny to obtain. So if you are on a restricted budget, this may be a very tough set to work on.
And even if you are not on a budget, this set is very challenging to complete; just finding some of the short prints are just impossible to find regardless, of cost, and if they appear at auctions you may find you need to pay five to 10 times their value to own them. I’m not trying to discourage people from collecting this set, but just be prepared for a long and costly battle if this is the set you choose to assemble.

Until the next article, happy baseball card collecting.

WorthPoint: Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles

With everything in the collectibles realm, you need to be informed. Collecting for investment purposes can be challenging and rewarding. You have to take educated risks on which young players will have great careers and the most valuable collectibles.

For those who love basketball, this list will help you identify the best young players to invest in. Of course, this is only my opinion, so don’t get mad at me if their career takes a turn for the worse and their collectibles drop in value.

1. LeBron James—Okay, so this is an obvious choice for starting this list, but you have to mention LeBron James when you talk about great young NBA players. He’s not just the best young player in the league, he just might be the best player period. The tricky part is finding collectibles of his at a low enough price to warrant investing in them.

2. Dwight Howard—Dwight Howard of the Orlando Magic really is Superman. This 22-year-old is undoubtedly the best young big man in the league. He does it all—scores, blocks shots, rebounds the ball and maintains a good field-goal percentage. Invest in this kid’s collectibles, and you won’t be sorry.

3. Kevin Durant—So he’s on a terrible team that just relocated to Oklahoma City. But after averaging more than 20 points per game at age 19, this youngster is poised to be great. I fully expect his next few seasons in the league will catapult him into the forefront of the game. Get his collectibles now.

4. Chris Paul—He’s just 23 years old, but many already view him as the best point guard in the league. I’ve seen him firsthand lighting up the Rockets down here in Houston when his team, the New Orleans Hornets, came to town. There’s no doubt about it—Chris Paul can flat out ball. He’s one of those players that teams develop their whole game plan around.

5. Brandon Roy—This shooting guard was the Rookie of the Year in 2007 and an All Star in 2008. Think he might be pretty good? You’re right. He averages about 20 points per game along with 5 assists each night. At just 24 years old, his collectibles make for a wise investment.

6. Deron Williams—It really pains me to put him on this list as the Jazz seem hellbent on crushing my hometown Houston Rockets every year in the playoffs, but the truth is Deron Williams is a great young point guard. He seems to fly under the radar and rarely gets the respect he deserves. From an investor’s standpoint, this is a good thing as you might be able to score some great deals on his collectibles.

7. Carmelo Anthony—Never forget, there was a huge debate as to whom would be better—Carmelo Anthony or LeBron James. While James has become the face of the NBA, Melo hasn’t exactly been doing too badly, either. Last season, he averaged 25.5 points, 7.4 rebounds and 3.5 assists per game. He’s gotten better each season, and he will be a solid player for years to come.

8. Chris Bosh—This 6-10 power forward has made a huge splash during his few seasons in the NBA. In fact, he was recently named the Eastern Conference Player of the Week for his great start this season. For the past several years, he’s averaged about 22 points and 10 rebounds per game. Not bad for a 24-year-old.

9. Carl Landry—I know what you’re thinking—who the heck is Carl Landry? While he hasn’t had the success of other players in this league, he’s my wild-card pick for a future NBA star. During limited playing time with the Houston Rockets, he’s impressed scouts throughout the NBA. He’s a dunking machine, and his jump shot has improved over the off-season. If you’re looking to take a bit of a risk with investing, buy up some Carl Landry collectibles.

10. Kevin Martin—For the past couple seasons, Kevin Martin has quietly been averaging more than 20 points per game in Sacramento. While he might not play the most exciting style of basketball, he hits shots when the team needs him. Expect to hear more about Kevin Martin over the next few years.

Eric Brantner is a sports fan and freelance writer living in Houston.

Other stories by Eric Brantner:

Chicago Cubs Collectibles

Antique Baseball Gloves

Red Sox Collectibles

Brett Favre Collectibles

Honus Wagner

Sports E-cards

Olympic Baseball Collectibles

Sports Collectibles Memories

Yankee Stadium Legacy Cards

Brett Favre collectibles

Sultan of Swat Collectibles

Mannings Spawn NFL Collectibles

At Least Cubbies Have 1908 Series

Rays Collectibles—Buy Now

WorthPoint—Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles

How Can You Tell If Decoys Are Real?

By Laura Collum

People who come in my shop look at all the decoys and often ask, “How can you tell if they are real?” Apart from the metaphysical question, what people mean by that is “are they old and were they really used as duck hunting decoys?”

There are several things to look at in dealing with decoys. But it is like dealing with any antique or collectible: First look at how they are made, and then look at the condition. In my shop, “antique” decoys were made from approximately 1890 to 1945. “New” decoys are those made after 1945.

Decoys were (and still are) used to bring wild ducks close enough to hunters to shoot. They were deployed in rivers, lakes, bays and even in fields of corn stubble. They were used in numbers depending how many the hunter could practically carry where he was going to hunt. Professional hunters used huge numbers and special boats as well. To keep them all from floating away, the decoys were joined together with rope or twine and weighted down with iron or lead weights at the ends of these so called “rigs.” So, when looking at how they are made, look for loops, nails or hooks that were used to tie them together. This would be underneath and toward the front or breast. They should also have a weight on the bottom and sometimes a keel with or without weight. If they don’t have these, do they have holes that tell of a hook, weight or keel in its past?

Decoys were made of many different woods and other materials as well. Cork and balsa were even used. Some in North Carolina were made from wood wire and canvas. But they will have hooks and weights or the indication of them. Decoys were constructed differently in different parts of the country, but that is another story.

“Antique” decoys were painted with oil-based paint; many times just house paint. Latex or rubber-based paint came along much later. They were painted in large blocks of color or painted finely with every feather delineated. It was up to the maker. So, take a look at the condition of the decoy. Does it show use? Was it hit with lead shot, banged up from being thrown about, chewed on by a Lab puppy? Is it in perfect condition? If it was ever shot over it will show some signs of wear. And if not shot over, it will still exhibit patina.

So, is it a real decoy? This information will help you decide. Also, talk to the dealer. Ask questions. Dealers love to talk about their stuff! Find books on the subject and read up. Look at the pictures as well; get to know the shapes, paint jobs, the gestalt of decoys. But most important if you are looking to collect, have fun!

Laura Collum is a WorthPoint Worthologist specializing in decoys, nautical and scientific instruments.

WorthPoint—Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles