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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WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Among the news items topping this week’s roundup of arts, antiques and collectibles news looks at the million-dollar take for the Richard Gere collection, a 1928 Brough Superior that has motorheads spinning their wheels and news The Teich Family Collection will be going up for auction, among other items . . .

The Hollywood Reporter
Richard Gere Auctions Guitar Collection to Tune of $1 Million

He’s not exactly Debbie Reynolds or the late Elizabeth Taylor, but Richard Gere is a draw at the auction house all the same. The 62-year-old Chicago star unloaded his 100-plus guitar and amplifier collection at Christie’s New York auction house Tuesday. The instruments fetched nearly $1 million.

Motorcycle USA
1928 Brough Superior on Auction Block

Bonhams are returning to the Yorkshire Event Centre in Harrogate on 16th November 2011 with another exceptional line up at their auction of Collectors’ Motor Cars, Motorcycles. Highlights include a 1928 Brough Superior SS100 motorcycle which is estimated to sell for £165,000-£185,000. This interesting early SS100 was re-commissioned for road use in the 1990s having previously been used for sprinting and other speed events by racing motorcyclist and Brough Superior Club President, Dick Knight.

Coin Week
Stack’s Bowers Galleries to Offer Part I of the Teich Family Collection

IRVINE, Calif. – Stack’s Bowers Galleries has announce that Part I of The Teich Family Collection will be crossing the block as part of our the Stack’s Bowers Galleries Official Auction of the Whitman Coin and Collectibles Baltimore Auction to be held Nov. 14-19, 2011, sure to be one of the great shows of the autumn season. The name of the Teich Family now joins the illustrious ranks of “name” collections, as Stack’s Bowers Galleries prepares the first in a series of major offerings from the Teich holdings. This old-time family collection has been in private vaults since the 1950s, and has already caused worldwide excitement in the selected previews Stack’s Bowers has hosted at several numismatic shows this year.

Irish Times
Chinese Dish Sells for more than 100 Times Estimated Value

A family in County Derry is celebrating after selling a Chinese porcelain Ming dish for €310,000 after they had initially had it valued at £1,000 sterling. The blue and white 15th-century dish, painted with images of a five-claw dragon, sparked a fierce bidding battle at an Adam’s country house collections sale at Slane Castle in Coounty Meath. In front of a packed saleroom, auctioneer Stuart Cole eventually brought the hammer down and said afterwards: “It will take a long time to wipe the grin from my face.”

NY 1 News
Infamous Assisted Suicide Machine to be Auctioned In Manhattan

Collectibles from the late, infamous euthanasia advocate Dr. Jack Kevorkian are heading to the auction block in Manhattan. Kevorkian’s assisted suicide machine is just one of more than 140 of his personal items to be put on sale at the New York Institute of Technology on Oct. 28. Also up for sale are several of his paintings, a bullet-proof vest and Kevorkian’s master lock from prison.

eCommerce Bytes
China & Dinnerware is No. 1 on TIAS.com Top-Selling Antiques & Collectibles List

The Internet Antique Shop (TIAS.com) released its list of the top 20 categories of antiques & collectibles that sold online in September of 2011. The list is based on the total number of items sold in each category of antiques & collectibles purchased online at stores hosted by TIAS.com in September of 2011. The top items on the list: China & Dinnerware.

The Daily Mail (U.K.)
Pensioner, 72, Commits Strong-Arm Robbery, Takes Coin Collection Worth £74,000

A pensioner was jailed for four years after staging a daring £74,000 robbery at an antiques shop and putting the owner in a headlock. John Gladwin, 72, tied shop owner David Allen up and raided safes at the Cambridge Coins and Jewellery shop in Biggleswade, Bedfordshire. Just days earlier Gladwin had gone into the coin and jewelry shop in a wheelchair case the place and planned to how to carry out the raid.

Associated Press
John Wayne auction in Los Angeles Fetches more than $5 million

LOS ANGELES – Organizers say a two-day auction of more than 700 costumes, scripts, awards and memorabilia from the estate of film star John Wayne brought in $5.4 million. The auction included items such as Wayne’s last driver’s license, a holster and gun belt from the film “El Dorado” and an eye patch from the 1969 movie, “True Grit.” Among the top lots in the auction was the green wool beret Wayne wore in “The Green Berets,” which went for $179,250, and a cowboy hat worn in “Big Jake” and “The Cowboys” that fetched $119,500. The items had been kept by Wayne’s family since his 1979 death from cancer.

The Daily Mail (U.K.)
And This Cherished Teapot from 1795 is Worth . . . Oh No, the Cat’s Smashed It!

As the longest-serving expert on “Antiques Roadshow,” David Battie is trusted by viewers to know how to care for valuable objects. But when it came to looking after a £1,000 Wedgwood teapot, the ceramics specialist on the BBC1 series had reckoned without his pet cat Leonard.

Made in 1795, the classic blue Wedgwood pot had taken pride of place on a shelf at David’s home in West Sussex. But just days before he filmed last Sunday’s edition of the show, Leonard, a one-year-old Bengal, sent the antique crashing to the ground, smashing the spout into three pieces.

FirstPost.com
Not Everything Jobs Touched, Turned into iGold

Talk about a glitch in the program: When pop culture heroes die, their cultural artifacts are supposed to soar in value. But in the 24 hours after Jobs passed away from pancreatic cancer last Wednesday, the news had yet to send prices on Apple regalia through the roof. Elsewhere on eBay, the bidding activity was so silent you could hear a hard drive chug from 50 feet away. No bids on an Apple III external floppy disc drive, “buy it now” priced to sell at $160. Likewise for an Apple III System PFS Report software package, looking pristine and offered for $90.

AutoBlog
World’s Oldest Running Car Fetches $4.6 Million at Auction

The world’s oldest running car, an 1884 De Dion Bouton Et Trapardoux Dos-A-Dos Steam Runabout, made history Oct. 8, fetching $4.62 million at RM Auctions’ Hershey, Pennsylvania event. Before a packed house, the 127-year-old ride quickly eclipsed its $500,000 starting bid. By the time the dust had settled, the gavel fell at $4.2 million. The final price included a 10-percent buyer’s premium. The crowd began applauding as soon as the car crept onto the stage and the enthusiasm didn’t wane until well after the sale.

Poughkeepsie Journal
Start Your Baseball-Themed Collection with Affordable Items

Every true baseball fan wants a little piece of his team. That’s why sports collectibles have always been very popular. If you’re fanatical about baseball, but can’t afford an autographed Babe Ruth ball or Mickey Mantle bat, try setting your sights slightly lower. There are many affordable items that will look great on your wall in a sports-themed room.

Huntingdon Post (U.K.)
Antiques Roadshow’s Cromwell Jug likely to be a Fake, Says Expert

The authenticity of a jug thought to be made from the hide of Oliver Cromwell’s favorite horse which featured on the “Antiques Roadshow” has been thrown into doubt. The jug, inscribed with the words Oliver Cromwell Lord Protector of England Scotland and Wales 1653, was hailed by expert James Foster as the most exciting find to happen on the BBC show for years. He valued the 2ft tall tankard, allegedly made from his horse Blackjack and owned by Dorset man Richard Hoare, at £30,000. But John Goldsmith, curator of the Cromwell Museum in Huntingdon, thinks the jug could be a fake, and the value a gross over-estimate.

Fox Business
Do You have to Pay Taxes on that Gold or Silver You Sold?

Dear Tax Talk: If I turn in old gold or silver, do I have to pay capital gains tax on the cash I receive? How much would need to be paid on $4,000? – Marion. Dear Marion: When you sell property that was used for personal purposes, you have to pay tax on the gain. But if there is a loss, it is considered personal and not deductible.

National Public Radio
In China’s Red-Hot Art Market, Fraud Abounds

As the global economy teeters, one market is still reaching stratospheric highs: Chinese art. A Hong Kong auction of fine Chinese paintings earlier this month raised $94.8 million, three times pre-sale estimates. In fact, China is now the world’s biggest art market, according to the art information agency Artprice. Yet all is not what it seems in the murky world of Chinese art auctions, including a painting that sold last year for more than $11 million, but appears not to be what was advertised.

New York Daily News
PBS takes a look into racial Civil War history

Once in a while, a television show takes a fascinating question and presents a clear, direct and relatively simple answer. That’s a good moment, and a good moment is what we get from this crossover collaboration between PBS’ “Antiques Roadshow” and “History Detectives” over a Civil War tintype that shows a white and black man seated next to each other in Confederate Army uniforms.

