Glove Pics From All-Star FanFest

[ebbets55]

Went to All-Star FanFest last night and saw the traveling Hall of Fame Exhibit again. I never get tired of it. All-Star fever is in the air here in Anaheim. My boy Parker and I are going to the Home Run Derby and the game on Monday and Tuesday. Here are some of the gloves on Exhibit. There were game used gloves from Sisler, Cobb & Waddell to name a few. I couldn't make out the Cobb manufacturer to save my life. I swore it was a Brine, then I thought it was a Ty Cobb Sporting Goods glove. Still don't know as the stampings were so faint. Sorry for the rough pics but they were behind glass.

I also got to catch up with Dave Bushing a bit in the Hunt Auction area. it was good to see him again.

JD

[GloveCrazy]

Thanks Jim. I was going back-and-forth about going to the fan fest on Tuesday for the Hunt auction (before the game), and now I have added incentive.

[vintagebrett]

JD, Thanks for sharing. Hope you are able to snag a couple baseballs during the Home Run Derby - make sure to bring a vintage glove!

The prices on the gloves in Hunts Live auction are strong already - I wonder if they'll go even higher during the live bidding.

[okdoak]

I would love to see that Rube Waddell glove close up. "Donated by Connie Mack". How impressive is that?! Thanks, JD.

[GloveCrazy]

OK, so my I attended my first in-person auction earlier this month at the Hunt Fanfest, but made ALL of the rookie mistakes. It’s a long story for those so inclined (otherwise skip to the bottom for lessons learned).

Went back and forth the morning of the auction whether or not it was worth the hassle and expense of venturing to the Anaheim Convention center to attend the auction, prior to going to the all-star game. Changed my mind at least four times but figured it was probably now or never for a Hunt auction. Plus, there were four large trophies that I was REALLY interested in that were sitting at low bids, and thought it would be great to be able to pick them up in person rather than have them shipped (my experience in having heavy trophies shipped is, shall we say, shattering).

Later in the morning called a dealer friend to get his opinion and of course he spurred me on. He also helped me estimate that I probably had over an hour until the trophies came up. Great, that gave me time to make my 30 minute drive and stop to grab something quick to eat (in theory).

The fast food burger joint I stopped at wasn’t so fast and I was rerouted along with thousands of other people around Disneyland due to the Fan-fest parade. At that point I was pretty frazzled and just decided to pass on the auction thing.

The little superstitious voice in my head kept telling me that all of my bad luck was done for the day which could bear good auction results. Changed my mind again and called the Hunt number to see what number they were on (it still looked good). Missed my convention center entrance and had to double back a bit, had to park in the outer lot (which is barely in the same County), and there was a line at the entrance ticket booth. Saying that I stopped listening to the little voice was an understatement (blank that little voice!). However, it was now a personal mission of mine to make to the Hunt booth in one piece.

I literally showed up at Hunt as the last of the four trophy auctions ended (items #298-301). FIVE MINUTES EARLIER AND I WAS GOLDEN! All I can say is that it was probably good that I didn’t have an automatic weapon with me or I may have gone postal. Really.

Just then I saw Ryan Sims and he helped talk me down off the ledge. Although the two trophies I wanted most went for much less than I would have paid (ARGH!), he reminded me of the many other really nice things that were still coming up. I still had four other items on my interested list (three games and a glove), and I after checking out the items in person added another four (some items looked a lot better in person). I was pretty much reserved that I wasn’t likely going to win any of them, though.

The auctions go quickly. If there is no local interest they are done, and there were usually only one or two local bidders bidding on a given item (except for those autographed stamps for some reason).

Ryan won a pill box cap Spalding uniform with quilted pants (#316) that he hadn’t initially planned on bidding, but it looked good in the case and went cheaper than expected. It looked even better out of the case, with lots of bells and whistles.

Made sure I was ready for #320, the off-white webless. Took a run at this one with a couple of bids, but didn’t go the distance. It was over and done with in a flash and it was quite a rush! My heart was pounding as the auctioneer was going back and forth between me and someone on the phone bank (darn you phone bank!). Didn’t bid higher because I couldn’t quite see the whole back in the case and it may have had an index finger seam. Beauty glove, though, that will always be my first. I was actually a little proud of myself that I showed a little constraint given that I was steaming (poker reference for foolishly betting large after a big loss), but second-guessed myself as well.

#321 the huge display glove actually looked a little rough in person and opened higher than I wanted to pay. Cool glove, though. Similarly, a couple Spook Jacobs trophies opened higher. Mark Steinberg , who was sitting with Ryan and I, won the item he was most interested in, #325 a figural mirror. I was actually happy for the two, and of course in the rush of it all -- gabbing away with Ryan and Mark -- completely missed another minor item on my list, #375 Rawlings advertising. This really made me laugh.

