Card of the Day: Len Dawson 1961 National City Bank #1

“Pin-Up” of the Week: 1972 Central Counties Bank 1st Generation “Crush the Orange” Penn State Button

Its funny how the simple looking things can end up having an entire science to them.  That’s the way this hobby works.  Take for example the button pictured above.  Central Counties Bank produced three generations of buttons for Penn State fans in 1972.  This button is one of six from that first generation.  They all have phrases on them such as “Get the Goat”, “Hammer the Hawkeyes”, “Crush the Orange”, “Trip the Terrapins”, “Wallop the Wolfpack”, and “Pulverize the Panthers”.  Central Counties Bank wasn’t sure what type of response they would get from the public, so they only made them for the six home games and left their logo off.

Fans went nuts for these buttons.  Generation 2 consists of a second printing of the last four buttons from generation 1, and the Central Counties Bank logo is at the bottom.  Generation 3 is a third printing of the last two buttons from generations 1 & 2.  The main difference are the metal backs compared to green cardboard found on the first two generations.

Central Counties Bank eventually was taken over by Mellon Bank.  Now Mellon Bank is Citizens Bank.  No matter the name of the bank, they still made buttons.  Its a tradition that continues to this very day.

Many of the early buttons first introduced in 1972 carry a hefty price tag.  A collector recently spent $100 for this generation 1 “Crush the Orange” button.  For all Penn State button collectors, check out this great resource.  The site looks like something from the 90s, but its kept up-to-date.

“Pin-Up” of the Week: Citizens Bank Park 2016 Exclusive Star Wars Pin

Next week at this time a new Star Wars movie will be out.  Rogue One: A Star Wars Story takes place shortly before A New Hope.  It tells the tale of how the Rebellion obtained the plans to the first Death Star.  With the Jedi existing for a thousand years, it continues to fascinate me how the Sith convinced the public that they were a hoax in such a short time.  One year from now, we’ll be getting ready for Episode VIII.  How will Luke react after Rey finds him standing atop that cliff?  Star Wars movies raise lots of questions.  Every answer you get, more questions arise.

Combing baseball and Star Wars is a great idea.  Teams annually have Star Wars themed nights.  This past year, the Majestic Clubhouse Store at Citizens Bank Park sold an exclusive Phillies/Star Wars pin.  It features both Yoda and Darth Vader.  Only (300) of them were made, which isn’t a lot when it comes to pins.  I’m almost certain they’ve sold out.  On the secondary market I’ve seen people asking $30 to $50 for a single pin.

Susquehanna Bank 2012 Little League World Series Pins

The 2012 Little League World Series is officially underway in South Williamsport.  Baseball fans from all over the world have come to enjoy America’s greatest game.  Collectible pins have already started to surface.  Many more will soon be on their way.  Luckily for me, I got my hands on a couple promo pins sponsored by Susquehanna Bank.  I haven’t seen these two surface yet, but it probably won’t be long until more pin collectors get their hands on them.  These are way better than the ones they made last year.  Businesses all around the Williamsport area make LLWS pins.  Sometimes they advertise that they have them, and other times they don’t.  Just ask around.

PHOTOS: Harrisburg Senators vs. Portland Sea Dogs

Last night I took a trip down to Harrisburg to see the Senators take on the Portland Sea Dogs.  The Senators are the AA affiliate of the Washington Nationals and the Sea Dogs are affiliated with the Red Sox.  This was the first time I had been to Metro Bank Park.  I attended a few Senators games many years ago, but that was well before they built this new stadium.  Parking was a little weird, and the food could have been better.  I really liked my seat because foul balls were coming my way all the time.  In the end, Harrisburg won 10-0.

I picked up three different team sets:

• Eastern Division 2010 All-Star Set
• Western Division 2010 All-Star Set
• Harrisburg Senators 2010 Team Set – this one has Strasburg in it

Jordan Zimmerman is in Harrisburg doing his rehab

As you can see, SpongeBob was at the game.  He should have pitched.  I hear he has a nasty “sinker” 🙂

PHOTOS: Phillies vs. Twins – 6/19/10

Yesterday I took my second trip to Citizens Bank Park to watch the Phillies take on the Twins.  Even though the Phillies blew their 5-run lead in the top of the 9th and ended up losing 13-10 in 11 innings, I still had a great time.  I got to see Ryan Howard, Wilson Valdez, and Jayson Werth each hit homers.  I think this was the most action I’ve ever seen in a game that I attended.

