Re: Gino Cappaletti 1960 Helmet??
Once I figured out who this guy is, I know of him and have spoken to him on the phone in the past. I don't beleive he is purposely trying to rip anybody off, he believes it is legit. He told me a story about a disgruntled employee stealing it and hiding it away for years before selling it to a collector. The seller is a bit eccentric and paranoid, but not a bad guy.
The original equipment manager ended up disgruntled because he was fired, but that was well after 1960. Gino was a defensive player and kicker in 1960, he did not move to wide receiver until 1961. The supposed thief would have had no idea he was going to be so big.
As for the Curator from the Pats, I know him personally and was the one who contacted him about this helmet. He came to the Patriots from the NFL Hall of Fame and he knows his stuff. The Patriots have Jim Nance's original uniform to include the helmet from 1960. and that is the only known helmet left in existance.
He is going to talk to Gino personally and see if he remembers having his helmet stolen during the season as this guy claims. In those days, players didn't have spares laying around. So chances are he'll remember.
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Re: Gino Cappaletti 1960 Helmet??
I just got a reply from the seller. Here it is:
hello Jim, it was not a helmet lamp. the helmet lamps are the riddell tk style helmets, not the rt-2 rk style helmets. this has the flared ears. and yes it does have the suspension.the helmet lamps have a big hole on top I have many of those. this does not. there are 6 holes not 32. i am sorry, I did not even want to post the picture I did. I am afraid that someone is going to use this helmet as a reference to do a reproduction and then make mine worthless if I don't sell it and then someone put a fake in a big auction house. no one has a good picture of this helmet. I was trying to be scared by the new england patriots curator into saying he has the only 1960 helmet and it is a spaulding, they did not use riddell. then he tells me he was just trying to fill me out or something and then says the patriots do not even have a 60's helmet. i am sorry, but too many idiots in this business and waiting to cash in on something. I OFFER TO ANYONE WHO WANT TO COME HERE AND SEE THE HELMET. BRING CASH AND NO PHOTOS. AFTER I GET A FAIR PRICE THEY CAN POST THE PICS ON THE WORLD WIDE WEB AND WEEP. THANK YOU & GOD BLESS, TONY
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From:
To:
Subject: Re: You've received a question about your eBay item, AFL 1960 New England Boston Patriots Suspension helmet
Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2009 19:08:24 -0500
Hi - thanks for getting back to me. I ask because I want to be sure that this helmet wasn't a helmet lamp at one time. While I have your ear, how many air-holes are there? Is the suspension webbing still intact? Is the helmet a Riddell Kra Lite helmet? And finally, could a scan of the top of the helmet either sent to me or added to the auction? It would be very helpful. Thanks.
It seems like a very nice helmet but before I bid, I'd like to know exactly what I am bidding on.
Thanks,
Jim
----- Original Message -----
From:
To:
Sent: Thursday, January 22, 2009 5:49 PM
Subject: RE: You've received a question about your eBay item, AFL 1960 New England Boston Patriots Suspension helmet
shape of the airhole? they are round and there is more than one! what are you talking about?Leave a comment:
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Re: Gino Cappaletti 1960 Helmet??
Here are a few photos that might help. Compare the eBay offered helmet to these photos of actual Patriots 1960's helmets. Notice that the white border accent line along the top of the Patriots hat decal appear not to be the same lenght on the eBAy helmet as on the actual game worn helmets. Also note the placement of the rivits near the single bar facemask on the eBay helmet vs the actual single bar game used helmet. Lastly it appears that the deacal on the actual game used helmet is slightly narrower from top to bottom than the eBay helmet. There may be some other differences but these 3 caught my eye.Attached FilesLeave a comment:
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Re: Gino Cappaletti 1960 Helmet??
Hi - I would be interested in seeing what the top of the helmet looks like - in particular, the airhole. I sent the seller this request. If he answers, I'll let everyone know.
Before I bid, could you either send me a scan or post a scan of the top of the helmet? I am interested to see the shape of the airhole on the top of the helmet. Thanks
JimLeave a comment:
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Re: Gino Cappaletti 1960 Helmet??
Maybe this does not mean anything but look at the guys feedback 2 of his recent purchases have been Old Blank Helmets. Maybe it does not mean anything maybe it does. I just find it very strange that he wont send more pics. And his overall tone in the listing is not friendly. Take it for what it's worth.Leave a comment:
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Re: Gino Cappaletti 1960 Helmet??
With out more pics I would be cautious. The person says they don't send photos to picture collectors? One side view, no back view, no interior view? I dont know might be great but need more info.Leave a comment:
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Gino Cappaletti 1960 Helmet??
Anybody have thoughts on this one? I asked for pictures of the webbing and maybe some better lighting, no response.
I talked with the curator of the Patriots museum. he is suspicious, mainly becuse of the lack of wear, but also the only 1960 helmet he has is a Spaulding worn by Jim Nance. I know players wear different helmets now, but this was a low budget team.
Any thoughts?
Leave a comment: