I really envy Bernice and Al Gallego. The Fresno couple, owners of a Tower District antique shop, came across a rare find: An 1869 baseball card depicting the Cincinnati Red Stockings, the very first professional baseball team and the lineal ancestor of today's major leagues.
It's not so much the value of the card, although Mike Osegueda's story today suggests it may be worth "six figures" to a collector, and I wouldn't turn that down. It's just that I've got my own piles of stuff that have accumulated over the years, and I've never once turned up anything nearly so cool as an 1869 baseball card. Way to go, Bernice and Al.
Things like this get tossed away all of the time. My husband came across a garbage can filled with old photographs and momentos once. His inquiry into why they were there determined an old uncle had died and the family was cleaning out his house. Nobody wanted the "old stuff". My husband retrieved it out of the garbage and brought it to the local historical society who found many gems that they kept in their collection, under the old man's name. We were happy that the old man was able to leave his little mark on history instead of being gone and forgotten. I'm glad this batch of "stuff" found it's way to the Gallego's.
NOOOOO!! STOP - Don't put it on ebay!! At least not before contacting Sotheby's.
If I may throw in my two cents...I'm pretty sure this is an amazing and very rare find and should be in the hands of Sotheby's Auctions in their next Sports Memorabilia lot. This just might be the oldest baseball card in existence. Sotheby's will know, and they will get the right collectors in the room for this. Charlie Sheen comes to mind, he's a big sports memorabilia collector and there's so many others. I've dug up a few links for the Gallegos to look at and then they can contact Sotheby's who are going to be VERY interested in this card, and can help them through the process.
The thing with the value of this, and items like it, is that it's worth what a collector is willing to pay. A high end card collector may stop at nothing to have this in his collection but he may not see it on ebay because he wouldn't believe someone would be selling it there.
Here are two links at the Sotheby's website:
Sotheby's seller info.
Some frequently asked questions.
Another website:
Previous Sotheby's Sports memorabilia results.
There is also SCP Auctions that specializes in sports memorabilia. They can be found here, but I don't know of their reputation.
Sotheby's of course is known worldwide and is the premier high end auction house. Of course their percentage will likely be a little higher but they will attract the highest bidders. That could be the difference of $10,000 on ebay to $100,000 with Sotheby's. And Sotheby's will give you the most accurate valuation of the card's most likely hammer price. That's what Mr. and Mrs. Gallago need to know.
They also might want to have their contact, either Rick Mirigian or their friend George Huddleston contact Sotheby's for information. If they'd like me to do it I'd be happy to. My brother is a fine art dealer and has dealt with Sotheby's.
OK...admittedly I've become somewhat infatuated with vintage baseball since Russ put up this post and I read Mike Osegueda's story about the vintage card. Like Mr. and Mrs. Gallego, I didn't know much about 19th century baseball so I looked up the Cincinnati Red Stockings.
If any ball fans care to read more I found this site about 19c. baseball, which incidentally talks about the Red Stockings and lists the players, who are the same as on the Gallego's card. It's interesting how the history started and how the game was played back then.
There is also a website for the current Cincinnati Red Stockings. They basically recreate the game as it was played then and play other 19c ball teams using the old rules and no gloves.
Pish posh... rubberish even!
In my opinion the card should be appraised, insured then framed and displayed at the antique store. Its value for bringing customers in to browse and shop would over time exceed its appraised value.
If it didn't then it would still be a fantastic item to have and display. Not to mention a conversation piece.
Scot...I am constantly adjusting my opinion of you.I think you're a standup guy though we think differently and it's nice of you to try to help these folks explore their options. John Z...obviously a liberal as you think you know what's best for others to do with their treasure.
Yeah, Brian. I hate it when people offer their unsolicited opinions on this forum.
Adam...good to hear you are still around and better yet... this has nothing to do with "Gay Marriage".I'm impressed.
I doubt your sincerity.
Adam...me too.
Re: Russ' headline for this post ...
Schwing!