Before we get into today's Blog subject, I must tell you about our experience at the Chicago Sun Times Sports Memorabilia Show this past weekend (March 19-21,2010). For a number of years, both John & I have contemplated setting up at this show- but the thought of an almost 14 hour drive scared us off. We "bit the bullet" this year and set up with the hope that we would make new customers and put faces to the voices we have dealt with on the phone for many years. We accomplished both and the show could not have been better for us. The people of Chicago are wonderful. Our New York accents didn't scare off anybody and we made a lot of new friends. It was a great time. Thanks- Chicago!
At the show, we had the pleasure of seeing our old friend- T.S. O'Connell (editor of Sports Collectors Digest). It was great talking with him and swapping sports stories. The best part of the meeting was getting a copy of his new book titled "Legendary Yankee Stadium- Memories & Memorabilia from the House that Ruth Built". It is a beautiful "coffee table" book that will spark the memories of anyone who has entered the hallowed halls of one of the greatest sports stadiums in the history of mankind (of course- I'm biased). There are loads of pictures and stories and in my opinion- one of the best sports books I've ever read. It's easy reading and I finished it after just two days. I'm sure I will read it several more times- it's great. Do your self a favor- pick up a copy.
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JIM GENTILE HARTLAND
As many of you may or may not know, when Hartland Plastics closed it's doors in 1962, they left behind a legacy for producing what many consider the finest series of baseball statues in the hobby. Even with today's modern technology, newly issued statues do not compare with the quality and attention to detail that makes Hartland statues one of the most sought after collectibles more than 50 years after they were first introduced.
Those of us who are Hartland fanatics are certainly familar with the Original 18 baseball statues that included Willie Mays, Mickey Mantle, Ernie Banks, Roger Maris, Harmon Killebrew, Rocky Colavito, Warren Spahn, Duke Snider, Luis Aparicio, Yogi Berra, Eddie Mathews, Nellie Fox, Ted Williams, Hank Aaron, Stan Musial, Don Drysdale, Babe Ruth and the elusive Dick Groat. But did you know that Hartland had planned two other statues- Casey Stengel and Jim Gentile?
In an earlier Blog entry, we pictured the prototype of the Stengel statue. Our good friend and Hartland afficianado, Fred McKie sent us a picture of the prototype of the Jim Gentile statue (see below). Wow- how cool would that one have been. He is shown in his Baltimore Oriole uniform stretching at first base. Too bad it was never issued.
