1956 Brooks Robinson San Antonio Missions Game-Worn Cap

[Liberate Baltimore]

Hello everyone,

I apologize if this is too off-topic. I would like to show off my 1956 Brooks Robinson San Antonio Missions game-worn cap that he wore as a 19 year-old second baseman. I am new to the forum, so I hope you will be patient. Last year, Mr. Robinson was cleaning out his garage and came across this old cap from when he played for the AA San Antonio Missions of the Texas League. Through arrangement with a local card shop, some of these items he found in his garage were put up for auction. I was surprised when only 30 people showed up, and I got this for what I consider "a steal". The cap shows incredible game usage, soiling and sweat staining. This cap came with a signed statement from Brooks indicating this was the only cap he wore for that club. Questions...

1.) Would Mears authenticate minor league material? Do you think there would be value added with such assessment?
2.) Brooks Robinson is always signing in my neck of the woods, would you get the under bill signed?
3.) Ballpark range of how much this might be valued at?

 

[brumbach]

Hi James, how you doing? Can't help with value or authentication but in all honesty I would not get it signed. Perhaps a letter or correspondence from Robinson providing some provenance, but I don't think I'd touch the cap itself.

 

[trevordchi]

Get it signed on TOP of the bill, not underneath!

 

[wolfmanalfredo]

Hi James, how you doing? Can't help with value or authentication but in all honesty I would not get it signed. Perhaps a letter or correspondence from Robinson providing some provenance, but I don't think I'd touch the cap itself.

+1, I wouldn't get it signed either. Just a letter of athenticity from the Robinson's. I think that would preserve the history and value of the hat. Maybe an authenticity letter signed by Brooks Robinson

 

[jeremy]

i agree w/ the net 54 guys, dont get it signed

 

[aminors]

Don't get it signed. As for value, it's a one-of-a-kind collectible, and a very cool one at that. It's like trying to gauge the price of a one of one card..nobody really knows until it trades hands.
Might I inquire concerning the cost to you?


Anthony

 

[Ian Stewart]

1.) Would Mears authenticate minor league material? Do you think there would be value added with such assessment? Yep, shouldn't be an issue.
2.) Brooks Robinson is always signing in my neck of the woods, would you get the under bill signed? Why under the bill? If you're getting it signed, which I personally wouldn't, get it in paint pen on the bill so it displays. Under the bill would leave it prone to fading, as black sharpie on a hat usually doesn't bode well.
3.) Ballpark range of how much this might be valued at? It would be so tough to prove it authentic. That combined with what might be a limited market, I'd imagine $500-$600 isn't out of the question.

 

[boomo]

how often does something like this come up? um, never, it truly is an amazing piece.
deff get mr robinson to sign a letter stating it was his and all, and i wouldnt be surprised
if some nutty oriole collector ( russ s ) payd 5-600 for it either. really awesome, thanks for sharing.

 

[jeremy]

id say more than 5-600, get it authenticated and put in one of the REA auctions or something, id say over 1000

 

[ru4scuba]

Please don't get it signed. Such a unique piece should be left in its original condition.

 

[cbrandtw]

Awesome piece.

Get it authenticated and don't ever get it signed.

 

[Big Mac McGwire]

That cap is worth thousands. 500-600 is chicken feed. A Game Used Cap with a letter from the owner, One of the greatest 3B, THE GREATEST Fielding 3B in baseball history is worth ALOT of money. A DIE hard Oriole Fan would give you a ALOT of money for that, or just a huge Brooks Robinson fan. Me Personally, i would get it signed. In the long run i think it would make it worth more money. But thats just me. I also would try to obtain the statement that Robinson gave attesting to his use of the hat.

 

[Lancemountain]

Brooks Robinson is my favorite non-Philly ever and I collect every auto and game-used modern cards I can. I have all of his Topps cards. (well the ones when he was playing) That cap is awesome.


Do not get it signed. It's an awesome piece as it is and leave it like that. And keep it and enjoy.

 

[smapdi]

I'd definitely see about getting it authenticated. While a letter from Brooks stating that it's his is good, the current market dictates that a third-party be involved. A letter could be just as easily forged as an item, and players sometimes make mistakes about their own stuff. Also, I agree about not getting it signed if your idea is to resell it at some point.

That does look like an incredible piece, though. It always seems to me that non-MLB equipment of star players is undervalued. I remember a couple years ago Thurman Munson's Kent State jersey sold for $9K or so, which I think is criminally undervalued. FWIW, I'd pay $750 for your cap in a heartbeat, and I'm not the world's biggest Brooks fan, so probably a couple multiples of that is the max value of it, maybe more.

 

[Liberate Baltimore]

I'd definitely see about getting it authenticated. While a letter from Brooks stating that it's his is good, the current market dictates that a third-party be involved. A letter could be just as easily forged as an item, and players sometimes make mistakes about their own stuff. Also, I agree about not getting it signed if your idea is to resell it at some point.

That does look like an incredible piece, though. It always seems to me that non-MLB equipment of star players is undervalued. I remember a couple years ago Thurman Munson's Kent State jersey sold for $9K or so, which I think is criminally undervalued. FWIW, I'd pay $750 for your cap in a heartbeat, and I'm not the world's biggest Brooks fan, so probably a couple multiples of that is the max value of it, maybe more.

Big Black, great band! I used to have one of those 7" singles in your sig. I do have a signed LOA from Brooks, but am starting to think MEARS is the way to go. It is not a very advanced looking LOA. When the National comes to Baltimore in 2010, I might just bring the item to them there. FWIW, I asked for a value because one of the leading Orioles collector's in the country offered me 5K (from California) for it and wanted a range. Thanks for all of your feedback!

 

[Craig - 21hawk]

I am new to the forum.

No you're not. It may be a different web address than Beckett, but it's the same forum (with some improvements).

Great to see you!

Craig

 

[scotty21690]

Very cool item....thanks for sharing!!