THE NATION’S BEST PUBLICATION ABOUT AUTOGRAPHED INSIDE !"!#!Made in China jerseys taken !!!!!$!#!Dream championship game Sweet Spot !!!!!%!# Rose confession fails to sell !"#"$%"&'()*(+,-./-&0'()*1''2'3456'()7''.46''1 !!!!!%!#!Ruth bat: $253,000

SUBSCRIBE / ADVERTISE / CHARGE IT 1-512-708-1999 !&!#!Texas HOF guests www.sweetspotnews.com 12 !""Big shows for the new year

ON THE BALL Mastro plans guilty plea Bill Mastro is expected to ac- knowledge at a newly scheduled THE ART WITH hearing in February that he altered the world’s most valuable , a that has fetched millions of dollars in a !"#$"!% &'% ($)(*+#&,-"% .#/0!/1.$&0!2% COLLECTING including a 1991 sale for $451,000 to NHL legend Wayne Gretzky and former Los Angeles Kings owner Bruce McNall. Its latest sale was to owner Ken Kendrick, who paid a record $2.8 AUTOGRAPHS million for the card. Many sports art­ He, too, found As reported Nov. 30 by Michael ists, blessed with a market with O’Keefe of the New York Daily technical gifts, be­ editions of seri­ News, Mastro’s case will be as- gan as commercial graphs, prints and signed to a new judge, federal artists or illustra­ any product that Judge Suzanne B. Conlon. Mas- would hold an im­ tro, who was indicted on a tors. Norman Rock­ of fraud in July — and accused well painted slices age. of trimming the world’s most ex- of American life Countless art­ pensive card — has al- for The Saturday ists have found ready signed a plea agreement Evening Post, Boys American life that changes the not-guilty plea he Life, Popular Sci­ and, more spe­ entered in July to guilty, according ence and other pub­ !"#!$%%&'()*+,-)($( .&% +/+"#!% ,-"3% $0% 4($1/)&% '"3"#/-% lications. His tight, popular subject court by the United States Attor- realistic paintings with a keenly in­ 0"56!% &',1"% '&#% 0&#.("#0% 7--$0&$!8% also found audienc­ terested audience. No reason was given for the judge popu­ change, The Daily News reported. es in the form of Prosecutors Nancy DePodesta posters, calendars, larized his images and Steven Grimes had asked the postcards and even Ron through Steele­ court to set a change of plea hear- puzzles. Perez Galleries and the Leaf­ ing for early February 2013. Mas- Naturally, a slice of that life addressed Card Company. tro’s attorneys support the request, sports. An icon was created. And so was Which brings us to Ron Lewis of the papers said. Michael Monico, a market. Pocatello, Idaho, whose Currier & Mastro’s attorney, told The Daily LeRoy Neiman, born LeRoy Leslie Ives­esque style brought him into the News that Mastro intends to re- Runquist, was a fashion illustrator be­ sports arena with its burgeoning auto­ solve the case without a trial and is fore doing work for Playboy magazine. graph industry. Autograph fans needed cooperating with the government. collectibles to sign, and when Stephen A federal Grand Jury handed In 1960, with televised sports captur­ down a 16-count indictment in July ing a global audience, Neiman found a Hisler organized autograph shows that that Mastro and former associates, vehicle for his fast, loose painting style saluted milestone clubs, Ron Lewis, Doug Allen and Mark Theotikos — the Olympics, Super Bowls, World doing his time in New York, actually a “routinely defrauded customers, , golf tournaments, Wimbledon. dozen years, found his way into cliques #$))"3%/91.$&0!%/03%$0:/."3%+#$1"!% His easel and signature moustache and of American sports heroes. paid by unwitting bidders,” The white suit became part of major Ameri­ “Sports is something I moved into,” Daily News reported. ! can sports events. See RON LEWIS on Page 7

