OK. Here's a document signed by then Reds owner John T. Brush (who later sold the Reds and bought the Giants.)

interesting signature...

It's rather ironic that my computer would be down during this thread... which is probably my favorite topic of all-time! Unfortunately, I cannot download photos, but will list my top 5 favorites...

1. Johnny Bench's first home run (actual ball)
2. Tony Perez' flannel jersey from 1970 (his best year)
3. Reds Felt Pennant, dated 1919 (year of Black Sox scandal)
4. Game-used bats of all 8 starters from Big Red Machine era (best offensive team ever, IMHO)
5. Joe Morgan game-used glove with LOA signed by Umpire Eric Gregg (tiny- looks like a little league glove!)

I'm currently waiting for this Reds pennant to arrive-

Let's go Reds!

Here is a cool letter from 1889. I actually have a Bank Check signature from Cincinnati signed by Gus Schmeltz as well but this one is cooler with the 1889 letterhead and date. I will see what else I already have scanned on my computer as well.

Rhys

Mark,

Those items sound very awesome. How did you get Bench's first homerun. I thought he would want to keep that. Also when i last went to the hall of fame it also had a Joe Morgan glove and my father and i thought it was a little league because it was so small.Also the best offensive team has to be the 1927 yankees.

I wish I could say it was mine but nevertheless, its awesome-

Brock G...

Awesome pennant! I have that same one on dark green felt, and (until now)it was the only example I had ever seen. I think it's from late 1930s. You got a very rare one... congrats (again!)


Brock L...

The Bench Home Run Ball came from Lelands about 8 years ago (give or take). It was formerly in the collection of Charlie Sheen, the actor. It has a long notation in Bench's hand, stating that it was his first home run, hit off "Britton" Bench signed another panel, "Catch ya later, Johnny Bench", so apparently it was gifted to someone at some point.

I don't know how the ball made it into Sheen's collection, but I was thrilled (and lucky) to get it. I am also surprised that Johnny Bench would ever have parted with something like this. That particular Lelands/Charlie Sheen auction also contained the ball hit by Bench for his 300th career home run.

Brock L...

There have been many heated debates over which team had the more potent offense... the '27 Yankees or "75/'76 Reds. My opinion is, of course biased, and I have heard good arguments for both sides.

I guess the '27 Yankees will always be thought of as the greatest/most legendary team of all-time (and perhaps deservedly so). But the '76 Reds blew through the playoffs without a loss, and swept the Yankees in that year's WS. Both teams were able to completely dominate without stellar pitching, and that says a lot for their respective lineups!


Brock G...

I know we tend to over-use the term, but that Cigar Cutter is a "holy grail". One of the few items that (for me) even trumps the Rock-Ola Arcade Game!

I'll echo those sentiments about the cigar cutter Mark. Some of my favorite pieces are those that combine form and function, and that is about as good as it gets.

picked this up about a year ago...

How about the guy that started it all

Aside from books, Steve Cummings had an extensive Reds memorabilia collection,with some stunning pieces. . Barry or others, can you recall the Mastro auction in which most of it was sold?

Mark, I think you moved to Seattle just a little late, as the collection was very impressive.

Max

1919 *World Champions

Interesting story (I think); When Joe signed this for me, he pointed to the mailing label and said, "Is that you?" I replied yep, I had kept the mag for nearly 25 years at that point.

I have also been working on a signed set of 1967 Dexter Press for years, these are the only 2 Reds I have at this point.

A vintage painting of Bob Meusel, who, if I recall correctly, only played one year for the Reds.



Max

I'm late to the party and have nothing to show, but I've gotta say that the 1889 Reds letter is a fantastic piece. Very nice Rhys.

Forgot I have access to this one, already in my photobucket. This is a rare pennant, of which I've never seen another...

Here are three more neat artifacts from Crosley Field...

The Ladder led up to the Press Box at Crosley, and has the TV Station Call letters stenciled on...




Like the Ladder, this Turnstyle was from the famous Joseph Scudese collection...




And the Ticket Sign pictured below is from Lelands' website. I could not access a photo of mine, which is actually brighter and less faded (must have had less original sun exposure than the one shown below...) I believe there are only one or two other examples known to exist. The sign is big, heavy, and made from thick sheet metal...

Awesome stuff Mark!

On a side note, is there some trick photography going on in that photo with the Detroit pennant or is it really THAT big?

Great items. Good thing Marty and Joe didn't have to shimmy up that ladder!

This item is not mine,but resides in the Reds HOF/museum at the Great American Ballpark. A definite place to check out if you're in the area.

Brock:

The Tigers Pennant is really that big (and the VanderMeer is full sized- not a mini!) That's the exact reason I took the original photo- to demonstrate the size of the Tigers Pennant.

It's the biggest I own, and the only bigger pennant I've seen resides in Gary Cypres' Sports Museum in L.A. His is an early 1900s Red Sox Pennant that must be at least 5' long. His is spectacular, but is rather beat-up, with some significant tears/holes/scrapes, etc. It's still an amazing sight to behold. I wanted to photograph it, but the security guard was watching me too closely. Sorry to wander off-topic...

This is from one of my all-time favorites, Buck Hooker, a T206er. This is the payroll voucher that he signed when he picked up the pay for his last major league game, April 29, 1903.

1869 New York Clipper Newspaper woodcut of the 1869 Reds.