The staff at Citizens Bank Park is extremely helpful.  With almost 50,000 people it can get very crowded.  They helped me get through a lot of tight areas especially inside some of the gift shops.  I also like how the handicap seating is blocked off by a gate so people who have standing room only tickets don’t get in the way.  That helps a lot.  The only difficult part of the day was the traffic.

I picked up a ton of pins for my collection, and a Roy Halladay bobble head that came free with the purchase of a $10.00 Phillies yearbook.  I can’t wait to go back next year!!!!  Feel free to check out some of my photos.

View from my seat

Steve Carlton

Liberty Bell

Jayson Werth

Ryan Howard

Cole Hamels

Shane Victorino

Mike Schmidt

Connie Mack

Phanatic!!!!!!

Cooper’s Phillies “Dream Team” Painting IS Coming To Fans

This evening I received an e-mail from Jamie Cooper.  Jamie is the artist who painted the famous Phillies “Dream Team” painting that is hanging in the Diamond Club at Citizens Bank Park.  He contacted me awhile back to see if I could help spread the word to see if collectors would be interested in a more affordable version of this great piece of art.  I’m happy to announce that after a few blog posts later the feedback has been overwhelming and Jamie has decided to bring this painting to the fans.  Thats the power of blogging!

Print Highlights:

• It will be printed on 300gsm quality art stock
• The size will be approx. 39 x 15 inches
• Each print will come signed by Jamie Cooper
• The print will be accompanied by an A4 sheet with the entire story of the painting including the many hidden secrets woven into the scene
• Price is $125 plus postage and handling ($25)
• The lithographic print on paper will be released in 2 weeks time, delivery within 4 weeks

For more information, you can contact Jamie Cooper at:

jamie@jcap.com.au

Click to enlarge

Rare Gem On Display At Citizens Bank Park

Last night while watching the Phillies I heard Tom McCarthy and Chris Wheeler talk about something you rarely hear about on prime time television – baseball cards.  Right now at Citizens Bank Park this 1909-11 T206 uncut strip containing Honus Wagner will be on display thanks to Hunt Auctions.  This strip has been bought and sold many times over the years and still amazes collectors.  How in the hell did this thing stay together after all this time?  Many rumors state it was found in a pair of old pants owned by Wagner.

This would make the ultimate box topper.

Phillies “Dream Team” Painting Possibly Coming Soon To Fans

Upstairs at Citizens Bank Park hanging in the Phillies Diamond Club is one of the greatest pieces of Phillies artwork ever created.  The Phillies “Dream Team” piece was created by Jamie Cooper and features various Philadelphia Phillies from different eras.  It even has Harry Kalas interviewing Richie Ashburn to the right.  I wrote a post about this piece of work last January, and recently I was contacted by Mr. Cooper who wanted to know my thoughts about making prints of the piece available to collectors.  As of right now, only extremely high-end copies are available to collectors and can cost into the thousands.  Cooper would like to offer collectors a chance to own a copy of this print, but at a more economical cost.

What he is thinking about is creating a 45 x 18 inch print on 250 gsm art stock.  The price would probably be around $125.00 plus shipping & handing.  Right now this isn’t definite, but he asked if I would help spread the word informing Phillies fans that this could be something available.  In my opinion, its the greatest piece of Phillies artwork ever created.  It just looks so cool!!

Please let me know what you think of this idea.  Jamie is looking for some feedback to see if its worth going through with.  He has had a lot of requests to make the painting more affordable.

Click on each to enlarge.

This is a mock-up of what the print could look like.  The names of the players and the story of the painting would come on an attached COA.  If anyone is interested in purchasing a print, please contact Jamie Cooper at: jamie@jcap.com.au

Unique Baseball Patch Find

A few days ago I received a package in the mail from an older family member.  Inside was an old Dutch Masters cigar box filled with old newspaper clippings and various other stuff I really didn’t know why they wanted to send me.  Near the bottom of the box I discovered a really old Irving Trust Co. baseball patch.  Irving Trust Co. merged a long time ago with The Bank of New York, and I haven’t been able to find anything on this baseball patch.  On eBay, I see a lot of older baseball patches but nothing quite like this.  I know there are many vintage baseball patch collectors and people that collect old bank memorabilia.  I wonder if this thing has any value?  I might give it a try on eBay and see what happens.

Lets just hope someone doesn’t buy it to make fake patch cards 🙂