Antiques Trade Gazette
Survey Shows Checks are Still Key to Antiques Trade

A survey conducted by the Association of Art and Antiques Dealers (U.K.) has revealed just how much the art and antiques trade relies on the check. In a poll of its 550 members, a clear majority (62 percent) of the association’s dealers who responded said that checks were used as the method of payment for over half their sales, and an even higher proportion (80 percent) used checks to pay at least half of their suppliers when buying stock and paying bills.

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WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Alex Rodriguez, Yankees third baseman

Of course, the most recent admission of steroids comes from Alex Rodriguez. This admission is particularly damaging to baseball and sports collectibles as many fans viewed A-Rod as the last great hope to break Bonds’ home-run record legitimately. A-Rod was, in many ways, the poster child for clean, steroids-free success in baseball.

Until last week.

Even though the results were from five years ago, the fact that A-Rod took steroids is a crucial blow to the sport. No longer does baseball have that hope that the home-run record will be taken back by a clean player. More importantly, this latest steroids admission just further sullies an entire era of players. Unless evidence comes up to the contrary, people are going to cast a skeptical eye toward any player from this period, and that’s the biggest shame of it all.

So, what does this mean for A-Rod’s collectibles?

If history is any indication, the demand for A-Rod’s memorabilia is going to decline drastically. The reasons for this are simple.

1. Parents aren’t going to spend hundreds of dollars on collectibles of a known steroids user for their kids.

2. A-Rod likely won’t get into the Hall of Fame, drastically reducing the value of his collectibles.

3. A-Rod’s numbers are tainted and meaningless. In short, they no longer add value to collectibles.

4. Many sports memorabilia shop owners refuse to carry pieces of known steroids users.

Just do a quick check on eBay to see how collectors are responding to this. Some 795 A-Rod pieces are up for sale, and most of them are sitting there with no bids or interest.

Alex Rodriguez 1994 Foxes card

Another A-Rod Foxes car

Two cards from A-Rod’s days on the minor-league Appleton (Wis.) Foxes. To learn about the one on the left, click here. For the one on the right, click here.

And it’s not just because fans are holding some high moral ground. It’s because collectibles from the steroid age are more and more proving to be poor investments.

That’s why I think A-Rod’s positive test doesn’t just affect him—it affects this entire era. Fans and collectors are starting to see how widespread the problem of steroids is/was, and they’re going to respond accordingly.

How will they respond? By buying collectibles from the pre-1980s. Players like Nolan Ryan, Sandy Koufax, Roger Maris, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth and many others will now be held in even greater regard as the value of the numbers they put up and of their collectibles sharply increases as the modern era takes yet another black eye.

So, if you’re looking to make an investment, look to the past. Until this steroids issue gets taken care of once and for all, I wouldn’t feel comfortable sinking my money into any player from recent times.

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Sure, factors such as a player’s statistics, team popularity and the card’s age all play a role in determining a collectibles’ value, but sometimes cards become hot for other reasons. Collectibles may go hot because of media hype. For one reason or another, the media gets in a frenzy over certain cards (typically error or rare cards), and the market for that card goes through the roof. Here are a few examples of cards that have benefited from the media attention.

1. Derek Jeter—How would you like to have Mickey Mantle and George W. Bush watching you to see if you can deliver that big hit? Thanks to the pranksters over at Topps, that’s exactly what the 2007 Derek Jeter baseball card depicts. Jeter is taking a swing while President Bush is standing in the crowd and Mickey Mantle is watching intently from the Yankee dugout. When this collectible was released in early 2007, it seemed as if every news outlet ran a story on it. As a result, it became the hottest card around, and eBay users went crazy for them.

2. Alex Gordon—It’s the card that should have never been. The 2006 Topps set jumped the gun on issuing hot prospect Alex Gordon’s Royals rookie card. There is a rule in place that prevents card manufacturers from issuing a player’s rookie card unless he made the 25-man roster or played in a major league game in the prior season. Alex Gordon didn’t qualify on either count. Topps caught the mistake and pulled the print from production. However, a few of the cards still made it out to the public. The media caught on to the story, and the card skyrocketed in value. Collectors got caught up in the media hype, and they were paying thousands of dollars for this rookie card.

3. Yuki Saitoh—The most recent card to capture the attention of journalists around the country is the 2008 Upper Deck USA set Yuki Saitoh card. Yuki Saitoh isn’t in major league baseball. Nor does he play for an American team. He is a member of the 2007 Japanese Collegiate All Star squad. The media is painting him as the next Dice-K, and collectors are hopping on the bandwagon. Some of his cards are fetching nearly $2,000.

What about you, the reader? Have you seen any collectibles rise in value because of the media attention given to them? Let’s hear about it in the comments.

1. Derek Jeter—How would you like to have Mickey Mantle and George W. Bush watching you to see if you can deliver that big hit? Thanks to the pranksters over at Topps, that’s exactly what the 2007 Derek Jeter baseball card depicts. Jeter is taking a swing while President Bush is standing in the crowd and Mickey Mantle is watching intently from the Yankee dugout. When this collectible was released in early 2007, it seemed as if every news outlet ran a story on it. As a result, it became the hottest card around, and eBay users went crazy for them.

2. Alex Gordon—It’s the card that should have never been. The 2006 Topps set jumped the gun on issuing hot prospect Alex Gordon’s Royals rookie card. There is a rule in place that prevents card manufacturers from issuing a player’s rookie card unless he made the 25-man roster or played in a major league game in the prior season. Alex Gordon didn’t qualify on either count. Topps caught the mistake and pulled the print from production. However, a few of the cards still made it out to the public. The media caught on to the story, and the card skyrocketed in value. Collectors got caught up in the media hype, and they were paying thousands of dollars for this rookie card.

3. Yuki Saitoh—The most recent card to capture the attention of journalists around the country is the 2008 Upper Deck USA set Yuki Saitoh card. Yuki Saitoh isn’t in major league baseball. Nor does he play for an American team. He is a member of the 2007 Japanese Collegiate All Star squad. The media is painting him as the next Dice-K, and collectors are hopping on the bandwagon. Some of his cards are fetching nearly $2,000. Click here to read about where to find baseball cards.

What about you, the reader? Have you seen any collectibles rise in value because of the media attention given to them? Let’s hear about it in the comments.

In a recent blog, I discussed some of the most valuable baseball bobble head dolls of all time (click here to read my post about baseball bobble heads). There were some amazing figures on the list worth thousands of dollars. If you are like me, reading about those bobble heads completely changed my perception of the oversize head toys. After writing that post, I thought it would be a good idea to follow it up with a post detailing the history of baseball bobble dolls.

The 1960s were the era when bobble heads became popular with the public. Back then, these dolls were made with papier-mâché. Therefore, it’s rare to see any antique bobble heads that don’t have cracks or severe chipping. However, even with the chipping these antique sports dolls still fetch a high price at auctions.

One thing that may surprise today’s collector is the first bobble heads weren’t of specific players. Instead, each bobble head had the exact same face, but wore a different team jersey. These generic bobbing head dolls were sent from Japan, and they typically sold for a few dollars.

The bobble head obsession died out at the end of the 1960’s, and they became a scarce item for almost 30 years. It wasn’t until 1999, when the San Francisco Giants gave away Willie Mays plastic bobble heads that the nationwide obsession began again.

Since this promotional event in 1999, there has been resurgence in the baseball bobble head collectibles industry. Now, bobble heads of specific players are made, and they are given away during special nights throughout the year at baseball parks across the country. The current plastic models are much easier to maintain than their predecessor. Additionally, the player specific collectibles are not as generic as they once were. These models bear a striking resemblance to the player, and they often contain specific attributes such as tattoos, facial hair, and other characteristics.

The 1999 Willie Mays bobble head also paved the way for these toys to permeate other facets of popular culture. Today, bobble heads of politicians, musicians, movie stars, athletes, and other public figures fill the display cases of collectors worldwide.

What bobble heads do you collect? Do you have a favorite? Tell me about them in the replies.

A bobblehead is a collectible doll with an out-of-proportion large head sitting on top of a small body. As a baseball memorabilia collector, bobblehead collectibles intrigue me because they seem to be just toys on the surface. However, many of these collectibles are worth a substantial amount of money. What follows is a list of some valuable baseball bobblehead dolls on the market.

1961 Mickey Mantle –
Many people don’t realize that baseball bobbleheads have been around for about half a century. A Mickey Mantle bobblehead was one of the first fashioned for a specific player. Originally, this wobbler sold for just $1. If only I had been alive back then, but I digress. In excellent condition, this Mickey Mantle bobblehead can fetch close to $1,000. Even if the bobblehead is chipped or flawed in some manner, it’s still estimated to be worth around $500.

1960’s Dodgers Weirdos –
The Los Angeles Dodger weirdo bobbleheads are some of the most interesting bobblehead collectibles you will ever see. These goofy-looking bobbing heads are incredibly rare and surprisingly valuable. The most expensive of this set are appraised at $5,000. And you thought they were just silly toys.

Houston Colt 45 Black Face –
From 1963 to 1965, a set of black-face baseball bobbleheads were issued representing 16 of the 20 major league teams at the time. Most of these dolls are very rare and valuable, but one of them stands apart from the crowd. The Houston Colt 45 doll is the most uncommonly found bobblehead, and its book value is upward of $10,000. One of the things that make this one unique is that, as the name suggests, this doll carries a pistol. The Houston Colt 45 wobbler may be the most highly sought after baseball bobblehead collectible.

The next time your child wants to arrive at the ball game early to pick up a bobblehead of his favorite player, you should consider the lessons taught in this article—giveaway collectibles can turn out to be quite valuable. Who knows? Your kid could end up with a very valuable investment.

Eric’s posts for beginning baseball collectors:

How to Start a Baseball Card Collection
Where to Find Baseball Cards
How to Store Your Baseball Cards

• Harlowe Powell of Charlottesville, VA is holding a May 16th auction of sporting and leisure collectibles, including a matched trio of McGregor Master 30 Model golf clubs owned by Sam Snead. The club heads are made of solid persimmon with mother-of-pearl inserts, with an estimated value of $2,500- $3,500.

• Julien’s Auctions of West Hollywood is holding a charity auction on May 31st in New York featuring items donated by U2 guitarist The Edge and other rock stars. A highlight is a 1976 Gibson Explorer electric guitar with all original parts and case that was stage-played by Edge and comes with authentication documents by U2′s guitar technician Dallas Schoo. Estimated value: $80,000

• Apple Tree Auctions of Newark, Ohio specializes in vintage Heisey glass (which was manufactured in Newark) as well as Midwestern antique furnishings and others items. Apple Tree has several spring and early summer auctions scheduled including household items on May 15 and 29, antique and decorative arts on June 12-14, Heisey glass on June 17-18 and railroadiana on June 20-21.

• Pook & Pook’s jewelry sale on May 16th in Downington, PA includes an Art Deco diamond and sapphire ring in a platinum setting with 47 diamonds totaling 2.44 carats and 16 sapphires valued up to $6,000.

• Coaches Corner Sports Auction is conducting electronic bidding on a variety of baseball collectibles, including a box of a dozen baseballs signed by many of the sport’s legendary sluggers who hit more than 500 home runs, including Mickey Mantle, Ted Williams Hank Aaron, Willie Mays, Mike Schmidt, Reggie Jackson and Frank Robinson. All of the signatures are certified and most grade at 8.5 or higher. The current top bid is $1,213.

• Sloan & Kenyon’s Three-Day June Estate Catalogue Auction on June 21-23 in Chevy Chase, MD. The firm also is privately selling an 1848 Bösendorfer grand piano valued as high as $300,000 and a trio of ship models – the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria – crafted entirely in precious metals by Philadelphia master goldsmith Antonio Gonzalez that is expected to sell for more than $1 million.

