Memorabilia offered at All-Star Fan Fest

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June 27, 2012

Memorabilia offered at All-Star Fan Fest

By Anvil Welch Globe Sports Writer The Joplin Globe Wed Jun 27, 2012, 12:11 AM CDT

Bring some extra cash if you plan to attend the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star Fan Fest.

An abundance of vendors in the Kansas City Convention Center on July 6-10 will allow fans to buy a variety of baseball memorabilia.

Then, there’s the live auction presented by Hunt Auctions for serious collectors.

Jeremy Kraft, director of consignments for Pennsylvania-based Hunt Auctions, and publicist Katie Leighton were in Joplin briefly on Tuesday.

Said Kraft: “We go around in advance and try to drum up interest in the auction — it’s sort of an antique road show — for baseball material.”

Letting people know how to obtain free appraisal of items is an important part of the advance team.

The company ideally hopes people will look in closets, etc., find items and eventually they will be appraised, bought and auctioned. The company website is huntauctions.com.

Kraft, who’s been working for Hunt five years, believes there will be some 700 lots auctioned on July 10 starting at 10 a.m.

Hours are 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. on July 6 through July 9. Fan Fest on game day goes from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

There were 791 lots at the Hunt Auction in St. Louis in 2009. Kraft estimated the auction realized 1 1/2 million dollars.

The collector probably will find unexpected items in Kansas City. The event in St. Louis naturally had a definite St. Louis flavor.

Kraft said this year’s auction won’t lack Cardinal items, either, with several items including those belonging to the late Eddie Stanky (former St. Louis manager) on the block.

Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Palmer apparently is selling both Cy Young awards (estimated price between $60,000-$80,000 apiece) and Gold Gloves ($10,000-$20,000).

Kraft said a portion of the proceeds from the Palmer items will go to charity.

Several items from the (late) Harmon Killebrew Collection will be auctioned. Plus, the Eddie Onslow Collection (a teammate of both Babe Ruth and Ty Cobb).

George Brett bats and jerseys will be available, Kraft said, and two single signed baseballs by Ruth (estimated $20,000-$30,000 apiece). A 1951 Pee Wee Reese Brooklyn Dodger home jersey is expected to fetch $20,000-$30,000.