The Good Old Days

[ebbets55]

Remember when we used to get auction catalogs like this? These were fun. Maybe one day I'll post a bunch of stuff in the library.

JD

[vintagebrett]

Those Oregon Trail Auction catalogs are the best to look through - there were so many great items, and not just gloves. There are a couple pieces I keep hope will reappear at some point and that I'll have the funds to buy them. It's interesting to try to match the gloves to the collector - some of them, I wonder where they are now.

Also, the 3 fingered that is pictured on there - I think it's a Jimmy McLaughlin or something like that - the reserve price was $45! And the full web buckle back - that had a reserve of $90!

[crackofthebat]

Yes, those old catalogs had a lot of nice gloves in them!! I also remember the Glove Collector Newsletter back then was full of ads of gloves for sale. No pictures, but it was great calling the different sellers and talking about the gloves they had listed.

[Mr. Mitt]

I wish I held on to all my old auction catalogs. Space problems prohibited that, unfortunately. Great reference material. It baffles me that so many of the gloves in the Oregon Trail Auctions have never resurfaced. There are collectors out there hoarding gloves and keeping silent about it!

[okdoak]

I was looking thru my copies of TGC from 1995-98 over the weekend. It seems like every issue had news about a newly found Ruth or Cobb or a previously unknown endorser. Also covered the great gloves and prices realized for the Oregon Trail and John Graham auctions. There was a Sarge Connally for sale in one issue! Wishing I would have spent the rent money on gloves back then.

[ebbets55]

Jerry, I was thinking the same thing. Where are all these gloves? I only know where a small handful of them reside. There are a bunch of closet glove collectors out there and I know of a big one! It’s always fun to trace the lineage of certain gloves because that helps us determine the population of certain rare/scarce models. Jerry, you are the best at this. I often wish some more collectors would come forward and show their hands. It would sure make my job of finding these a lot easier. Actually, I love researching all things gloves. That’s what gives me more pleasure in the hobby these days – more than the gloves themselves at times. So come forward. I hardly think a couple more Cobbs surfacing would hurt the value of them.

Greg, I too wish I had the foresight and money to buy more of these gloves way back then. And yes, the Newsletters are an invaluable part of our hobby. They possess a wealth of information and I often refer back to them.

My subscription started around Newsletter #18. Back in the 90’s Minnesota collector and all-around helluva guy, Paul Gertsen, was kind enough to lend me his copies of 1-17 to enable me to complete my run. And for a guy who’s into reference material and research, these were invaluable to me. Thanks again Paul.

JD

[vintagebrett]

A couple of things:

1) I bet a lot of these gloves are in "baseball" collections, rather than "glove" collections. Baseball memorabilia collectors might not classify themselves as glove collectors but they have a couple in their collection for display, etc. Just like I wouldn't classify myself as a card collector, but I do have T205's, T206's and Goudey's for display purposes. I might read card boards but I wouldn't post - I bet this may be the case for some of those gloves.

2) We've discussed this before but it may have to do with internet activity of some collectors. I know of long time collectors who are still into gloves, but for some reason, choose not to participate because of other obligations or lack of internet knowledge.

3) We have a small group of dedicated posters here but we have a ton of people who read the threads without logging in - when I log into the admin panel I can see how many people are reading threads and it is always quite busy.

4) My dad and I discussed this a couple years ago but I still think it holds true - a lot of new collectors are collecting more modern gloves. It may reflect on one's childhood and they want something they had when they were younger.

5) From the Cobb post - Mr. Mitt, I agree with what you are saying about the difference between our hobby and others. For a lot of the card collectors, it's all about value and the plastic case that surrounds the card. I'm glad we don't have to worry about that with gloves - there is nothing better than walking down into my glove room and putting one on my hand.

6) I probably should start a new thread but I think this all fits here as well. Our hobby needs to grow and there are some exciting things coming our way over the next couple of months. I know JD is working on something cool. Last week I was involved in a neat process that I'll share with the community in the next month. Both of these things should help our hobby and get some new blood in. I know we've had some new collectors join in the forum lately and that is fantastic. We've also had some other veteran collectors regain their passion. Awesome!

The good old days are always fun to look back on and learn from. But looking forward can be fun too!

[Mr. Mitt]

Jumping between this thread and the "Another Cobb?" thread. Very similar sentiments in each. Jim, I too find most fun these days researching and hunting. But like I mention in the other thread, the potential results of going too far with fishing out every collector and what's in their collection would end the fun of the hunt. It's a catch 22. Though my opinions on population reports and cataloging gloves is beginning to shift in an opposite direction as yours, I don't want you to feel slighted. I commend your and others' efforts (I've helped a little too). I just hope the consequences aren't detrimental. I don't think they will be because, ultimately, it's futile. We'll never have exact data, nor get every collector to show his hand. It is fun trying, though!

[Mr. Mitt]

Again, back and forth between threads! Despite my "concerns", I agree that attracting "new blood" to the hobby is of the utmost importance for all of us. Anything that grabs new interest can't be a bad thing. All of the hard work being put in is not in vain.

Brett, perhaps we should begin a thread about trying to market the hobby. We've talked about it for some time, perhaps the time is right to throw it out there?

[vintagebrett]

My function for merging threads has disappered but if I can find it, I will put the Cobb and this thread together.

A marketing thread would be great.

[stockbuddy]

JD, Cool catalogs. I wish I had a few of those to look through. Your Lib.would be a great place to have some.


Guys, think where we would be without the Internet on this hobby. Joe's newsletter reached out to the true glove community and I am thankful for that but the Internet at least allows a place like this forum, a few dealer websites and a megasite like JD's.

I would agree with some who have mentioned that there are going to be private collectors who have never shown us a glove yet? LOL How many are out there, that is anyone's guess. BUT, a few things make me think we are seeing or have seen a lot of the gloves that are coming out of attics, basements, closets etc and if they meet certain expectations are snatched up . In the last 10 or 12 years I think most people that run some antique business have linked old gloves to ebay and auctions and thus thrown them into the market. It sure seems there are fewer selections these days. It would be fun to see what really is out there in collections, but I am thinking that we may be limited to ebay, JD's website a few books and Joe's newsletter.

As for value, I have brought this one up before and it still intrigues me.

When you see a one or two of a kind in most any other hobby, those items are extremely rare and valued. In this hobby, it may or may not carry the value one might think for its rarity or uniqueness. Stiill love those items, but sometimes they can be had for very little in comparison to other items from other hobbies. If there were more collectors, then we might see a difference there too. Not sure.

I always enjoy seeing the old timer gloves.

Dave

[murphusa]

I have the price realized on all of the catalogs above if anyone wants to know what something sold for

[ScottWNJ]

Has anyone considered creating an internet glove registry, where collectors could catalog their gloves online?

[Mr. Mitt]

Has anyone considered creating an internet glove registry, where collectors could catalog their gloves online?

Hmmmmmmmm... Thinks it's being worked on as we speak

It's the participation part that's going to be difficult. Some will love it and use it, but those lurking in the shadows will likely remain hesitant.

[Rickybulldog]

So what's the benefit of showing your hand? The flood of emails from people trying to get you to sell your glove. People holding out on trades with you for that particular item.. Oh yeah, I can see closet collectors jumping at the chance of doing that.(Sorry, just playing devil's advocate)