World Series ring sold at collectibles show
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Eddie Stambaugh of THR & Associates models a Pittsburgh Pirates 1960 World Series ring at the Treasure Hunters Roadshow at the Comfort Inn in Rutland on Tuesday. Cassandra Hotaling / Rutland Herald |
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By HOLLIS KENNEY Herald Correspondent - Published: June 10, 2010
A golden ring marking World Series history has changed hands.
The Treasure Hunters Roadshow kicked off its four-day stay in Rutland on Tuesday, purchasing, among other things, a 1960 World Series ring.
"It was completely unexpected" said Eddie Stambaugh, manager of the event, "Apparently the owner was the last remaining member of the family and decided to see what it was worth."
Stambaugh said the ring had belonged to a scout for the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates championship team that defeated the New York Yankees on the power of a game seven, bottom-of-the-ninth home run by Bill Mazeroski. Stambaugh declined to name the former owner, who also off-loaded two bats used in the same series, but said he left "with a huge smile on his face."
"We see bizarre stuff everyday," Stambaugh said "and there is almost always someone who collects it."
Other recently purchased peculiars include a Victorian-era vampire killing kit, a dress dagger from a Nazi officer, and the bed from Johnny Cash's master suite. Just last week, Stambaugh said he picked up the 1929 Martin guitar used by Billy Cox to jam with Hank Williams Sr., and eventually write four number one hits.
This marks the first time that Treasure Hunters Roadshow has visited Rutland since the touring antique company was founded in 1996. Originally set up as a mode for old toy aficionados to buy and sell their pieces, Treasure Hunters has grown into a nationwide exchange that connects collectors with the public.
They now purchase coins, jewelry, sports memorabilia, musical instruments, old documents, and yes, still toys. After a brief, six-episode video series, Treasure Hunters is now in negotiations with the History Channel for a full television show.
According to Stambaugh, items are appraised within 30 minutes of being viewed, and an offer is made free of charge.
Middlesex resident David Dennis jumped at the opportunity to see what some of his antiques were worth.
"I've been watching [shows like this] for so long that when I heard they were coming to Rutland I said 'get in the car, we are going!' It is just such a happy atmosphere, everybody is always smiling," Dennis said.
Dennis brought an ancestor's military enrollment papers and the corroborating annual report of the town of Demers, Mass., both from 1909.
According to Illinois newspaper reports, Boston public television channel WGBH is suing the operators of the Treasure Hunters Roadshow, which is headquartered in that state, to force the company to stop using the name "Roadshow" and treasure-chest logo, saying it confuses the public who are familiar with the PBS show "Antiques Roadshow."
So many people have brought interesting items in, said Stambaugh, that the company has set up another event in July, this time bringing a larger crew to handle the unexpected numbers.
Treasure Hunters Roadshow is set up at the Comfort Inn off of Route 7. It will be in Rutland until Saturday afternoon, open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For more information go to treasurehuntersroadshow.com.
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