Harlowe Powell website

Julien’s Auctions website

Julien’s Auctions website

Apple Tree Auctions website

Pook & Pook website

Coaches Corner Sports Auction wesbite

Sloans & Kenyon website

No sport represents the tradition and values of the United States quite like baseball. It has been played around the country since the 1860s, and although it has undergone many changes, the foundation the 19th century produced can still be seen in ballparks across the country. With such an extensive legacy, the world of baseball collectibles is vast and varied. Collectors everywhere have their niche, whether it be cards, bats, jerseys, tickets or programs, there is something to collect for every baseball fan. I grew up in suburban Detroit a fan of the Detroit Tigers. This was instilled in me from the very beginning, as my family had intimate contact and knowledge with classic Tiger legends. I recently uncovered a one of a kind collectible that was a personal gift to my family. My grandfather owned and operated an Italian restaurant in downtown Detroit, amongst some of his clientele were the 1968 Tigers who would go on to win the World Series that year, helping to heal the pain of the 1967 riots. The team expressed their gratitude to our family by giving us two baseballs signed by the entire team, featuring such greats as Al Kaline, Willie Horton, Eddie Matthews, and Denny McClain. The signatures are fading and harder to read now, but those baseballs remain my father’s pride and joy. The baseball collection my family possesses goes beyond just the personal and local, but to a national appreciation of the sport. Their collection contains over 80 official Louisville Sluggers with imprinted player names. These bats are a who’s who of the greatest hitters in baseball history featuring the likes of Babe Ruth, Hank Aaron, Ernie Banks, Willie Mays, Ted Williams, and others. Having never seen an actual baseball field, these historic bats remain in excellent condition. The family took great strides to honor the best players they saw step onto the diamond. My mother and grandfather worked together to build the bat collection to where it is today. My grandfather never personally showed me the bats, but my mom has told me that he intended the bats to be a physical history of the game for me to appreciate. As I grew up and learned more about the heroes’ names hung in my basement, it led me to an even greater love of the game today. That love inspired my own baseball card collection as a continuing part of baseball’s impressive history for all future baseball enthusiasts.

He was humble about this good fortune as he sat in his parent’s living room and talked about his passion for baseball that goes back just about as far as he can remember. To the little boy standing on the sidelines, the best players had heart and determination and seemed like superheroes.

Click here to watch the video!

“My favorite players were Barry Bonds and Kevin Ken Griffey, Jr.,” Sutton said. “I would arrive two hours early for the game at Coors field just to watch the players practice.”

But now Sutton’s lucky catch is for sale in an online auction that ends April 12. The auction house, SPC Auctions, thinks the ball might fetch as much as one million dollars.

This young man may love baseball but there’s something he loves even more. Sutton explains his father has been battling cancer for two years. The months following the event, his father was losing the battle and became hospitalized. With medical bills mounting, Sutton decided to sell his prize possession.

“I am hoping for any amount…any mount that will help,” Sutton said.

It was his love for the game that brought him unbelievable luck in the Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Game. He is hoping the luck will continue for his family.

Barry Bonds is also hoping for a better outcome since his contract with the San Francisco Giants is in question, and he currently faces charges in a steroids investigation.

In the likelihood he doesn’t return to the game, Sutton’s baseball will remain the major league record for career home runs.

www.worthpoint.com/worth-points/barry-bonds-last-home-run-ball

The superstar has always been the key element in the game. Baseball greats were popular visitors at banquets, parades, and more recently at baseball autograph shows. Autographed items, especially those used in an actual game, command premium prices. The bigger the star, the bigger the price tag.

References: Mark Allen Baker, “Sports Collectors Digest Baseball Autograph Handbook, Second Edition,” Krause Publications, 1991; Mark Baker, “Team Baseballs: The Complete Guide to Autographed Team Baseballs,” Krause Publications, 1992; David Bushing, “Sports Equipment Price Guide,” Krause Publications, 1995; David Bushing and Joe Phillips, “Vintage Baseball Glove 1997 Pocket Price Guide, Vol. 1, No. 5,” published by authors, 1997; Douglas Congdon-Martin and John Kashmanian, “Baseball Treasures: Memorabilia From the National Pastime,” Schiffer Publishing, 1993; Kevin Keating and Mike Kolleth, “The Negro League Autograph Guide, Antique Trader Books,” 1998; Mark Larson, “Sports Collectors Digest Complete Guide to Baseball Memorabilia, Third Edition,” Krause Publications, 1996; Mark Larson, Rick Hines, and Dave Platta (eds.), “Mickey Mantle Memorabilia,” Krause Publications, 1993; Tuff Stuff (eds.), “Baseball Memorabilia Price Guide,” Antique Trader Books, 1998; Jim Warren II, “Tuff Stuff’s Complete Guide to Starting Lineup: A Pictorial History of Kenner Starting Lineup Figures,” Antique Trader Books, 1997.

– Harry L. Rinker

“Official Price Guide to Collectibles”