Best of December 2011

[GloveCrazy]

I made the leap, which was quite a lengthy jump for a Billy Werber which books at 1/2 of what I paid. Many would find it hard to believe that my max bid was much higher than the that, too, which I know is nutty! You can't really logic with the crazy but the only way I can explain it is that I sometimes pay more to fill a perceived hole. I really liked the combination of quality, unique features, color, and centered cloth label, but what made it a need for me was that is made from Wapiti leather which I didn't have yet (but should have, if you get my point, ebbets55 ). Anyway, I received it and don't regret it at all. As they say, you only wince once on a high quality expensive purchase. I just hope I feel the same about the D&M decker patent double face c-mitt I similalry went a little overboard on this month!

[Mike**Mize]

Nice. Way to go Rob. I think my mind closed it out as soon as I saw Billy Werber. Just goes to show. Somehow I completely missed it.

re. the catcher's mitt...Was that the one with the Decker thumb? How could you possibly overpay? I almost posted it when it first was listed. I can't remember seeing too many Decker thumbs! That's an actual new definition for the term Double Decker. Previously it could only be applied to a bus.

[Mike**Mize]

I picked up this one; only because it was sitting there looking like it might also be nice ( A J Reach 30's fielders). Curiously, I also checked what else the guy had for sale and bid on and won an old C note harmonica ! Can't wait to see how this one cleans up and then how the harmonica sounds playin' Rainin' In My Heart in the key of C !

[GloveCrazy]

Yea, that Reach was intriguing and certainly looks like it would be fun to clean up. When I first saw it I was thinking George A. Reach, though, which as you know made some great quality gloves as well.

re. the catcher's mitt...Was that the one with the Decker thumb? How could you possibly overpay? I almost posted it when it first was listed. I can't remember seeing too many Decker thumbs! That's an actual new definition for the term Double Decker. Previously it could only be applied to a bus.

My wife's English so I was probably influenced subliminally. Anyway, yes, it has the full monty of decker patent features, but the one thing that lured me in was the "double palm" stamping on the front right and that crescent looking extra padding on the thumb. I had a Val Picinich that had much of the same back (if not identical), but I don't recall it having the extra padded front. I sat there and watched it all week debating that it may be listed at a lower price if nobody opens it up at $250, but ultimately couldn't wait, darn it. Hope the front cleans up.

[Mike**Mize]

I'm certain it's an AJ . It's got a Reach brass button.
On the subject of layered palms, I also was fortunate enough to pick up this Spalding Bill Dickey WD Triple Face mitt from Richie's fire sale.
Perfs in the back, to boot.

[GloveCrazy]

I was wondering who got that one, nice pickup! By the way, there's a Glove Forum discussion about double and triple faces (with aerated backs) in the "Not A Glove But Still Cool" section under "For Fun"
http://www.vintagebaseballgloveforum.com/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=4846&start=15

[Mike**Mize]

I really like the mitt. I have two other Bill Dickey Spalding Buckle Backs, but this is clearly the oldest. It's a revelation to see that the top face is horsehide. I'm pretty sure the whole mitt is horsehide (other than the buckle strap). This suggests that cowhide was unavailable when it was made, else why wouldn't it have been used on a mitt that's going to take as much of a pounding as this one. I took the liberty to make it a rolled lace web. I'm certain that's not what it started out with. I do like the way it came out.

[GloveCrazy]

else why wouldn't it have been used on a mitt that's going to take as much of a pounding as this one.

That triple face model actually has three front layers so maybe they needed horsehide so it wouldn't weigh a ton.

[Mike**Mize]

Good point, Rob.

Here's a Goldsmith Double Face I found this fall.

[GloveCrazy]

What's up with that tiny little thumbnail picture ... are you hiding something? Anytime -- ANYTIME -- I see the phrase double face I think of that annoying Poker Face song by Lady Gaga ... mu mu my double face. I leave you with that to hum all day long!

[Mike**Mize]

Hey Rob, I was as surprised as you to see how small the photo I have of this one is. It's posted on Jim's site much, much larger.
By the way, it's been great to re-connect with you with a little glove talk. I hope you have a Very Merry Christmas.

Mike

[Mike**Mize]

Bigger shots of the Goldsmith Double Face.

[Mike**Mize]

Here's that Reach glove from back up the thread. Still cleaning and conditioning. Looking through catalog pages I could not find a seam or welt saver of this kind on a Reach glove from the late twenties through mid 30's. Maybe I have my date estimate wrong. More to follow on this one.