OT-Your favorite NON game-used items...

[2000mvpfan]

...just going through some stuff today gave me this idea.I'd bet probably 90-95% of us started with cards,autographs,and then got into game-used.For me,that was in the early '80's-the heyday of card shows in the NY Tri-State area.Since then,I've picked up some pretty good stuff,but these would definitely have to be favorites.

1.HOF'ers for under $20 dollars:$200?$300?Then another $10 to $50 for an inscription?Not back in the early '80's...try $8 for Joe D. and Stan the Man (that's $5 for the auto and $3 for the photo) and an even $10 for Ted ($7/$3)-inscription?Whatever you want,free of charge.In fact,I think the only 2 guys I never,ever got an inscription from were Mantle and Mays.Ah,the good 'ol days...
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s11/2000mvpfan_giambi/IMG00117.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s11/2000mvpfan_giambi/IMG00119.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s11/2000mvpfan_giambi/IMG00118.jpg

2.The 1980 World Champions:It took almost a decade,but I just finished this thing in December,now it's off to the framers.The hard part?Not finding signed cards of McGraw and Espinosa to mount with the poster (McGraw passed away before I got the blank poster,and Espinosa's been dead since the mid-'80's),but waiting for the IMPOSSIBLE Randy Lerch to finally do a show in the NY/NJ area...
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s11/2000mvpfan_giambi/IMG00122.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s11/2000mvpfan_giambi/IMG00123.jpg
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s11/2000mvpfan_giambi/IMG00124.jpg

3.You knew this was coming:Since I can't make a post that doesn't involve Jason Giambi somehow,I'll throw this one out there-an oversize,signed canvas I picked up some years ago!!
http://i148.photobucket.com/albums/s11/2000mvpfan_giambi/IMG00121.jpg

Your turn,guys...
Discuss..
Joe

[jobathenut]

Well in honor of the steelers making it to the super bowl for the 3rd time in the big ben era.I am going to post my favorite items in my steelers room.And dont worry "2000mvpfan" i will also post a giambi item.As we would'nt be giambi fans if we didnt do it.

[jobathenut]

And here is my giambi item-it's not much but i like it

[Klattsy]

Those are some mighty fine autos Joe. And Joba I love the framing jobs...

This thread is going to be great to watch!

Mark.

[xpress34]

In NO specific order...

My AU Nolan Ryan glove:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/xpress34/Memorabilia/Gloves/RyanAURGB342.jpg

My AU Mark McGwire 1998 ASG Jersey:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/xpress34/Memorabilia/Jerseys/DSC05896.jpg

My AU (and inscribed) Nolan Ryan 1993 Rangers Jersey:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/xpress34/Memorabilia/Jerseys/Ryan932.jpg

My AU Nolan Ryan Bronze Hand casting:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/xpress34/Memorabilia/Miscellaneous/RyanHand.jpg

My AU ticket stub from my seat the night I got Eric Young Jr's 1st MLB Homer:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/xpress34/EYJr1stMLBHRTix9809.jpg

My AU ticket stub from Jason Giambi's DEBUT with the Colorado Rockies:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v738/xpress34/scan00032.jpg

I had to get my Giambi in there as well!!! (Joe and Butch - please PM with your snail mail addresses... I have something for each of you.)

- Smitty

[Bravesfan]

I am very partial to this George Foreman autograph and picture.

[Jstef15]

I have a full size Tebow helmet signed.

8x10s:
Channing Crowder, Jabar Gaffney, Brandon Siler, Reggie Nelson, Fred Taylor, Cornelius Ingram, Earl Everett, Urban Meyer, Alex Brown, Mike Peterson, and Mike Miller.

16x20s: Percy Harvin, Jevon Kearse, Jack Youngblood, and Reggie Nelson.

Balls:
Joakim Noah, Joe Haden, and Chris Leak.

I tried attaching photos but it wasn't working.

[Jstef15]

Sorry...

[dcgreg25]

Mine would have to be my original poster advertising the infamous ten-cent beer night at Cleveland Stadium against the Rangers back in the 70's.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm233/gregguy25/62781a.jpg

[frikativ54]

Mine would have to be my original poster advertising the infamous ten-cent beer night at Cleveland Stadium against the Rangers back in the 70's.

http://i297.photobucket.com/albums/mm233/gregguy25/62781a.jpg

Great item. I like it a ton. :)

[Shipp_96]

I dug up this old thread (even have a Giambi in there) and have to say it got me thinking. No doubt, my favorite non game used items (even more so than my many signed NFL and NCAA helmets) were my Oakland A's stadium give away bobble-heads! When I think of the hours I spent waiting for these, I'm sure (my then girlfriend, now wife) wishes she could kill me. But, my best memories are of her and I inline, having hours to talk about whatever and really getting to know each other.

Sadly, these were not even all of them pictured. I also had Dave Stewart, Carney Lansford, Reggie Jackson, Mark Kotsay, Chavez six time gold glove winner, Rich Harden, Dennis Eckersley, Mark Ellis, Vida Blue, Jason Kendall and Bobby Crosby. The shame is most of them I got signed either at the stadium or at various appearances around the Bay.

But, when we relocated from Cali back to my home on the east coast, I was so petrified they would be broken upon shipping and then worthless to anyone, I sold them all to a local sports dealer. One of my few sells that I regret to this day. That is our dog, Zena in the picture. After 14 years, she is still thankfully around!

[Jstef15]

Cool collection Shipp.. I've been in to bobble heads lately but I can't believe how expensive they are! Some go for over $100 on ebay.. its ridiculous... I love having unique stuff so that that is why I am interested in stuff like this.. All of my collection is Florida Gators or former Gators stuff... I would like the Mark Ellis one w/ him being a Gator.. I hope for your sake, that you kept that one! Start collecting them again...

[Metsfan808]

1986 Mets autographed jersey:

http://i139.photobucket.com/albums/q285/metsfan808/My%20Jerseys/1986%20Mets/IMG_5082.jpg

[Shipp_96]

Thanks Jstef15,

I just sent you an email to the address on your sig, with some photos of me and Mark together. He was one of my wife and I's all time favorite A's. Friendly and accessible every time you met him, plus a great fielder!

[Jstef15]

Thanks Shipp... Responded...

Metsfan, how much do you pay in framing alone! I would love to frame my 16x20s and 8x10s like that but I usually go the cheap route even though I don't really display them yet.. All of the frames and matting like great.

[Metsfan808]

Thanks Shipp... Responded...

Metsfan, how much do you pay in framing alone! I would love to frame my 16x20s and 8x10s like that but I usually go the cheap route even though I don't really display them yet.. All of the frames and matting like great.

I bought the frames from Michael's craft store. They were on sale & with a 40% off coupon they were about $20 each for the 16x20 & $5 for the 8x10. They came with the mats.

[3arod13]

These are my favorite pieces

1983 Roger Clemens Winter Haven Red Sox Minor League Signed Photo
1984 Michael Jordan Signed Rookie Photo
1987 Mark McGwire Mothers Cookie Signed Card (love this full signature)
1994 Alex Rodriguez 1st Career RBI Ticket (Signed)
1995 Alex Rodriguez 1st Career HR Ticket
1995 Alex Rodrigez Pacific Signed Card
1995 Alex Rodriguez Signed AL Baseball
2001 Carmelo Anthony Academy National Invitational Players Pass signed

[sox83cubs84]

Mine is a brand new baseball that was signed "Get Well Soon, Matt Sinatro". My buddy Joe McCarthy got it for me when I was having a longer-than-before recovery from my second kidney transplant in 2007.

Dave Miedema

[spartanservitto]

Before I collected bats, I was a big time autograph guy. Specifically over sized photos... here are my favorites... Most I obtained myself.

The Ali is like a 20X30, with a photo of him signing the item.

The Tiger Stadium photo has random players (anyone I could obtain who had played there for the Tigers).. sadly its missing ernie and sparky. :(

The last is a Eminem - Slim Shady LP personalized to me.

-Tony

[RRexpressfan94]

Before I collected bats, I was a big time autograph guy. Specifically over sized photos... here are my favorites... Most I obtained myself.

The Ali is like a 20X30, with a photo of him signing the item.

The Tiger Stadium photo has random players (anyone I could obtain who had played there for the Tigers).. sadly its missing ernie and sparky. :(

The last is a Eminem - Slim Shady LP personalized to me.

-Tony

I love that photo of Ali like no other. I have a poster in my room and a shirt with it.

[spartanservitto]

heres my last one...Brooke Robinson 16X20, he started writing all this stuff when I asked for a couple inscriptions. So cool.

[gaytorhater703]

Patrick Peterson picture and autograph with inscriptions 30 inches x 24 inches
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b308/GaytorHater703/Peterson_auto_picture-1.jpg

Jersey Patches worn by LSU
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b308/GaytorHater703/LSUJerseyPatches.jpg

[Jstef15]

I bought the frames from Michael's craft store. They were on sale & with a 40% off coupon they were about $20 each for the 16x20 & $5 for the 8x10. They came with the mats.

Cool, thanks for the info..

[Jstef15]

Patrick Peterson picture and autograph with inscriptions 30 inches x 24 inches
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b308/GaytorHater703/Peterson_auto_picture-1.jpg

Jersey Patches worn by LSU
http://i22.photobucket.com/albums/b308/GaytorHater703/LSUJerseyPatches.jpg

Your login name is lame but those two pieces are sweet!! That PP picture looks awesome.. did you make the patches piece or did you buy it like that?

[cohibasmoker]

My replica Rams helmet. I'll probably never own an authentic gamer but since I bought it for a fraction of what an authentic gamer would cost, it fits in just fine with the rest of my collection.

Jim

flaa1a@comcast.net

[gaytorhater703]

I did both pieces myself.....i since jerseys are my thing....i thought it would be cool to collect the patches that we have worn....i still have a lot to find so the patches might outgrow that frame.....but for now it works fine....i was going to try to find a cheap white jersey and cut it up and use it as the back matting...so it looks like the patches are on a jersey...but i ended up using the yellow backing b/c all my jerseys are framed with that color backing....so the room flows together.....thanks for the nice comments!!!!!!

[spartanservitto]

A couple more things...

Mark Mcgwire 16X20, photo doesnt do justice... and Norm Cash 8X10.

[rangersfan1214]

I just purchased this and its already my favorite autographed item!!

Blake Griffin Upper Deck Authenticated autographed jersey

[tigerdale]

Lou Whitakers 1983 March of Dimes Tiger of the year award & Whitakers 1992 lifetime achievement award as the only second baseman other than Joe Morgan (at the time) to have 2000 hits, 2000 games & 200 home runs at second base. Sorry for blurred photo.

[spartanservitto]

Dale, love the whitaker piece, I want to get a bat someday of him... Nice to add to the trammels I have.

-Tony

[Shipp_96]

Tigerdale,

Those are some sweet, personalized trophies to Lou Whitaker! If you do not mind me asking, did you acquire these directly from the player?

Not a Tigers fan at all (they knocked my A's out of their only real shot at a World Series in the 2000's :p), but those are some really nice pieces.

[tigerdale]

Dale, love the whitaker piece, I want to get a bat someday of him... Nice to add to the trammels I have.

Thank you Tony!!!

Those are some sweet, personalized trophies to Lou Whitaker! If you do not mind me asking, did you acquire these directly from the player?

Not a Tigers fan at all (they knocked my A's out of their only real shot at a World Series in the 2000's :p), but those are some really nice pieces.

Lou had someone sell his personal items a few years back....I could have had them signed by Lou, but said I'd rather have them unsigned when I got them. Also, I think 2006 was a good year...

[3arod13]

Well in honor of the steelers making it to the super bowl for the 3rd time in the big ben era.I am going to post my favorite items in my steelers room.And dont worry "2000mvpfan" i will also post a giambi item.As we would'nt be giambi fans if we didnt do it.

The framing of the tickets really looks awesome! I really like that piece!

[jobathenut]

Yeah i love that piece also.Its one of the centerpieces of my steelers room.And even though i am selling off my steelers collection.Thats one peice i will never sell as it was one of the last christmas gifts my dad gave me before he passed away.As for the piece its for the last season at 3 rivers stadium,and they also did one for the first season at heinz but my parents bought me this as they knew i would love it more saying i was at that last game.
The framing of the tickets really looks awesome! I really like that piece!