! Sweet Spot 3 in NCAA Division I football history. A Italy sports museum sweater given to all football letterman upon TURIN, Italy — From the town that RaNdOm graduation, not the entire student body is gave us the mysterious shroud of Jesus being auctioned off in the Dec. 12 auction !"#$%&'()*+,%&-.%(&/0%$0#&"1&23".(%4& ThOuGhTs by Grey Flannel Auctions. The sweater is 5"6789&9*":$%&"8!$&0%$;&<+&/0=)##);& made of heavy, crimson wool long sleeve Ali are among 300,000 items on display turtle neck sweater with “1902” on front in in the 800 square meters of space in Ruppert, O’Day lead vets large felt numbers. The felt has turned to a >0.78,%&?*+#37!&2();70#4&/"%(&"1&(=$& Hank O’Day, Yankees owner shade of pink, presumably being white origi­ items in the exhibit come from the private and 19th Century ­ nally with the red from the sweater bleeding !"**$!(7"8&"1&?8".)("[email protected]%74&'8&);;7(7"8& Deacon White were elected during washing. There are several holes to Ali’s gloves and another set worn by to the National Baseball Hall of Fame by throughout the sweater, some of which have Roberto Cammarelle, an Olympic gold the Pre­Integration committee. They will be been repaired with a different colored thread. medalist in the Beijing games of 2008, joined by the Class of 2013, which will be ;96,$%%(4$81"#!61-'(+,"8"1$%(!+12"-"+1< the museum also features: voted by the Basebal Writers’ Aossication . A&>=$&:$%(&B".8&<+&C7:7"&5$..0(7D&9"*;& of America on Jan. 9. The 16­member Pre­ medalist in the 200 meters in the 1960 Integration Era Committee was composed Larsen-signed ‘56 program Rome Olympics; of HOF members , , A 1956 program and ticket A&@&=$*#$(&"8!$&B".8&<+&(=$&*)($&E".- Phil Niekro and Don Sutton, major league stubs signed by is on the block mula1 legend, Ayrton Senna; executives, media members and historians. at Heritage Auctions. The sale closes Dec. A&@&(.)!F&%07(&B".8&<+&/"("GH&.7;$.& . 30. The sale also includes an autograph page /).!"&27#"8!$**7&<$1".$&=7%&;$)(=&*)%(& Have crazier things happened? with and . year in a crash; and The were one crazy time for sports A lot of 20 game­used bats, some signed, A&?8$&"1&I7$9"&/).);"8),%&J)3"*7& memorabilia. A woman paid more than from such players as Manny Mota, Garry %=7.(%4 $8,000 for ’s false teeth. 3/6=#6%2'(>"?6(@$,8,+96'(A$!?(B%$,?($12( All told, the exhibit includes memo- Tennis legend and heartthrob Andre Agas­ Howard Johnson are for sale. A wide range rabilia from 200 athletes, including 50 sai revealed years after he retired that that of ­signed is also available. ?*+#7!&#$;)*7%(%4 mullet made of luscious blond hair actually . A was a wig. He even claimed that he’d lost Game 3, 1927 WS program /")(#,)-(0,$12(3%$4(56!$7)6(/6(-/+78/-( A 1927 World Series Collectors, pay your taxes the rag would fall off. A sports bar in New >=78F789&)<"0(&K0%(&8"(&3)+789&+"0.& Game 3 program, in which a York, nonetheless paid thousands for the home is on the block through Huggins ta6$%L&M$**D&(=78F&)9)784&N=.7%("3=$.& hairpiece.. O".F&"1&M)*B".(=&N"08(+D&M7%!4D&=);& & Scott Auctions. The sale closes Dec. 13. And who will ever forget that days after The sale also includes a 1896 dinner invita­ "B$;&PQRSDSSS&78&<)!F&()6$%&)8;&(=$& -+))"18(/")()6961-/($12(#1$%(1+:/"--6,(+1( IRS resorted to selling off 130 memo- tion signed by George Wright; and a ticket May 1, 1991, someone paid $25,000 for for on April 17, 1951, when .)<7*7)&7($#%&"8&J":4&T&("&=$*3&%$((*$& the jock strap that the strike king wore (=$&;$<(4&'8!*0;$;&78&(=$&)0!(7"8&B$.$& Mickey Mantle, the “Commerce Comet,” during that game. made his major league debut. He went 1­for­ )0("9.)3=$;&H)!F$.%&K$.%$+%&("&#";$*%& One more. Luis Gonzalez hit a homer run "1&C)#<$)0&E7$*;D&)&97)8(&<"<<*$&=$);& 4 in a 5­0 win over the Boston Red Sox. and scored the winning run that helped win . ;"**&"1&U78!$&C"#<).;7&)8;&"117!7)*& the 2001 World Series over the New York 1""(<)*%&1."#&203$.&5"B*%&QT&)8;&QR4 Yankees. Gonzo became part of Arizona lore Ozzie’s Gold Gloves:$519K Crystal Ferguson, a supervisor ap- and promoted one collector to pay $10,000 The Wizard, , sold his com­ praiser, told television reporters, “When for two pieces of Gonzo’s gum. the Arizona plete set of Gold Glove Awards for $519,203 in a SCP Auction that closed Dec. 2. He won a taxpayer does not pay their taxes, the Diamondbacks. -/6(*,6)-"8"+7)(C$D%"18)(#6%2"18($D$,2( .$:$80$&"1-!$.&)8;V".&()6&!"**$!(".&B7**& . 9"&"0(&)8;&%$7W$&(=$7.&)%%$(%4&M=$8&(=$+& from 1980 to 1992. Talk about domination %$7W$&(=$#D&B$&!"#$&78&)8;&%$**&(=$#4 Historic Harvard sweater at his position. Only one shortstop besides Ozzie won the award four years in a row. Taxpayers have a lot of rights that he Harvard’s football program is one of the Nope, not , who won three in a can exercise and there are several op- oldest in the world, having begun compet­ ing in the sport in 1873. The Crimson has a row. Yep, it was Dave Concepcion, who won (7"8%&1".&!"**$!(7"84&>=7%&7%&.$)**+&(=$& the award four consecutive years. A second legacy that includes 8 national champion­ *)%(&.$%".(&X&%$7W0.$DY&E$.90%"8&%)7;4 replica set of these awards, also produced by . ships and 20 Hall of Fame Rawlings, is on display at his restaurant in inductees and is the eighth winningest team the St. Louis area. ! ! Sweet Spot 4 Sweet Spot ZI'>?['@C Dream national championship matchup for collectors NEWS AND INFORMATION Charles Kaufman N"**$9$&1""(<)**&!"**$!(789&7%&)<"0(&("&$8K"+&)&%0.9$&78&3"30*).7(+4& Editor & Publisher Why? P.O. Box 26035 5$!)0%$D&*":$&\$#&".&=)($&\$#D&J"(.$&I)#$&7%&78&(=$&8)(7"8)*&!=)#37- Austin, Texas 78755 "8%=73&9)#$&B7(=&@*)<)#)4&278!$&!"**$!(".%&*":$&=7%(".+D&7(,%&9"789&("& e-mail: [email protected] <$&(7#$&("&(."(&"0(&)&*"89&*78$&"1&J"(.$&I)#$&9.$)(%D&78!*0;789&]$7%#)8& www.sweetspotnews.com B788$.%D&1)#$;&^0).($.<)!F%&)8;&!")!=$%D&)8;D&-8)**+D&(=$&E"0.&]".%$- A #$84&/)8(7&>$,"&B7**&(.+&("&);;&=7%&8)#$&("&%"&#)8+&9"*;$8&;"#$.%D&1."#& ADVERTISING C0K)!FD&C)((8$.&)8;&G09*7$*#7&("&]".8089D&/"8()8)D&>7#&5."B8&)8;&%"& 1-512-708-1999 #)8+&#".$4&'&%="0*;&8$:$.&=):$&9"(($8&%().($;&B7(=&8)#789&8)#$%4& A Collectors and the rest of the college football are about to relive the SUBSCRIPTIONS 9.$)(8$%%&"1&["!F8$D&H).%$9=7)8D&C$)=+D&I$:78$&)8;&]"*(W4&C""F&1".&8$B& To subscribe, send a check ;$#)8;&)(&)0("9.)3=&%="B%&)8;&)#"89&;$)*$.%4 or money order for $30 to the ?1&!"0.%$D&71&J"(.$&I)#$&*"%$%&("&@*)<)#)D&(=$&<)!F_("_<)!F&8)(7"8)*& above address. Sweet Spot is champion Crimson Tide will gush with equal glory for all of the players mailed to subscribers with First )8;&!")!=$%&1."#&(";)+&("&(=$&="08;%(""(=&=)(&$.)4 Class postage. Thank you! A >=$&J$B&O".F&`87!F%_J$B&a$.%$+&J$(%&B"0*;&)33$).&("&<$&)&87!$&78- ($.%()($& .7:)*.+D& <0(& 8"(=789& *7F$& (=$& 3"($8(7)*& "1& )& `87!F%_J$(%& .7:)*.+& LOOK ’EM UP <$(B$$8&)&!"03*$&"1&<"."09=%&)%&78&/)8=)(()8&)8;&5.""F*+84& 2"&1).D&(=$&)B)+&9)#$%&<$(B$$8&(=$&(B"&($)#%&78&5.""F*+8,%&5).!*)+& Sweet Spot’s N$8($.&)((.)!(&#".$&1)8%&1."#&(=$&#".$&3"30*"0%&<"."09=&B7(=&/);7%"8& All-Star Advertisers 2^0).$&G).;$84& @8;&(=$&`87!F%&9$).D&(=$&("3&%$**$.%&78&(=$&J5@D&=)%&#".$&!"*".&)8;& Heritage Sports Auctions 2 (.);7(7"84&?8$&B"0*;&=):$&(="09=(&(=$&*$)90$D&B7(=&7(%&1"!0%&"8&(=$&%)*$&"1& *7!$8%$;&7($#%&)8;&=73_*""F789&9$).D&B"0*;&=):$&!"#$&03&B7(=&%"#$(=789& Lew Lipset Auctions 3 #0!=&#".$&$%(=$(7!)**+&3*$)%789&(=)8&(=$&!0..$8(&J$(%&%(0114&E".&(=$&%)F$& "1&8"%()*97)D&!"0*;&5.""F*+8&=):$&<07*(&78&(=$&5&%"&*":789*+&;7%3*)+$;&<+& Back Issues 5 I";9$.%&1)8%L&?8$&B"0*;&(=78F&5.""F*+8&7%&)&3*)!$&(=)(,%&9"8$&<)!F&("& <*)!F_)8;_B=7($&($*$:7%7"8%4&M$&*7F$&(=."B<)!F&0871".#%&)%�!=&)%&(=$& Robert Edward Auctions 7 8$6(&1)8D&<0(&(=$.$,%&8"(=789&!*)%%7!&)<"0(&(=$%$&0871".#%4&C""F&1".&(=7%& Jeffrey Morey 10 boring design to give way to the Nets’ development as the resurgence of 5.""F*+8&!"8(780$%4 ! Gridiron Greats Magazine 10 Les Wolff, I.S.A. 11 Quality Autographs of Virginia 11 SUBSCRIBE TODAY! 20/3 Cornell & Finkelmeier 11 JUST $30 FOR 6 ISSUES Name: Send your check (made out to First-hand Authentication 11 Address: Kaufman Communications) to: City, State, ZIP: P.O. Box 26035 Hollywood Collectibles/Rich Altman 11 Austin, TX 78755 E-mail: Leland’s 11 Credit Card Number

