Barry Halper
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Barry Halper was an extensive collector of baseball memorabilia.[1] During the auction of the collection, Sotheby's Auction House called it the "World Series of Sports Auctions."[2]
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[edit] Collection
Halper's collection was thought of as the finest, being both extensive and unusual. Many items, such as the uncut strip of T-206 cards with a Honus Wagner, were one of a kind. Halper's collection was housed in his basement, which had been outfitted like a small museum, including a hidden switch to a swing open panel, behind which were some of his most game-worn jerseys of famous players such as Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth.
Some of the notable items in Halper's collection included:[2]
- Ty Cobb's 1928 autographed Philadelphia Athletics Jersey. (Sold for over 300,000 USD.)
- Lou Gehrig's last baseball glove. (Sold for nearly 400,000 USD.)
- A glove from Mickey Mantle. (Purchased by Billy Crystal for over 230,000 USD.)
- Mickey Mantle's 1956 New York Yankees World Series Ring.
- The 1920 signed sale agreement that marked Babe Ruth's sale by the Boston Red Sox, to the Yankees
- A 1903 ticket to the first World Series.
- Lou Gehrig's 1930's Yankees hat.
- Ty Cobb's dentures.
Following the Sotheby's auction, Halper remarked:
| “ | It makes me feel so proud that my collection will be carried on by everyone who participated in the past week's sale. I am also glad that the Hall of Fame has part of my collection where it will reside in perpetuity.[2] | ” |
Sotheby's released a three-volume book, The Barry Halper Collection of Baseball Memorabilia, that included over 1,500 color photographs of the collection, giving history for many of the items, details about Halpern's collection through the years, and a history of baseball.[3][4]
[edit] Sale
In 1998, Halper sold the collection, with Major League Baseball purchasing many items, donating them to the Baseball Hall of Fame. The rest were auctioned off by Sotheby's for a record 21.8 million USD.[1][2]
[edit] Death
Barry Halper died at the age of 66, in 2005 due to complications from long-standing health issues.[1]
[edit] References
- ^ a b c Associated Press (2007). Baseball collector Barry Halper dies. USA Today. Retrieved on November 17, 2007.
- ^ a b c d Collectors Universe, Inc. (1999). Sotheby's Wins World Series Of Sports Auctions: Barry Halper Collection Totals $21,812,577. Collectors Universe, Inc.. Retrieved on November 17, 2007.
- ^ Sotheby's, Sotheby's (1999). The Barry Halper Collection of Baseball Memorabilia. New York: Sotheby's, 930 pages. ISBN 9780962258879.
- ^ Golenbock, Peter (2000). Barry Halper Collection of Baseball Memorabilia. New York: Harry N. Abrams, 928 pages. ISBN 9780810967045.
