“10 Most Wanted Missing National Baseball Treasures”

[westofyou]

http://haulsofshame.com/blog/?p=226

9. 1917 Letter Written by Hall-of-Famer Christy Mathewson to August Herrmann. (August Herrmann Papers, National Baseball Hall of Fame)

DESCRIPTION

Origin:This document was once part of the business and club records of August Herrmann, owner and president of the Cincinnati Base Ball Club. Herrmann’s entire archive of correspondence and business records spanning from 1902-1927 were stored in a room near the upper deck of Cincinnati’s Crosley Field until Red’s owner Powel Crosley Jr. donated the entire collection to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1961. It wasn’t until 2006, thanks to a grant from the Yawkey Foundation, that the entire archive was preserved, professionally conserved and officially catalogued in the official “Guide to the August “Garry” Herrmann Papers 1877-1938.”

Last Appearance:Sold for $9,775 as Lot 526 by Sotheby’s in the 1999 auction of the “Barry Halper Collection.”

Evidence of Theft:The Baseball Hall of Fame’s “Herrmann Papers” archive includes separate files dedicated to all of the correspondence Herrmann received from his manager, Christy Mathewson. Folder 25 in the collection includes all of the Mathewson correspondence to Herrmann spanning from 1916-1919. In particular, there is a series of letters written by Mathewson in January of 1917. The letters were written by Mathewson on January 5th, 6th and 8th on his personal stationary which included his home address of “87 St. Nicholas Place, New York.” The letter offered by Sotheby’s was dated January 10, 1917 and written on the exact same stationary. It appears to be missing from the National Baseball Library files.

[Roy Tucker]

I walk past a photo of Garry Herrman every day on my way to lunch.

[westofyou]

Originally Posted by Roy Tucker

I walk past a photo of Garry Herrman every day on my way to lunch.

Does he have a sausage under his arm?

I walk by a statue of a nun every day on my way into work.

[Johnny Footstool]

Originally Posted by westofyou

I walk by a statue of a nun every day on my way into work.

Does she have a sausage under her arm?

[westofyou]

Originally Posted by Johnny Footstool

Does she have a sausage under her arm?

It's a bust she ain't got limbs!!

[RichRed]

Originally Posted by westofyou

It's a bust she ain't got limbs!!

So the sausage is on her head? I'm so confused.

[MrCinatit]

Notice this Barry Halper guy was in possession of almost all of these at one time or another? Guy must have (or had) a collection that dreams are made of.

[westofyou]

Originally Posted by MrCinatit

Notice this Barry Halper guy was in possession of almost all of these at one time or another? Guy must have (or had) a collection that dreams are made of.

He did, and there is a GREAT book(s) That I have with a zillion pictures



http://www.amazon.com/Barry-Halper-C.../dp/0810967049

[TheNext44]

Halper was/is the Donald Trump of sports collectibles. If there was something that everyone wanted, he got.

[Roy Tucker]

Originally Posted by westofyou

Does he have a sausage under his arm?

I walk by a statue of a nun every day on my way into work.

Nah, just your garden variety portrait in a tweedy suit.

It is next to a 1919 World Series photo taken at Redsland Field and a 1925 Reds pitching staff photo.

No sausages or nuns are involved.

[macro]

Originally Posted by Johnny Footstool

Does she have a sausage under her arm?

[Yachtzee]

Originally Posted by MrCinatit

Notice this Barry Halper guy was in possession of almost all of these at one time or another? Guy must have (or had) a collection that dreams are made of.

It make me wonder if Mr. Halper might have been in some way associated with the thefts or at least turned a blind eye as to whether these items were stolen.

[RedFanAlways1966]

Nice read. Seems as though the New York Public Library (NYPL) needs to have better security or make some things less public.

[MrCinatit]

Originally Posted by westofyou

He did, and there is a GREAT book(s) That I have with a zillion pictures



http://www.amazon.com/Barry-Halper-C.../dp/0810967049

I took a quick glance at his Wiki entry - Gehrig's last glove, Matthewson's first ever uniform....the few items they listed were practically mouth watering (though I could do without Cobb's dentures). It also said much of his collection was sold to MLB, with the rest being auctioned. He died a few years ago.
As for Yachtzee's question...well, it did pop into my mind as well. I am thinking the "blind eye" scenario is more likely. But then again, if someone came to me with a chance to buy Gehrig's last uniform for the right price (and could prove it was authentic), what would I truly do. Yeah, I know - breaking the law and all that stuff, but if it had not been taken from his family...



Nah. I don't think I could do that. Damn it.