Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

[Swoboda4]

Re: Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

I think the idea of this thread is to SHOW what item of yours is believed to be HOF worthy. When it was mentioned early on that this is a great thread,it was in anticipation of some interesting photos to come. Not to debate whether there is a loan policy in effect at the HOF.

[sayhey24]

Re: Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

No problem sharing my story, although it's not too exciting. I'm just a collector who noticed back when the Hall put together an exhibit highlighting Ichiro breaking George Sisler's hit record, that they used a replica or post career Sisler bat in the display (it was identified as such -- I just can't remember which it was). At the time I mentioned to someone there that I had a Sisler gamer and would have gladly loaned it. I contacted the Hall after the Southworth/Gossage/Williams election and offered bats of all three, and they asked for the two.
My guess is the loans primarily are accepted for the displays of new inductees-- those displays are temporary -- they're only up for one year until the next group of new inductees is honored.

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Greg

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

OK...no big surprize here.

Found a copy of my old email. It's the exact same "generic" response that the Hall apparently sends to everyone who inquires or emails them in regards to donations or "loans"....

I will post the pics of the actual copies, and also provide pdf links which are much easier to read.

I have blacked out my address and home phone number for obvious reasons.

First, actual photos of the email, then pdf links:

[staindsox]

Re: Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

I also wanted to comment on a library/museum's perspective on donations. At first glance, it looks like a good deal. After all, they're getting something for free, right? A lot of people don't see quite how expensive each donation can be.

Let's take something simple like a book. It costs at least $50-100 for most places to accept a title.

1) They would have a professional cataloger examine it and create and entry with appropriate classifications and housing location (what use is it if nobody can find it). Even if a cataloger spends 20 minutes with it, that adds up fast.

2) Security features are added; like taddle tape or microembossing. The books might be processed with a spine label and it might also be encased in a mylar type plastic or get its own archival box. You're paying someone to do all of that, plus the cost of materials.

3) Then they house it in a climate controlled vault. They only have a certain amount of square footage. The space it uses is an expense.

4) I don't know what kind of insurance they have, but each addtional item would in theory cost them more here too. Of course this is particularly relevant if the item is of significant value.

If you wanted to really get granual and start talking about other expenses, your cataloging software, online catalog, computers/server/etc, and security systems are also costs.

Anyway, I won't argue each expense. Some are a matter of accounting and depreciation and I'm sure I left other costs out, but the general point is, each donation is expensive. That is why they really only try to take items to fill holes in their collection. Even if you have a fantastic item worthy of their collection, they might not take it if they already have something like it.

Chris

[Swoboda4]

Re: Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

Only two I think. Detroit's Davy Jones letter to author Lawrence Ritter thanking him for sharing profits from his book,"The Glory of Their Times"



And dykstra's 1986 post season home jersey:

[xpress34]

Re: Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

This is an FYI ONLY!!! I am NOT siding with anyone here because I know that ALL Rules have an Exception. I'm simply stating the AVAILABLE facts for facts sake, so PLEASE - do not 'thank me' for 'backing' anyone... I'm just trying to navigate another thread that has headed off the tracks back on course.

I'm sure somewhere in the By Laws of the HOF, they too make exceptions to their own rules. That said, this is from the HOF's website about making a DONATION. No where does it mention being able to make a LOAN or them accepting loans. It does address the fact however that DONORS of 3 Dimensional artifacts will recieve a LIFETIME PASS and a Donors Certificate.

(As to why no one else could have copied and pasted this before is beyond me... I think members here just like to argue with each other for the sake of arguing and this thread has become another example of that.)

http://community.baseballhall.org/Page.aspx?pid=374

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Donate an Artifact

Gifts of objects associated with baseball's history are essential to the growth and educational potential of the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum and artifacts are actively sought. Past donations have provided the Museum with the outstanding collection that continues to appeal to all generations from varied backgrounds throughout the world.
There are, however, many great stories from the past and present which need acknowledgment in Cooperstown. The Hall of Fame acquires appropriate objects for its collection solely through gifts from the general public and amateur and professional baseball organizations. Baseball enthusiasts and historians are always welcome to contribute to the Museum's holdings and become an active participant in the Hall of Fame's future.
All objects submitted for acquisition are reviewed by members of the Museum's Accessions Committee, which is charged with accepting only those items of historic significance which support the Museum's education and exhibit programs. Only after this group gives its approval do submitted objects become registered artifacts.
If you own an object that is part of our pastime's history, and you would be interested in sharing it with fans everywhere, not only at the present time, but for generations to come, the Hall of Fame would like to hear from you. To ensure that the Accessions Committee has all the information it needs to properly evaluate your proposed donation, please be sure to submit the following information:

