GEPPI’S MEMORABILIA ROAD SHOW AUCTION, CONCLUDING OCT 25-27, FEATURES OVER 1000 REMARKABLE ITEMS FROM RUTH, DIMAGGIO, CLEMENTE, COBB, MANTLE, JACK JOHNSON, MICHAEL JORDAN AND MORE
Sept. 29, 2005
The Bert Padell Collection and the Weston Boxing Collection Are Featured
TIMONIUM, Md. - A remarkable selection of sports memorabilia, historical documents and items of Americana will be offered in October in an online auction presented by Geppi’s Memorabilia Road Show, with real-time Internet bidding provided by LiveAuctioneers.com in association with eBay Live Auctions. The auction features two prestigious highlights: the Bert Padell Collection and the Weston Boxing Collection.
The auction will end over October 25-27. The boxing collection of Stanley Weston and Toby Weston Cone will conclude bidding on Tuesday, October 25. Portions of the massive Padell Collection will close Wednesday, October 26, with the remainder of that collection concluding Thursday, October 27. Additional lots will also close that same day.
Bert Padell, a New York Yankees batboy in 1949-50, went on to become the “financial consultant to the stars” (DiMaggio, DeNiro, Baryshnikov, Madonna, Spears, many more), while amassing what is called the finest single consignor collection to come to auction since the Barry Halper Auction of 1999.
Stanley Weston was long associated with Nat Fleischer and The Ring magazine, and since his passing, his daughter Toby Weston Cone has cared for and maintained what is considered the finest boxing collection ever assembled. The auction has attracted international attention, particularly for the “confession letter” written by Jack Johnson, in which he describes his intentionally losing his 1915 bout against Jess Willard in order to be able to return to America to see his mother. Virtually every significant fighter from Jem Mace and John L. Sullivan through Corbett, Sharkey, Dempsey, Louis, Marciano, Ali, and Tyson is represented in the auction by equipment, tickets, artwork, etc. A large portion of this collection was at one time presented in the old Madison Square Garden Boxing Hall of Fame.
Geppi’s Memorabilia Road Show is unique among auction houses in that it obtains its lots directly from sports insiders, assuring authenticity. (The company goes the extra step of also obtaining letters of authenticity from the leading authorities in the field).
Among the highlights of the auction are:
The Jack Johnson “confession letter” explaining his “fix” of the Willard fight.
Full set of the 1935 New York Yankees player contracts including Lou Gehrig
A turnstile from Ebbets Field
Roberto Clemente’s first pro contract (with Santurce), signed and fingerprinted by him and his parents when he was 17, plus the last home run ball he hit, in the 1972 NLCS.
Joe DiMaggio’s 1941 contract, the year of his 56-game hitting streak
Letter from George Armstrong Custer spelling out his intentions of carrying out a ‘war of extermination’ against everyone in the south with rebel blood.
A restaurant menu signed by both DiMaggio and Marilyn Monroe (anything signed by both is extremely rare).
Handwritten lyrics to Take Me Out to the Ballgame signed by lyricist Jack Norworth
A championship belt from 19 th century British boxing immortal Jem Mace
A replica Mickey Mantle model glove given only to pallbearers at his funeral
A 1918 signed agreement between Babe Ruth and Harry Frazee spelling out cash bonuses for achieving victory plateaus; Ruth moved to the outfield and didn’t reach the plateaus.
Handwritten note by a tearful Tom Seaver thanking Mets fans after his trade; he couldn’t continue his remarks as he broke down, so he jotted down his feelings.
A bat signed by more than 200 American Leaguers, including 23 Hall of Famers, collected by batboy Padell.
The famous bustier worn by Madonna on tour, along with a jumpsuit worn by Britney Spears on tour.
Game used bats from Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Mickey Mantle, minor leaguer Michael Jordan, and more
An original locker from old Yankee Stadium, given to Padell by Pete Sheehy, who claimed it to be Lou Gehrig’s.
Historic documents signed by FDR, JFK, Lincoln, Empress Josephine, John Wilkes Booth, and many others.
Babe Ruth’s book and movie contracts from the last year of his life.
Original cover art from vintage boxing magazines, including Joe Louis’ first appearance on The Ring.
Full collection of workout jerseys issued to the 2005 MLB All-Star teams, with all proceeds going to the Baseball Assistance Team (B.A.T.).
View the fully illustrated catalog and bid live online at www.liveauctioneers.com.
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