The Personal Collection of Warren Spahn
We are pleased to present the personal collection of Warren Spahn to you, the collecting public. While Spahn's career pitching accomplishments are deservedly chronicled within the other introductions/forewords for this auction catalogue I felt compelled to point out just one for which I have a specific fondness. 382 career complete games ranking 19th in the history of the game with the majority of the pitchers ahead of Spahn on that list having played in the 19th or early 20th century. For those who have pitched at any level of baseball or those who follow the game, that accomplishment most certainly speaks to the inherent excellence of Warren Spahn as a pitcher. It is a staggering feat that truly illustrates Spahn's legendary durability and mental fortitude placing his legacy soundly at the elite level among the greatest pitchers in Major League history.

Artie Gore Collection
Lots 590 - 598 originate from the collection of former Major League umpire Artie Gore. Arthur Joseph "Artie" Gore was a professional baseball umpire who worked in the National League from 1947 to 1956. Gore umpired 1,464 major league games in his 10 year career. He umpired in two World Series and two MLB All-Star Games. Gore played minor league baseball in 1928 and 1929 as a shortstop. His lifelong affiliation with the game of baseball and in particular the Boston area allowed Gore to accumulate an outstanding related grouping of materials. With specific note to the Ted Williams jersey and the Jackie Robinson inaugural game baseball the collection includes several unique and significant items of noted rarity.

Ted Leaper Collection
Lots 634 - 641 originated from Earl Theodore (Ted) Leaper, a former employee of the prestigious Paramount Theater in New York City. The Paramount Theatre was a noted 3664 seat movie palace located at 43rd Street and Broadway in the Times Square district of New York City. Opened in 1926, it was premiere showcase and New York headquarters to Paramount Pictures, setting a box office record for the city of $80,000 in one week. Leaper managed the theater from its inception in 1926 which catered to the New York City elite. He befriended baseball players by offering them free passes to the theater as a promotional effort. Through his efforts, he accumulated an extraordinary collection of baseballs and game used bats by the most notable of that era. These artifacts have been in the family's possession until this offering. As recounted by the Leaper family, nearly a dozen or so Babe Ruth game used baseball bats were delivered to the family residence around 1958 including some examples Òwith notchesÓ near the centerbrand area. Unfortunately, all but one of those Ruth bats were used in sand lot baseball play during the 1950-60s leaving the offered surviving bat as the lone specimen from the collection. Highly desirable group of Yankees 1920-1930s era materials with primary source provenance being offered for the first time publicly.

Pittsburgh Pirates
Lots 545-549 represent a selection of materials that relate to current players of the Pittsburgh Pirates This grouping includes game used and signed items from Andrew McCutchen and Starling Marte. Hunt Auctions is a proud sponsor of the Pirates with a retail location at PNC Park in Pittsburgh. This selection of materials originate directly from the Pirates team in conjunction with out partnership and each have been certified by the Major League Baseball Authentication program. We have come to appreciate the passionate nature of Pirates fans and feel confident that these items will generate fine interest as it relates to this exciting period in Pirates team history.

Philadelphia Phillies
Lots 550-579 represent several collections of materials with relation to the Philadelphia Phillies. Hunt Auctions is proud to be a sponsor of the Phillies with a retail location located in Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. The items within this section well demonstrate the passion exhibited by several collectors which appropriately mirrors that of the team's fan base.

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