• A photograph of the object
• A brief description of the piece, including dimensions
• All available information on the age and origin of the object
• Potential donor's name, address and phone number
• Any other information about the history of the object

All proposals are welcome in hopes you will join the Hall of Fame in preserving the heritage and future of the national pastime. Proposals may be addressed to:
Registrar
National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
25 Main Street
Cooperstown, NY 13326
Although the Museum and its staff are prohibited from providing appraisals of any object, donations to the Museum may be tax deductible to the extent of the full fair market value of the objects donated. In addition, donors of three-dimensional artifacts will receive a lifetime pass to the Museum and a donor's certificate. Library donors will receive a certificate of donation.

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I hope this puts this issue to rest so that the thread can get back on topic. I would like to see other people's items that they believe might be 'Hall Worthy', not more of this same ole', same ole' drivel that seems to infect every thread here lately.

- Chris

[yanks12025]

Re: Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

The only things that the hall may want are 3 posters that i have. No one really knows what they were made for. But experts believe they were made in 1926 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National League. I have seen only 2-3 copys of each team that i have. Also i did bring one up to the HOF before and they said they had never seen them before.

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

Just to correct a statement made above, the HOF does indeed take items on loan. After the election of Dick Williams and Goose Gossage, the Hall borrowed a bat of each from my collection for one year. In the display case right next to my Williams bat was a beautiful Billy Southworth flannel, on loan from a prominent uniform collector. A year or two before, a couple of incredibly rare Negro League game bats were on display and described as on loan from a New Jersey collector. I also recall seeing several Joe Gordon items on display right now that I believe were on loan from the Gordon family (according to the small placards in the display case).

Greg

So Greg,

PLEASE.....share the story with us?

How did the Hall of Fame come to take your two bats on "loan"? What made the "connection"? Did you contact them after reading of a certain display that was up and coming? (Williams and Goose)? How did this all come about? Or...and I mean this.....are you someone who has friends in high places at the Hall? Are you an ex-ballplayer? What circumstance led your two bats to be loaned to the Hall?

I really am sincerely interested in knowing. Thanks in advance for your response.

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

I know for a fact that Ty Cobb's false teeth were on loan and not actually part of the Hall's collection when they had a small wing displaying a portion of Barry Halper's collection. It is extremely rare for the Hall to only take an item as a loan.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vau...2686/index.htm

Well, more sanity hits the board.

Thank you staindsox for the clarity.

This once again proves.....as anyone who sets policies and standards in the world we live in, it's up to them to follow their own rules, if and when they want to. Obviously......rules and policies don't mean squat anymore, because they are totally subjective.....to whatever the powers to be want.

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

a few years back, I offered some items on loan to them. They replied w/ a letter, wanting only one of the items, it was the final ball pitched to a tigers hitter in tiger stadium (w/ a letter from jeff montgomery who was the pitcher). The letter had a fed ex number, I believe, with a prepaid shipping number...but the letter stated in was a donation. I replied back w/ a copy of the original letter, stating it was on a loan only condition.
I never sent the ball. Someday I'll run across the copy of their letter & post it...kind of cool to keep w/ the ball though...

Hey!!....tigerdale.......Yo, whaddup, MAN!!???

THANKS for BACKING ME UP!!!!




By the way, if you HAD sent the ball......you'd have caught HELL trying to get it back. But the reality is they would have refused it if you hadn't "signed" the "donation" letter.......because they don't do loans as I understand it.....

......unless of course you are one of the privilaged "friends", or rich baseball players of the recent years......LOL

[staindsox]

Re: Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

LOL.....I get such a kick out of this "forum".

Erroneous remark?

Why don't YOU, ironmanfan, and sayhey24, back up your claims with something other than just hearsay.

Understand, the world hasn't been following any standards for a LONG time, and all I have to go by is what I was told, by the Hall of Fame themselves. I have no control over "favors" being done to the Hall by players themselves, or privilaged individuals who have worked some kind of a side-show deal to "loan" their "item", whatever the F it is to the Hall who apparently is like ever other Government run or BIG-BIZ-like run company......full of FRAUD, and full of SHIT.

I will find the damn email I was sent by them essentially telling me, if it isn't a gift, no thanks.