SWEET SPOT is published six times a year by Kaufman Communications, Expiration Date P.O. Box 26035, Austin, Texas 78755. $30/year subscription; $5 an issue, ,#!.%1-/!!%+&!./)"%+/$38%4&+5#$)(.%;<=<%>5%?/9'@/0%4&@@90$1/.$&0!8% Material in this publication may not be reproduced in whole or in part without permission from Kaufman Communications. Questions? Call (512) 708-1999. Or Charge It! 1-512-708-1999 Sweet Spot: Look what you’ve missed Back Issues at $6 (postage paid) unless otherwise noted

_____ Volume 1, Number 1: Making a Market, $10 _____ Volume 11, Number 1: Battle of the Bats _____ Volume 1, Number 2: Fakes _____ Volume 11, Number 2: Seeking Certs _____ Volume 1, Number 3: Jordan Signs for Real _____ Volume 11, Number 3: Bad Autographs, Bad Blood _____ Volume 1, Number 4: Ozzie Sweet _____ Volume 11, Number 4: Negro League Update _____ Volume 1, Number 5: Autopens _____ Volume 11, Number 5: Mantle glove gets asterisk _____ Volume 1, Number 6: Negro League products _____ Volume 11, Number 6: ‘Judge’ weighs mistakes _____ Volume 2, Number 1: Sizing Up the market _____ Volume 12, Number 1: A Streak Bat? _____ Volume 2, Number 2: He’s Back/Joltin’ Joe _____ Volume 12, Number 2: Clemente Signature, $10 _____ Volume 2, Number 3: The Joe Jackson Signature _____ Volume 12, Number 3: Holy Night for Red Sox _____ Volume 2, Number 4: The Juice Signing in Jail _____ Volume 12, Number 4: Big Spenders _____ Volume 2, Number 5: _____ Volume 12, Number 5: Changing of the Guard _____ Volume 2, Number 6: Best/Worst Show Guests _____ Volume 12, Number 6: Making the Call _____ Volume 3, Number 1: Cal Ripken, Jr. _____ Volume 13, Number 1: Going Postal _____ Volume 3, Number 2: , $10 _____ Volume 13, Number 2: Nice Cache, FBI _____ Volume 3, Number 3: , $10 _____ Volume 13, Number 3: White Sox Champs _____ Volume 3, Number 4: Stadium Collectibles _____ Volume 13, Number 4: Halper Remembered _____ Volume 3, Number 5: _____ Volume 13, Number 5: OOPS, Upper Deck errs _____ Volume 3, Number 6: _____ Volume 13, Number 6: Managing Grandpa’s Stuff _____ Volume 4, Number 1: Bob Richards _____ Volume 14, Number 1: Value of Photo Matches _____ Volume 4, Number 2: Deacon Jones _____ Volume 14, Number 2: The Ruth Collector _____ Volume 4, Number 3: Frank Crosetti _____ Volume 14, Number 3: Hefty Heismans _____ Volume 4, Number 4: Team Balls _____ Volume 14, Number 4: Dodgers Aging Gracefully _____ Volume 4, Number 5: Hirschbeck Brothers _____ Volume 14, Number 5: Booted Off eBay _____ Volume 4, Number 6: , $10 _____ Volume 14, Number 6: _____ Volume 5, Number 1: 3rd Best/Worst Poll _____ Volume 15, Number 1: The Mathewson Signature _____ Volume 5, Number 2: Man of Letters _____ Volume 15, Number 2: Bearish on Bonds _____ Volume 5, Number 3: Dilbert Nails Hobby _____ Volume 15, Number 3: What Curse? _____ Volume 5, Number 4: Joe Jackson Appeal _____ Volume 15, Number 4: Just A Little Poke _____ Volume 5, Number 5: Going, Going, Gone _____ Volume 15, Number 5: Favre on Fire _____ Volume 5, Number 6: The Class of ‘99 _____ Volume 15,Number 6: Tough Autographs _____ Volume 6, Number 1: _____ Volume 16, Number 1: Yankee Stadium: Last Look _____ Volume 6, Number 2: McGwire Signatures _____ Volume 16, Number 2: Out of Juice (Simpson) _____ Volume 6, Number 3: Internet Auctions _____ Volume 16, Number 3: Worst Writing _____ Volume 6, Number 4: 70th, other HR Balls _____ Volume 16, Number 4: Artful Signatures _____ Volume 6, Number 5, Joe DiMaggio, $10 _____ Volume 16, Number 5: Takedown Artists _____ Volume 6, Number 6, Sons of Summer _____ Volume 16, Number 6: Mess at Museum _____ Volume 7, Number 1, HOF: Greatness Gathers _____ Volume 17, Number 1: Blotter Memorabilia _____ Volume 7, Number 2, Halper: End of an Empire _____ Volume 17, Number 2: Ted Williams Update _____ Volume 7, Number 3, Wilt, Sweetness _____ Volume 17, Number 3: Wrong Stadium Seats _____ Volume 7, Number 4, Ruth sigs on the Internet _____ Volume 17, Number 4: Grabbing Tail by the Tiger _____ Volume 7, Number 5, _____ Volume 17, Number 5: Rookie Mistakes _____ Volume 7, Number 6, Operation _____ Volume 17, Number 6: Race of Time _____ Volume 8, Number 1, Stock Market Effect _____ Volume 18, Number 1: Strasburg, hero or gamble? _____ Volume 8, Number 2, Lost & Found? _____ Volume 18, Number 2: Industry Gone Viral _____ Volume 8, Number 3, Shill Bidding _____ Volume 18, Number 3: Secretariat _____ Volume 8, Number 4, Joe DiMaggio Biography _____ Volume 18, Number 4: Jerry Grote _____ Volume 8, Number 5, The Maris Milestone _____ Volume 18, Number 5: FBI on the Scene _____ Volume 8, Number 6: Price Guides _____ Volume 18, Number 6: 1918 Cubs _____ Volume 9, Number 1: Golf Memorabilia _____ Volume 19, Number 1: Bert Sugar, Sugar and Spice _____ Volume 9, Number 2: _____ Volume 19, Number 2: Big Dividends and CLCT _____ Volume 9, Number 3: Differences of Opinion _____ Volume 19, Number 3: Post-strike collecting _____ Volume 9, Number 4: The Gianfriddo Glove _____ Volume 19, Number 4: Death, taxes: Effects on collectors _____ Volume 9, Number 5: Memorabilia Cards _____ Volume 19, Number 5: Collecting by the (Record) Book _____ Volume 9, Number 6: Rookies of the Year _____ Volume 19, Number 6: Time to Buy, Time to Sell _____ Volume 10, Number 1: .406 below zero _____ Volume 20, Number 1: How High Can Babe Fly? _____ Volume 10, Number 2: Rush for _____ Volume 20, Number 2: Rose Helps Goldin Return _____ Volume 10, Number 3: FBI’s sting on the Internet Volume _____ Volume, 10, Number 4: Forgers change places TOTAL ISSUES: ______Volume 10, Number 5: Ruth’s ‘30-’31 Contract? DOLLAR AMOUNT ______(Check dollar amounts) _____ Volume 10, Number 6: Mystery Ball SEND TO: ______Checks Payable to: Kaufman Communications, P.O. Box 26035 Austin, Texas 78755 ! Sweet Spot 6

(=)8&PTSRDSSS4&@8&)0!(7"8&)(&(=$&C"07%:7**$& Confession fails to sell 2*099$.&/0%$0#&30**$;&78&PRbQDSSS&1".&)& — WEST BERLIN, N.J T=$&3.7!$*$%%&H$($&["%$&%798$;&!"81$%- Auction 1924 Babe Ruth autographed professional sion fetched eight bids but failed to meet #";$*&<)%$<)**&<)(4&@8"(=$.&#)K".&="*;789& (=$&.$%$.:$&3.7!$&;0.789&G"*;78&@0!(7"8%,& of 20th Century baseball programs sold for 78)090.)*&%)*$4&>=$&7($#&=);&)&*7%($;̓#0#& Report #".$&(=)8&PcdDSSS4&@#"89&(=$&7($#%&(=)(& bid of $100,000 and an estimate between sold were: PbSDSSS&)8;&PTSSDSSS4&>=$&=79=$%(&3.7!$;& A&])..+&`)*)%&RSSd&H=7*);$*3=7)&H=7**7$%& [$;&N."%%&.$*7$1&$11".(&1".&]0..7!)8$&2)8;+& J)(7"8)*&C$)90$&N=)#37"8%=73&.789&1".& item that did sell was a Babe Ruth-signed :7!(7#%4&>=$&G"*;78&%)*$&9."%%$;&#".$&(=)8& <)(&1".&PRQDbcR4&@&Tdce&/$(%&M".*;&2$.7$%& $17,000; $800,000, the company reported in a state- A&@&]"80%&M)98$.&3."1$%%7"8)*&#";$*& .789&%"*;&1".&PRRDcfSg&)8;&/7!=)$*&a".;)8,%& #$8(4 game-worn jersey from the 1995-’96 cham- from the 1920s for $24,000; and 37"8%=73&%$)%"8&%"*;&1".&PRRDfTQ4&J".#&U)8& ! A&@&TdRi&O)8F$$%&($)#_%798$;&<)%$<)**& 5."!F*78,%&9)#$_0%$;&[)#%&=$*#$(&%"*;&1".& 1".&PRTDicS4 PTeDTSb4&@#"89&"(=$.&7($#%&(=)(&%"*;&B$.$h Ruth bat: $253,000 A& A&["9$.&2()0<)!=,%&9)#$_B".8&K$.%$+&1."#& — LOUISVILLE, KY. n autographed 1924 Babe Ruth pro ‘56 Aaron jersey: $30,343 1977-’78 , $14,271; A 2?j>]&/'CM@j`ZZD&M7%!4&X&@& model bat sold for $253,000 at an auction A&I.$B&5.$$%,&-.%(&JEC&9)#$_0%$;&)8;& %798$;&)8;&9)#$_B".8&])8F&@)."8&/7*B)0- =$*;&)(&(=$&C"07%:7**$&2*099$.&/0%$0#4& 78%!.7<$;&.""F7$&K$.%$+&1".&PTRDdiQg F$$&5.):$%&.");&K$.%$+&1."#&Tdbe&%"*;&1".& The sale, the latest annual event held at A&@&TdQf&($)#_%798$;&J$B&O".F&O)8F$$%& PQSDQfQ&78&)&/Z@[2&@0!(7"8&(=)(&!*"%$;& the famed bat factory, also featured two team ball, including Ruth, for $11,274; I$!4&T4&@&TdbQ&a)!F7$&["<78%"8&5.""F*+8& collections of sports memorabilia, includ- A&[7!F$+&]$8;$.%"8,%&TddQ&M".*;&2$.7$%& I";9$.%&C"07%:7**$&2*099$.&9)#$_0%$;&<)(& ing autographed baseballs collected by the (."3=+&B7(=&(=$&>"."8("&5*0$&a)+%D&1".&PdDfQb4 %"*;&1".&PRiDQfd&"8&Rd&<7;%4&&[$997$&a)!F- 9$8$.)*&#)8)9$.&"1&(=$&2(4&C"07%&a$11$.%"8& A total of 15 lots donated by the company %"8,%&9)#$_B".8&a$.%$+&1."#&TdcTD&=7%&-8)*& ]"($*&78&(=$&$).*+&TdSS%4&>=$+&%"*;&1".&#".$& founders raised $5,000 for the American %$)%"8&)%&)&O)8F$$D&%"*;&1".&PTfDQbT4&&! RON LEWIS, FROM PAGE 1 Lewis said in an interview. “I didn’t have that in mind as an artist, but for years that’s all I was doing. I hate to pigeonhole myself. I recently produced an exhibit of portraits, with subjects of people I know.” Vintage automobiles and Victorian homes are among favorite images in his other work. Expect chasing dogs somewhere in those compositions. He gained great visibility for 20 years in the sports genre, then left the arena for the next decade. He only re­ turned to sports recently when he was commissioned to produce a painting honoring Jewish Baseball Players. The large (48­inch­by­36­inch), original oil features 72 people, the most Lewis has ever put into one of his paintings. Signed nard and . A total of 2,500 and I was happy to see it.” prints from the painting are available, sets were produced. The series of Negro The painting that “got the ball roll­ including everyone from Leaguers in the late 1980s gave collec­ ing” for Lewis was a painting of living Braun and Kevin Youkilis to the only tors items suitable for signing at a time members of the 500 Club. living Jewish Hall of Famer, Sandy when very little topical Negro League The image, from left to right, showed Koufax. (The late is items existed. Ted Williams, , Harmon in the painting.) It remains one of Lewis’s favorite Killebrew, , Mickey Ryan Braun agreed to be in it, but he projects, though he is most fond of a Mantle, , , Mike also demanded that his dad be in the series of Negro League paintings that Schmidt, , image as well. Most of the proceeds are showed players off the diamond, around and Willie McCovey. Yankee Stadium going to charity. the old buses they used to barnstorm. was the backdrop. The players were The commissions for his sports work E/6(#,)-()6,"6)(D$)(/6%2("1(!+1F71!-"+1( standing on tan dirt, on the edge of the at least give buyers the licensing rights. with a symposium on the Negro Leagues Bronx green. Autograph collectors will recognize see­ at Hofstra University. All the players are represented as ing his work in such series as “Gridiron “The players were really pleased to pretty much the same height, though Greats,” which carried the images of have the opportunity to come out of ob­ McCovey was 6­feet, 4 inches and Johnny Unitas, Gale Sayers, Don May­ scurity,” Lewis said. “They were thrilled Mickey Mantle and Harmon Killebrew ! Sweet Spot 7

