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Gloves from Ripper Collins Personal Glove Collection |
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The following three gloves and mitts are from the personal collection of 1930's baseball star Ripper Collins. Ripper was known mostly for his outstanding years and colorful character with the "Gashouse Gang" St. Louis Cardinals of the early to mid 1930's. Injuries cut his playing career short. After his playing career Ripper became an executive for the Wilson Sporting Goods Company as Director of Professional Baseball Division. For many years Wilson's top of the line basemitt was endorsed by "Ripper Collins". Ripper's job with Wilson involved finding players specific needs and having gloves and equipment made to their specifications. As an annual rite of Spring, for 15 years Ripper drove to Spring Training in Florida to supply the Major Leaguers with gloves and equipment. Much of the gloves he collected was from this time. In a 1958 Baseball Magazine article about Ripper Collins it states "His collection of baseball gear and souvenirs surely is the finest in existence, with the exception of the Hall of Fame in Cooperstown". Truly, it is safe to say that Ripper Collins was the first signifigant glove collector. These gloves and mitts were recently acquired from noted glove collector Ron Carlson who obtained them directly from Ripper Collins son Randall Collins. Each glove from this collection comes with a letter from Ron Carlson, a copy of the letter from Randall Collins and a copy of the three page 1958 Baseball Magazine article about Ripper Collins collection. The last line in the letter from Randall Collins is "This collection also includes a first baseman mitt made by Wilson which he used while with the Cubs as a coach". That's the first mitt listed here. 1. James "Ripper" Collins Coach Used Mitt, Wilson A2802 James "Ripper" Collins model. This was Ripper's mitt while a coach with the Chicago Cubs from 1961-63. In addition to using this mitt as a coach this was Ripper's personal mitt throughout the 1950's and 60's. This mitt has a customized finger slot in cut in back to accomodate his injured forefinger. The slot was cut where the cloth label was. Collins is written lightly on the back. Exceptional condition. LHT Ex/Mt $650 2. 1930's-40's Wilson 617 Split Finger Glove, When a pro quality Wilson glove finds it's way into this collection it can be safely assumed it was professionally game used then given or swapped to Ripper Collins by the player while Ripper was working for Wilson. That can be said for this glove. It's for a right hand thrower so it wasn't Rippers own glove. It's a high quality "Professional Model" glove with the initials B.E.F. on the wrist strap. If you can find a right handed professional player from the early 1940's with those initials, in my opinion there's a good chance this glove was theirs. This glove has a wonderful patina. Has light wear on the insides. A beauty. RHT Ex/Mt+ $195 sold 3. Billy Martin Wilson A2958 Three Finger Glove, This one is a store bought glove. Martin being a Wilson glove endorser I'm sure Ripper dealt with him many times. This glove is a mid size three finger that has nice vinyl piping and nicely patinated dark red/brown leather. RHT Ex/Mt $125 sold |
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