The big Ox Cart beer sign #379 opened higher but we were heading into the big game section which I had strong interest. At this point in my trophy collection I probably needed a game more than a trophy, especially given that the two trophies I had wanted most were duplicates. Ryan was helpful in getting me to understand this seemingly obvious point (that I had missed on my own). Saw Dave Bushing and Gary Cypress (LA Sports Museum) milling around which decimated whatever confidence I had left.

The two table leg games #383 and #384 went quickly for more than I was ready to pay, darnit! I didn’t even get a bid in. I liked both the two coin-op games #386 and #387, but really really liked #387 with the figural scene in front. I was the first bidder at the opening. Although I was an experienced bidder now, in my confusion I actually lost track where we were and held up my plaque again when he asked if there were any other bidders. Total rookie mistake and the auctioneer asked again after giving me the rookie look. No other bidders, thank goodness, and I was once again trusting that little voice. Mark and Ryan helped me feel good about the purchase by telling me I got a good deal based on previous auctions (I really should have done a little research prior).

I was on cloud nine, and even the convention center employee who wouldn’t let me exit with the heavy game at the exit nearest to both Hunt and my parking structure couldn’t get me down. Mental note, if they ask you if you are a vendor default to yes. Never did get to see the rest of the $30 fan-fest

Thanks again to Ryan and Mark who helped make my first auction fun and educational.

This may be common sense to you regulars, but here are the lessons learned at one time or another during the auction:

Lesson 1 – Arrive in time to bid on your items
Lesson 2 – Arrive early to preview your favorite items, and others that may look better in person (or fall in your lap at the right price).
Lesson 3 – Determine max prices before the auction starts. Early research helps and take into consideration premiums, taxes, and/or shipping.
Lesson 4 - Pay attention, don’t miss out on your auctions gabbing to friends.
Lesson 5 - Pay attention, don’t bid against yourself (or you may get the rookie look)
Lesson 6 – When lugging something heavy and trying to exit closer to your car, answer yes if they ask if you are a vendor

[ebbets55]

Or, you can simply log onto the site and place a bid that way.

I bid on the webless and the Keller in box and won the Keller. Got my invoice in the mail yesterday.

JD

[GloveCrazy]

Or, you can simply log onto the site and place a bid that way.

Ha! Yes, you can and should do that, too, but of course I had planned on going all along (sort of) and forgot to online bid by the deadline (Sunday night). You can also sign up to phone bid, too, but I missed the deadline on that one, too. Darn rookie!

[ebbets55]

Great write-up. Thanks for posting. By the way, the webless was phenomenal. They took it out of the case for me and I saw it close up. It was spectacular and had no finger welting. The lining was even better. Congratulations on the person who prevailed.

JD

[GloveCrazy]

Yep, looked like a sweetie. The funny thing is I didn't even think about having them pull it out in advance because it was passed the preview hours. Looking back, I'm sure they would have. Either way, I probably wasn't going much higher on that one because the phone bank person looked pretty committed, and I don't really have display room for another beauty webless (as if). Let me know, webless winner, if you are interested in trading.

Here are photos of the large display glove and part of the webless, the elusive trophies, Mark in action, Ryan and his peanut machine and hat to the uni, and I won the larger game on the right.

[vintagebrett]

Thanks for the write up. Having been to numerous auctions I can now say I'm past the rookie phase, however, I still get anxious when the lots I'm interested in come up and can usually feel my heart beating through my chest if it is something I really want.

[Nuts4Mitts]

Is there a listing somewhere that tells when and where these auctions are? I've never even heard of them before this.

[okdoak]

Here's the link to Hunt's website. They will send you a catalog for their next auction if you sign up.

http://www.huntauctions.com/

[perezfan]

Rob...

That was a great write-up of Hunt's, and some sage advice for those looking to bid in a live auction. It takes seemingly forever to get to the lots you're interested in, but does go incredibly fast, once you are in on the bidding. Knowing your firm price limits up front is the key, as you stated.

Once you're comfortable with the procedure, live bidding is definitely the way to go. Unlike absentee bidding, you can shift to alternate lots (if you are outbid). Plus, there is a true benefit to seeing the items in person. Auction Houses (even as esteemed as Hunt's) often fail to disclose certain flaws, and frequently over-grade items as well. To your point, that giant Display Glove was not nearly as nice in person, and other items were far better than described (like the early Uniform that Ryan snagged).

It was great meeting you there, and many congrats on your beautiful Arcade Game. The figural players on the front and the pachinko-style game board are classic. Your Game is every bit as displayable/attractive as any of the Trophies you missed, and more functional too (it's a fun one to play!)

Take care,
Mark