#43"&2 8 9 4 & 0 RON LEWIS, FROM PAGE 6 were 5­feet, 11­inches tall. As in the minds of collectors, Mantle is shown larger than life. “Autograph collectors just want to have a good likeness,” Lewis said. “When you start working on these things you go with what’s in your mind. I don’t want to copy a photograph that’s out there. I want to bring something new if I can. I’ll bring a head with a different body. I don’t want people to say, ‘I know where that image comes from.’” G6D")(#87,62(!+%%6!-+,)(D+7%2()"81( in the dirt at the base of the image so as not to obscure the artwork. As he sat in the Trump Tower, the art­ ist saw the signatures going everywhere on the lithographs. Some signatures were across the chest; others were up the leg. Collectors made “windows” to indicate where they wanted the players to sign the piece,” Lewis recalled. He said about 5,000 people were a signed Moonwalkers, sans Armstrong tors’ passions are focused more on the expected for the show in Atlantic City, autograph, still fetched about $2,400. autographs than his artwork, although but 35,000 showed up. One thousand of the pieces were lithographs, then Lewis said a fan favorite, particularly he has cultivated a following who like there were three pallets of the image on along the East Coast, is his “ of to purchase pencil drawings of some of printed posters. the Century,” a tribute to the 1969 Super the athletes. “Everything was in such a rush,” Bowl III , with portraits of The drawings, of course, are often a Lewis said. “I would be at the front , , Weeb part of the creative process. They help dispensing the posters and signing them Eubanks, and . the artist work out composition issues for the public. The artist acknowledges that collec­ Continued on Page 8 While the 500 Home Run Club poster started a trend for creating autographed product, it was also “the beginning of the end,” Lewis said. At the time of the Hisler show the signatures of these most­in­demand players — DiMaggio not included — was $5 to $8. Even­ tually, select few players entered the $100­plus orbit. The high cost carved out a different level of collector. The 500 Home Run Club piece opened the gates to other milestone paintings: The Ryan Express 5,000 , The Kings (of home runs), the 3,000 Hit Club, the 3,000 Strikeouts Club, the 500 Goal Scorers Club. (Lewis said Wayne Gretzky wouldn’t participate in the signing. And when he painted a piece of the men who walked on the moon, Neil Armstrong wouldn’t sign “Moonwalkers,” while the others did.) The original 500 Goal painting from 1995 sold in a 2011 auction for $10,575; ! Sweet Spot 8 before carrying out other steps before a LEWIS, FROM PAGE 7 *$"1-"18(56!+46)(-/6(#1")/62(*,+27!-<( 4.'9:"' These aren’t caricatures, folks. Lewis BLOCK 4$&(-$?6($(D+,?("1("-)(#1$%()-$86)($12( AUCTION NEWS actually turn the canvas up­side down, “so I don’t get caught up in the (subject of) the painting.” He said Norman Rockwell clearly was CLOSING Dec. 21: Newcombe items $(H5"8("1I761!6J(+1(/"4(6$,%&("1(/")( A Jackie Robinson game-worn home jer- seys have been added to the Leland’s fall career, what with his photoreal paint­ auction that will close Dec. 21. Both jerseys ing technique. As with many artists, date to 1950. +-/6,("1I761!6)(!,66*("1-+(-/6(!$19$)6)<( Leland’s reports that the jerseys have “I’ve incorporated some Picasso­esque been in private hands and are being of- cubism to convey an idea, but not neces­ '"#"3%'&#%!/-"%'&#%.("%,#!.%.$@"8%B("%$."@%(/!% sarily,” he said. “With the faces in my opened with a $50,000 bid. paintings, I do a lot of things that have Another first-time-to-market jersey is optical illusions.” another game-worn Brooklyn beauty from His other artwork is more tightly 1950 worn by . painted, with stronger compositions. ’s memorabilia collection, While the sports projects have made including hhis 1956 and MVP Lewis a household name among many Awards and his 1949 Rookie of the Year autograph collectors, most of these folks Award, will be sold December 21 in an auc- are clueless about the grand homes, tion organized by Leland’s. Another treasure idyllic scenes, signage and vintage cars in the sale include’s ’s 1951 St. of his other paintings. “Most of those Louis Browns game-worn jersey. ARTIST RON LEWIS, known by people couldn’t care less about my other Among other items in the sale are: sports collectors for his 500 Home stuff,” he said. “A lot of sports collec­ A%C%=D;E%F"G%H&#I%H/0I""!%!$)0"3% Run Club and other sports subjects, tors seem to be more interested in the baseball; autograph than the actual image.” A%B"3%J$--$/@!%K&!.&0%L"3%M&N%)/@"* suitable for autographing, shows his passions, style and technique in In truth, sports collectors and art worn cap from the 1950s; collectors share the desire to display A%C%!$0)-"*!$)0"3%>/!">/--%>5%O"!!"% his nonsports subjects artwork. Burkett; something, so the marriage of art and A%C%!$0)-"*!$)0"3%>/!">/--%>5%O&"%P7#&0% autograph is a long and happy one. ! Man” McGinnity (est. $75,000); A%C%=DQ;%B"/@%4/0/3/%R-5@+$1%S"#!"5% from the gold medal game; and a 1952 gold @"3/-%'#&@%.("%!/@"%90$3"0.$,"3%+-/5"#T A%U95%V":"9#6!%WRX%$0391.$&0%#$0)%/03% 1975-76 Art Ross Trophy; A%K&>>5%R##6!%=DYD%K&!.&0%K#9$0!%)/@"* worn jersey; A%B("% 3">9.% )-&Z"!% G�% >5% M9)/#% L/5% Leonard; A%C% .G$1"*!$)0"3% $."@% >5% O/1I% O&(0!&0T% and A%C%1&@+-"."%#90%&'%K/!">/--%[/)/\$0"% (1908-1965) A REA: Balls, bats, jerseys The extensive grouping of single signed baseballs come to the Robert Edward Auction block in the spring. In addition, Rob Lifson of REA is offering a variety of game-used jerseys, including a signed 1960 Dodgers home jersey, a road 1963 Sandy Koufax Dodgers jersey, a home 1970 Hank Aaron jersey, a 1970 Orioles road jersey, and a 1968-1972 Wilt Chamberlain Lakers road jersey. Numerous game-used bats will be in the auction, including a signed 1959- ! Sweet Spot 9 Sweet Spot 8>EFAG=HI6'JKFH>'FBL>=?FBM'FB'IAGE' NG?AMEN@K>O'=@AE?='D>DAENPFHFN' CAHH>C?FAB7'invest in yourself6' 8GP=CEFP>'?A'?K>'P>=?' @GPHFCN?FAB'O>LA?>O'>QCHG=FL>HI' ?A''NG?AMEN@K>O'=@AE?='D>DAENPFHFN6'Six issues for just $306'Sweet Spot'BHFMK?>B'NBO' >B?>E?NFB6';B'?K>'HABM'EGB7' F?''IAG'N'PGBOH>'AR'DAB>I6'

SINCE 1992 “Your publication is informative, “The hobby itself should have as much talks about trends, auction re­ integrity as Sweet Spot.” sults, prices, forgers, everything I need to know.” #$%"&'(()" A true collector’s publication.” “You always tell the truth and I thank you for that.”