[LastingsMilledge85]

I dug up this old thread (even have a Giambi in there) and have to say it got me thinking. No doubt, my favorite non game used items (even more so than my many signed NFL and NCAA helmets) were my Oakland A's stadium give away bobble-heads! When I think of the hours I spent waiting for these, I'm sure (my then girlfriend, now wife) wishes she could kill me. But, my best memories are of her and I inline, having hours to talk about whatever and really getting to know each other.

Sadly, these were not even all of them pictured. I also had Dave Stewart, Carney Lansford, Reggie Jackson, Mark Kotsay, Chavez six time gold glove winner, Rich Harden, Dennis Eckersley, Mark Ellis, Vida Blue, Jason Kendall and Bobby Crosby. The shame is most of them I got signed either at the stadium or at various appearances around the Bay.

But, when we relocated from Cali back to my home on the east coast, I was so petrified they would be broken upon shipping and then worthless to anyone, I sold them all to a local sports dealer. One of my few sells that I regret to this day. That is our dog, Zena in the picture. After 14 years, she is still thankfully around!

Nice to see someone else collects SGA bobble heads.

[jobathenut]

LASTINGS-I used to love to collect sga bobbles and all sga items.Heres some photos of some of the items and some other baseball items....

[fattyc01]

These are probably my favorite two items. The Mantle UDA was one of the first pieces I ever got, and it really was one of the main things that got me collecting autographs. The Rose ESPN cover I got in person at the Sun Times Show during his rookie year and is a 30X36 blow up ESPN Cover.

[tigerdale]

a couple more pieces....a tiffany crystal piece the Angels gave Ernie Harwell for his retirement in 2002 & a clock the angels gave Harwell during his first retirement in 1991.

[Dach0sen0ne]

Dale, awesome pieces once again. Very cool items!

[Shipp_96]

Nice to see someone else collects SGA bobble heads. and @ jobathenut (http://www.gameuseduniverse.com/vb_forum/member.php?u=3811),

I also had so many of those A's SGAs. I had some figurines they were doing for awhile of Chavez and Reggie Jackson, but they were a "likeness" at best. I also would get the magnet schedules, free caps, t-shirts, etc.

My ALL TIME favorite one, the one I actually managed to keep, was when they gave out a replica 1989 WS Champions ring (shown here).

Now, this thing is SWEET. Came in a lined box, is made of metal, heavy, and outside of the Cubic zirconias, as opposed to real diamonds, they look like the real deal. So much so I met Carnie Lansford at the annual Hot Cocoa Days (the BEST A's promotion they had), and while he was signing my aforementioned bobble-head, a bunch of fellow A's fans where wearing these give away rings (not me, because I am not THAT much of a geek, just a minor one-as my wife reminds me). Carney saw those, flashed his real deal, compared them, and I'll be if they were not spot on reproductions; minus the real diamonds. Even he was impressed by them!

[rangersfan1214]

Speaking of rings. This is one of my favorite non GU piece

[rangersfan1214]

On the ring. It's a replica of the Steelers 2008 ring. It's HEAVY!!

[Shipp_96]

Speaking of rings. This is one of my favorite non GU piece

Man, now THAT is nice! Is that real, or a replica? How did you acquire it, either way, if you don't mind?

[rangersfan1214]

Its a replica. I purchased it online. I figured you would like it, being a steeler fan!

[Dach0sen0ne]

I love signed tickets and here is a few I have handy and the replica 2009 Yankees WS ring my wife got me for xmas.

[nycsports]

I'm a big fan of John McEnroe, so among my favorite non GU items are:

1. Handwritten Note
2. McEnroe tennis cards
3. A pic of McEnroe and me when I met him in NYC in 2009.

[Shipp_96]

Those are some pretty sweet McEnroe items, especially the picture, nycsports! Is he as cantankerous to his fans as he was to the line judges (LOL)?

I'm sure honestly sure he is probably the opposite, which I find in many athletes away from the heat of the game.