NO WHERE in the letter did they mention a "loan" was any kind of a possibility. THAT'S WHAT I WAS ASKING THEM....IF THEY WANTED IT ON LOAN!!!

I know what they TOLD ME their policy was, because I actually followed it up with a phone call, and spoke to a super nice gentlemen 8 years ago. I did not record the phone call, and I don't remember his name, but whogaf? I am not here to constantly feel like every time I share something, or tell YOU guys something I have been told by the very people YOU are referring to, I am called out as giving mis-information, making wrong statements, or as ironmanfan so cutely put it....an "erroneous remark".

Then, like a wounded little soul, he finds it necessary to thank another member for the "back-up" proving that he is correct about calling my comments an "erroneous remark".

Are you guys serious? REALLY?


It's no wonder Bob (skyking) threw the towel in on this forum. It just gets to the point where there's no reason any longer to run with the lambs.

If you, ironmanfan, for any reason felt I was "attacking" the essence of your thread, then you missed the boat entirely. I read your thread, obviously interested in it, and posted accordingly. I'm really sorry if the "essence" of my comment upset you.

I know for a fact that Ty Cobb's false teeth were on loan and not actually part of the Hall's collection when they had a small wing displaying a portion of Barry Halper's collection. It is extremely rare for the Hall to only take an item as a loan.

http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/vault/article/magazine/MAG1022686/index.htm

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

They dont give too much space for any one individual it seems. Heres a photo of the Rickey Henderson HOF display. They were able to fill much of it from the donation from Rickey himself. I imagine the preference is from the Player then the team and then other items if they deem it necessary to fill up the case. I guess it cuts down on any research of the items provenance and any liability. I have read stories of items being stolen from the HOF Museum.

Joel,

This sounds totally logical, and was exactly what I thought the circumstances were in regards to items in the Hall. But....I was told otherwise........BY the Hall.

So if there are items there displayed as "On loan..." then I am disappointed to say they gave me very much the wrong impression when they responded to my VERY question on this subject, written and verbally. If they just didn't want the item I was offering for "loan", why not just say so?

This is a good example why people grow tired of all the lies, the misinformation, and the B.S. and become cynical about life in general. There are motives behind everything, and integrity and morals are nowhere to be found in this world we live in any longer. Maybe, the guy on the phone thought I'd have a temporary mental lapse and give him my Babe Ruth very last career at-bat game used bat as a "gift" to the Hall because ......"We don't take loans" would have hurt my feelings that they weren't interested in it......so he gave it a shot? LOL.

I don't have any problem with disagreements on any comments made here, by myself or anyone. We all have our opinions. But my comments were not erroneous in ANY way. To be subtlely attacked by guys who either have player friends who are shown special circumstancial preferences, or they know of a few "special deals" that have occured, doesn't make you instantly "wrong".

Whatever, I could care less. I will post the damn email when I get home so you guys can have more fun.

[33bird]

Re: Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

I mostly have Big Red Machine stuff, but these two items might have a chance: Jeff Kent 2004 NLCS game 5 walk off HR bat (assuming he makes it-which he should). And Bill Russell's 1960s shorts with #6 sewn in. I haven't seen a better Kent game used item and I don't think there's a lot of Bill Russell stuff out there, but I could be wrong.

[xpress34]

Re: Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

2001 game-used bat, vintage signed and dated (only dated rookie bat I’ve seen; if anyone has seen another I’d be very interested to hear).

Rick -

Very nice bat! While not GU, I have a ball that Albert signed for me early in 2002 when the Cards were in town to play the Rox.

At the time, I was working Loss prevention for Niketown Denver and as part of my job, I escorted every player that came to the store. I got to spend almost 4 hours with Albert and when he was done and was checking out, I took my lunch break, ran across the street to the Rockies dugout store, bought a ball, and came back to the Pavilions Mall and caught Albert as he was leaving Nike. Nobody really knew who he was here yet and he was very polite and signed the ball along with a ROY inscription. While I have seen his ROY on many GU items (I own a hat), I have NEVER seen another ROY inscribed ball with his early sig.



Like yourself with your bat, if anyone else has a ROY inscribed ball from the 2001 - 2002 period, I would love to see it.

- Chris

[suicide_squeeze]

Re: Any Item In Your Collection HOF Worthy?

Yes Rick, they do still offer lifetime memberships with free lifetime admission if you donate an item to them.


OK GUYS.......FIRE AWAY!