“Other publications are useful, but cluttered with stuff of marginal interest.”

8/%8#&;%"'94!-0 Kaufman Communications Name

P.O. BOX 26035 Address Austin, Texas 78755 Use Visa/MasterCard to charge it online. City/State/Zip <<<6=<>>?=@A?B><=6CAD Phone ! Sweet Spot 10

Leland’s (516) 409-9700 8J""9'8S49';.9"&."9' Gridiron Greats Magazine www.lelands.com (772) 563-0425 Old memorabilia and vintage !;&"#94&0 www.gridirongreats.net cards sought by the #1 Sports BiGG Publishing of Vero Auction House. Beach, Fla., presents this bi- monthly magazine that focuses Heritage Auctions 0/1'%4&!'(5)"%(6'#(!&4'(0++(5'0%((&*( ,(97*&%:,73$/"$;//)9(FREE(3)%(0/1'%4&!'%!? tions are $29.50 a year, $8 per The world’s largest collectibles issue. Auctioneer, now in its 35th Year. Always looking for quality First-Hand Authentication vintage sports cards and sports S&4$49" (513) 254-5998 memorabilia to purchase or www.fha21.com auction. [email protected] 04/& Authenticates items with which Quality Autographs 67!"$=!+)-!"$0!&$'+&)>0!"#$ & Memorabilia of Virginia ,(?,+%,"9,@$" (703) 519-9881 S4J"& [email protected] The Autograph Review www.qualityautographs.com 305 Carlton Road Website for veteran dealer and 2'TU*(V'W)X+*YYY'2'CKNEH>=AZ[C=6CAD'2 Syracuse, NY 13207 authenticator Kevin Keating. Fabulous guide for collectors Thousands of autographed seeking autographs through " items. Authenticator, appraiser, !"#!$%&#'()*+&*'(,(-.))/(0/1&$'2(,(3%'' the mail. dealer www.sweetspotnews.com Players Giving Back Lew Lipset Auctions Hollywood Collectibles www.playersgivingback.com P.O. Box 5092 tion and greatest reach of any , Ian Kinsler, Carefree, AZ 85377 auction devoted to sports col- (954) 986-0707 , , www.oldjudge.com lectibles in the world.” [email protected] Drew Pearson, Ndamukong [email protected] www.hollywoodcollectibles.com Suh, and others sign Currently offering the Ron Les Wolff Veteran sports memorabilia memorabilia for sale, with Gordon Autograph collection (516) 933-7787 dealer carries top inventory ?+/9,,#&$<,",'))%"A$!$:!+%,)3$ on April 5. http://members.aol.com/lwolff1823 !"#$%&$!$'()*+,$!)$-!./+$&0/1&$ of charities. " leswolffsportsllc.com throughout the country. Repre- Buying, selling autographed sents Bill Russell, , Robert Edward Auctions memorabilia, all sports. Email 213!",$4!#,5$67,($8/+#/"5$ Charity Sports Auctions 1 (908) 226-9900 want lists. Inventory list avail- Matt Garza, Tyrus Thomas, 483 Tenth Ave., Suite 520 [email protected] able via email. Dorell Wright and Hanley New York, N.Y. 10018 www.RobertEdwardAuctions.com Ramirez for autographed “REA offers the largest circula- (212) 422-1356 memorabilia. www.charitysportsauctions.org BC6$%&$!$#%:%&%/"$/;$D(,9*)%:,$ Sports Group. It handles live or silent auctions, perfect for golf tournaments and galas.

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WANTED “THE ORIGINAL ! Les Wolff Sports, LLC. YOUR QUALITY SPORTS AUTOGRAPHS! SPORTS MEMORABILIA ! WE’RE ALWAYS BUYING AND INSURANCE POLICY” Buying autographs, all sports, WE’RE ALWAYS SELLING AT t HOFers, 3x5s, plaques, checks, www.qualityautographs.com contracts, balls, letters, unusual items. Call TODAY! Kevin M. Keating Check out the rest. "#$$%&'#()!)*+',%-'.&/'#() Les will pay the best. MARKETED BY !)*00(/.1%()!)2%/$%( ! A FINKELMEIER INSURANCE AGENCY, Inc. Box 210 Serving collectors since 1970. We pay BIG bucks for Quality Wapakoneta, OH 45895 items and Collections. Try us! ! 10#('1@',%A/B&#C)!)DDDB',%A/B&#C P.O. Box 917 P.O. Box 25274 Plainview, N.Y. 11803 (419) 739­4000 (516) 933-7787 Alexandria, VA 22313-5274 # (703) 519-9881 Fax: (516) 933-7747 The nation’s largest insurer of [email protected] (703) 519-9850 fax sports memorabilia dealers and collectors www.leswolffsportsllc.com email: [email protected]

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WANTED RICH ALTMAN IS THE MOST CREDIBLE NAME BUYING AUTOGRAPHS Autographed 8x10s/Magazine Pictures IN AUTHENTICATION! Steve Bilko Cards Jerry Zimmerman Reds Buying Collections: Vintage to Current Cards Norm Cash WSox Top dollar paid. Hall of Famers: Baseballs, yellow plaques, contracts, letters, photos, Red Barrett Cards Don McMahon MilBr game-used equipment. Also, Football, Ray Katt Cards Jocko Thompson Phils The name speaks for itself hockey, basketball, golf, tennis, Jack Lamabe Cards Blix Donnelly Phils entertainment. Ron Davis Cards Ed Waitkus Phils Exclusive representative for Bill Russell George Crowe Cards We are accepting Dwyane Wade, , "#$%&'()*&+,-&.$%,%&/))& Del Rice Cards/MilBr Matt Garza, Tyrus Thomas, /01$%(123/12'(4&/,%&5/4%6&'(& Cards/MilBr JOHN DORSEY consignments Dorell Wright and Hanley Ramirez +,417$/(6&%89%,2%(3%:; 564 S. Osceola Ave. A Cards/Reds Visit www.hollywoodcollectibles.com or P.O. Box 42193 Marshall Bridges Cards/NYY Orlando, FL 32801 Lelands.com email me at [email protected] (407) 219-4795 130 Knickerbocker Ave., Suite H Cincinnati, Ohio 43242 LADod RICH ALTMAN Phone: (513) 254­5998 Rip Repulski LADod (954) 980-5471 Bohemia, N.Y. 11716 ]]==%M("#$3/0%M.88A%W&--5G&&32%XV%]]<;= Q=Y8^)34567)489:;4?8 E­mail: [email protected] Marv Breeding LADod Web site: www.fha21.com Reds ! Sweet Spot 12

IT’S ! SHOWTIME Dec. 16, COLUMBUS, N.J. Lee Roy Jordan, authors (732) 928-8600 PROMOTERS: Send news of to sign at Texas HOF Guests: Bob Kelly, Joe Watson autograph shows with show guests a"$&J7!F&H)("%F7D&)0(=".&"1&The via e-mail to [email protected] : The Outrageous Dec. 17, STERLING HEIGHTS, Mich. (586) 566-8331 Dec. 4, ROSEVILLE, Minn. History of the Biggest, Loudest, Most Hated, Best Loved Foot- Guest: Ndamukong Suh (763) 291-8464 Guest: Kyle Rudolph ball Team in America, and Jenna Dec. 29, TROY, Mich. /!Z)!=$.8D&)0(=".&"1&DKR — The (248) 680-9766 Dec. 4, MEQUON, Wisc. Royal Scrapbook, will sign their Guest: Scotty Bowman (262) 367-1300 <""F%& I$!4& c& )8;& d& )(& )& %3".(%& Guest: Tramon Williams memorabilia show at TheTexas Jan. 5, 2013, INDUSTRY, Calif. 23".(%&])**&"1&E)#$&78&M)!"4 (714) 761-6414 Dec. 7, HAVERTOWN, Pa. @*%"D& "8& I$!4& dD& 1".#$.& N"B- Guest: (610) 789-4996 Guest: John LeClair <"+%& *78$<)!F$.& C$$& ["+& a".;)8& )8;&1".#$.&>$6)%&@k/&)8;&@*)- Jan. 26, SECAUCUS, N.J. (201) 863-8700 Dec. 8, RUTHERFORD, N.J. <)#)& 1""(<)**& !")!=& G$8$& 2()**- 789%&B7**&%798&)0("9.)3=%4 Guests: , , Homer (201) 967-9667 Bush, , Jose Cardinal, Mike Guests: Bart Oates, Jim Burt, Leonard Buddie, Mike Stanton, , Marshall, Mark Collins, Perry Williams , Eduardo Nunez, Gary Dec. 15, CONCORD, Thomasson, Jesse Barfield, Larry (905) 760-8404 Dec. 8, CINCINNATI, Ohio McCall, Rawley Eastwick, Roy White, Guests: Bobby Baun, Johnny Bower (513) 409-7300 , Tommy John Guests: Norm Charlton, Tom Hall Dec. 15, 16, HASBROUCK HEIGHTS, N.J. Feb. 15-17, SOMERSET, N.J. (973) 808-1740 Dec. 8, MINNETONKA, Minn. (808) 375-GTSM Guests: , , (952) 545-6460 Guests: Fred Biletnikoff, , Frank Robinson, , Or- Guest: Tommy Kramer Andy Dalton, Bo Jackson, Darren Sp- lando Cepeda, , Wes Un- roles, Desmond Howard, , seld, , Bill Baird, , Dec. 8, POTOMAC, Md. Matt Leinart, Ndamukong Suh, Patrick Brooks Robinson, , Dave (301) 299-9201 Peterson, Reggie Bush, , Herman, Don Maynard, , Guest: Lorenzo Alexander Isiah Thomas, Larry Johnson, Lesean Eddie Bell, Emerson Boozer, Gerry Phil- McCoy, , Phil Simms, San- bin, Jerome Barkum, , John Dec. 8, 9, KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa. tonio Holmes Dockery, , John Schmitt, (610) 354-8212 , , Guests: Bob Ayrault, Bob Molinaro, Feb. 23, HOOVER, Ala. Mike D’Amato, , Pete 4(/!"%`.-"52%a/Z"%J$0,"-32%a"00$!%b1I- (205) 985-3020 Lammons, , Randy Ras- ersley, Frank Robinson, Gene Garber, Guests: Bo Jackson, Cam Newton, Pat mussen, , , Mark Davis, Sullivan

Ricky Jordan, So Taguchi, Terry Mulhol- Dec. 15, FAIRLESS HILLS, Pa. land, , John Banaszak, April 26, SOMERSET, N.J. (215) 579-0731 Steve Carlton, Tim McCarver (808) 375-GTSM Guests: Dave Schultz, Lonnie Smith Guests: Bob Lilly, Dwight Clark, Jerry

Dec. 9, WACO, Texas Rice, , , Michael Dec. 15, MINNETONKA, Minn. (254) 756-1633 Irvin, Demarco Murray, Emmitt Smith, (952) 545-6460 Guest: Lee Roy Jordan . ! Guest: Cole DeVries Dec. 9, TOMS RIVER, N.J. (954) 986-0707 Guest: Todd Frazier Sweet Spot

Dec. 11, BALTIMORE, Md. `)01#)8&N"##087!)(7"8% or (410) 461-8664 20/3 H4?4&5"6&ReSQb Austin, Texas 78755 Guests: Dannell Ellerbe, Gino Grad- If your label shows IT’S TIME kowski, Joe Flacco earlier, Make your TO RENEW. ];^9'8/%8#&;S9;4.8 Dec. 12, FOREST HILL, Md. $30 check payable to 8>BO'BND>='NBO'NOOE>==>= CZ6 (410) 420-0732 Kaufman Communications Guest: Torrey Smith 8;_';88/"8'-'0"-&7'`1)