[rangersfan1214]

These 2 items are some of my favorite team autographed items I have.. I know there are quite a few Cowboys and Huskers fans on this site

1st.. A 2009-10 Dallas Cowboys team autographed football

2nd.. A 2010-11 Nebraska football full size helmet autographed by the entire team including Helu, Martinez, Denard, Lavonte David

Comments on authenticity are welcome

[bigtruck260]

We were at a bar in St. Charles on the night that the Cardinals beat the Mets in the 2006 NLCS...and we heavy into some adult beverages. When Adam Wainwright slammmed the door on Carlos Beltran, the place (which is huge - and was packed) went nutty. At our table were six bigger than normal guys...and we literally accidentally CRUSHED our table to the floor from leaning, hugging, etc.

Since I lived the closest, I grabbed a souvenir - one of the legs of our table. It's signed by everyone who was there. One of the best memories of baseball I have as an adult.

[frikativ54]

We were at a bar in St. Charles on the night that the Cardinals beat the Mets in the 2006 NLCS...and we heavy into some adult beverages. When Adam Wainwright slammmed the door on Carlos Beltran, the place (which is huge - and was packed) went nutty. At our table were six bigger than normal guys...and we literally accidentally CRUSHED our table to the floor from leaning, hugging, etc.

Since I lived the closest, I grabbed a souvenir - one of the legs of our table. It's signed by everyone who was there. One of the best memories of baseball I have as an adult.

Haha. That's a neat item and a memory you will never forget. :D

[nycsports]

Those are some pretty sweet McEnroe items, especially the picture, nycsports! Is he as cantankerous to his fans as he was to the line judges (LOL)?

I'm sure honestly sure he is probably the opposite, which I find in many athletes away from the heat of the game.

Thanks for the compliments on my John McEnroe items! When I met McEnroe, he was signing free autographs at a tennis store in NYC. And luckily, he was the total opposite of how he acted towards line judges. Haha! He was very polite as he had a few words with each of his fans and stood up and posed for pictures with them as well. It seems like McEnroe cares a lot about his fans, as well as promoting the game of tennis.

[Shipp_96]

That's great to hear that he was cool to you and all of his fans. McEnroe is a legend, a guy that transcends his sport, period.

[Canseco44]

This would have to be my favorite non GU item. A personal check from Canseco made out to me for $1.00! Great conversation piece.

[mlupo]

This would have to be my favorite non GU item. A personal check from Canseco made out to me for $1.00! Great conversation piece.

That's a great piece, how did you manage to get him to write you a check?

[Dach0sen0ne]

This would have to be my favorite non GU item. A personal check from Canseco made out to me for $1.00! Great conversation piece.

That is a really cool and unique piece. :D

[Canseco44]

Long story.... This was back in 04 right before his book was about to come out. He had started a website and wanted to put some items for sale on the site to generate traffic such as signed cards and stuff. I had a huge collection of Canseco cards on ebay and a guy claiming to be his agent emailed me asking if I would sell to them directly. Long story short, I gave him about $250 worth of cards, which he autographed and sold on his website, for this check and a game used D Rays bat and one of the first signed copies of his book Juiced. It was my idea to get the check because I had a Fleer payroll check of his and thought, how many people actually have a signed personal check from the player they collect mad out to them?

Todd

[stdrwt11]

Here are a few of mine I have collected over the years. All autos actually look really sharp (bad camera) other than the RB football where the autos are fading.

Nolan Ryan 16x20 signed photo with 4 inscriptions: HOF 1999, 5714 Strikeouts, 7 No Hitters, Don't Mess With Texas!

NFL full sized replica helmet signed by: Troy Aikman 3x SB CHAMPS, Jim Kelly HOF 02, Drew Brees John 8:32, Warren Moon 9x Pro Bowl, Joe Montana 3x SB MVP, John Elway Comeback Kid, Peyton Manning SB XLI MVP

3000 Hit bat on Rawlings Big Stick signed by: Pete Rose 4256 Hits (and he dotted the i in Big Stick), Craig Biggio 3060 Hits, Paul Molitor 93 WS MVP, Dave Winfield Winfield Wants Noise, Eddie Murray STEADY EDDIE, Robin Yount MVP 82,89, Tony Gwynn 15x All Star, Cal Ripken Jr Ironman

Craig Biggio 3000 Hit shadow box with signed ball, signed card with a piece of jersey and bat, and 2 tickets from his 3000 hit game

Replica Batting Helmet signed by: Johnny Bench 10x Gold Glove, Carlton Fisk 75 WS Gm 6 GW HR Stay Fair! Stay Fair!, Ernie Banks MR CUB Let's Play Two, Frank Robinson 2x MVP, Mike Schmidt 3x MVP, Reggie Jackson Mr. October 5x WS Champ, Ryne Sandberg 9x GG

White Panel Football signed by: Gale Sayers HOF 77, Eric Dickerson HOF 99, Marcus Allen 85 NFL MVP, Marshall Faulk 2000 NFL MVP, Earl Campbell HOF 91, Jim Brown 2x MVP HOF 71

[gameused]

Here's a favorite of mine. Joe Dimaggio autographed jersey numbered 1/56 for his 56 game hitting streak.

Thank's, Bobby
hawaii_five0@yahoo.com

[RRexpressfan94]

I dont have pictures of the two items now, but they are what got me started on collecting. In July of 07 my uncle was diagnosed with melanoma skin cancer. Living in Austin, (about 3 hours from Houston, where he lived) my family and I were making trips down there almost every weekend to hang out with him and our cousins as his cancer got worse and worse. At this time I was 12-13 years old and I loved being down there. One day when he was on his computer in his office he called me in there and I began to look at the walls and shelfs of memorabilia he had. Most of it was just stuff he acquired from players on his own during his years of being the head of Astros security. He started to tell me about some of the stuff and how he got it, and showed me a video of Barry Bonds hitting his 71st HR in 2001 and how you can see him in the video making sure no one runs on the field. After a little while he opened up a drawer and handed me Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio rookie cards and said I could keep them. At this time this was my only things I had in my collection other then a couple of baseballs i got from Round Rock over the years. A few months later he passed away and left all of his items to his physco wife. After the funeral we did not speak with her anymore due to reasons I would rather not say, but after a few months I found out most of the baseball items were supposed to go to me according to what my Uncle had said but his wife decided ebay and craigslist were a better fit for them. Because of that, I decided that I would start collecting in honor of him, and as you can see, it has just snowballed from there.

[2x_beckett_super_collector]

I am a huge Nolan Ryan collector and have appeared in Beckett mag two times with my collection. I once lived two streets over from the late MLB umpire Durwood Merill. He and Nolan were really good friends and he welcomed me to his home were I was able to purchase some nice things from him, but unfortunately I never obtained any Ryan GU items due to him passing away one week before our next set meeting.
That was many years ago, but just a year ago I found my Holy Grail Ryan item! Most of you Ryan collectors probably know of the Bronze Memories hand cast that Ryan was molded for but some may not know of the Noll hand cast session that he did before that. In 1986 Robin and Paul Noll contracted Nolan to do a life cast of his face and hand holding a baseball. The method they used to mold his hand actually used a rubber and plaster cast. Unlike the Brinze memories cast which his hand was dipped in a mold, leaving no original mold in the end.
The Noll's sell these hands and faces on e bay now. After many e mails several phone calls and a year of contact, I was able to obtain the original hand cast that was used! I have %100 positively photo matched it to the one on Ryan's hand! The best thing is, the rubber mold still contains about 40 of Ryan's arm hairs and roots that were pulled out during the process ! I own Nolan Ryan's DNA lol! That sounds weird to most, but for the biggest Ryan fan, it's amazing!
Just thought I would share my story. I wish I knee how to get pictures on here. I'm new to all of this and I'm doing it via my phones. Any suggestions? Also, does anyone know of a professional service that will do a photo match authentication for me? I once met with Nolan to have him inscribe it as the mold he used. Although he was sure it was, he said he couldn't invasive it unless it was authenticate by a professional. Thanks everyone!

[schillingfan]

Personal check written by Schilling to pay for an eBay auction he won
http://www.curtschillingcollector.com/images/Memorabilia/Check.jpg
Mailing envelope it was sent in
http://www.curtschillingcollector.com/images/Memorabilia/Envelope.jpg

I got this signed in person this past fall
http://www.curtschillingcollector.com/images/Memorabilia/Autographed%2016x20%20Large.JPG