Million Dollar Boston Red Stockings Baseball Archive | Antiques Roadshow

The biggest sports memorabilia valuation in ANTIQUES ROADSHOW history gives this PBS icon series a home-run season 19 premiere! Watch to see some of the first baseball cards to be printed, plus personal letters from members of the Boston Red Stockings from the 1870s.
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[@mitchellcaver8261]

I never get tired of watching this over and over.

[@ripsaa2693]

I love how the appraiser almost cries at the end....what a find

[@joefelice5062]

She is crying - she is choked up. Anyone who loves baseball would probably have the same reaction. I would imagine this nice old lady got a call from Cooperstown asking if the HOF could purchase this collection. Fantastic collection!

[@TheStuport]

+Richard Perez Agrees 100 percent!!! Genuine emotion!! Cheers

[@GlennTheSadMarinersFan]

I am having that reaction and I am a Mariners fan.

[@TripletBoysMum]

Stesan1 Go M’s! As far as grandkids.great grand kids selling off, she can put an entail in place to secure ownership over many multiple generations. But I agree the HOF would likely have made a call and she probably sent them, on loan, to their establishment for public display (and at their insurance cost!). Leila Dunbar, the appraiser on the Antiques Roadshow is one of the best, in my top 5.

[@snidelywhiplash]

I've always loved Leila Dunbar. What a peach.

[@David-ur4mp]

A bunch of baseball players in Boston had better handwriting than anyone I've ever met! It's incredible

[@pkell7315]

A Computer wrote the Letters ! 😆

[@jamessveinsson6006]

Because they taught in school

[@PaulsChannel779]

Penmen-ship was everything back then! They had no computers or typewriters and it was heavily practiced in schools with strict discipline..

[@tytytyme33]

Guess I better put it in a bank vault

[@wanderingdrifter3163]

The amount of people today that never took a penmanship class is mind boggling to someone like me being a homeschooled and private schooled individual.

[@sehoujay]

This is history. I dont even follow baseball that much but this an insane collection. I got goosebumps reading the letters the baseball players left her great grandmother, they were writing the letters that day without knowing people 150 years into the future would be reading them. Oh and one of those players was Spalding, one of the most legendary brands in sports today.

[@TheSighphiguy]

old lady: "we're going to keep it in the family". assayer: "its worth at least 1 million dollars". old lady: "SOLD"!

[@hectorabreu2502]

LOLLLLL

[@asianamericancasestudies6434]

Who ever pay that would be one dumb retard.

[@blue3381]

I was thinking the same thing!! lol

[@BezoRazo]

"Family's overrated anyway" xD

[@DjTheDon614]

@@asianamericancasestudies6434 uhm someone would def lay that lol..someone bought lebron james rookie card fkr 1.84 million lol

[@Skellist]

Having letters written by Harry Wright and Albert Spalding, the story of the woman who housed them, the provenance and all those cards, $1M is actually way below what this would actually go for at an auction.

[@housethemous]

This was shot in like ~2002..... It would go for much much much more than that now.

[@aroundtheworldaly]

That was for insurance purposes. Not the predicted value at auction

[@danforhan]

@Fisher Man right becuase nobody under 50 has ever heard of Spalding

[@artful1967]

o look. another youtube "expert"

[@MrTruckerf]

@Fisher Man MONEY is nothing other than paper!

[@joeherald7319]

One of my all-time favorite Antique Roadshow moments. I really like how thrilled the appraiser is. What a joy it would be to have a job you liked as much as she likes hers.

[@Lonewolfmike]

All of the appraisers have things they want to see and they, sometimes, get exactly what they want and you can see it.

[@MrOldrock1]

Some of you may or may not know this, but these are all in reference to the Boston Red Stockings, which is not to be confused with the Boston Red Sox. The Boston Red Stockings, as the lady mentioned, originated as the Cincinnati Red Stockings in 1869 but did not play in 1870 due to financial reasons. Players from the Cincinnati Red Stockings then went to Boston in search of work, and the Boston Red Stockings were then born in 1871. The name changed in 1876 to the Boston Red Caps, because Cincinnnati continued with the Red Stockings as their name and the two teams, both charter members of the new National League, both couldn't be called the Red Stockings. The Boston Red Sox were charter members of the new American League, which first played in 1901. The Boston Braves played for 82 years in Boston, 13 in Milwaukee and the last 54 in Atlanta. The Boston Braves actually played and won their first World Series in 1914, and played the series in Fenway Park because it could hold more fans than the old South End Grounds. So, it's kind of interesting that the Reds, Braves and Red Sox are all sort of connected in one way or another.

[@ajdarko8531]

Love this added info. Thank you for adding these amazing details

[@TheStuport]

I've always been touched by how emotional Leila Dunbar becomes in saying how this is THEE greatest sports archive she has ever been part of in valuing! I have always enjoyed her spots on The Antiques Roadshow! Cheers Everyone!!

[@dorinemort6359]

I love how choked up the appraiser gets when she delivers the good news, so sincere

[@MrTruckerf]

YES! And the owner jerked like she'd been zapped with a stock prod!

[@hxhdfjifzirstc894]

It's too bad she jammed a bunch of thumb tacks everywhere, before she knew how much it was worth...

[@NRG-ko5om]

They don't use thumbtacks, they are small magnets that hold it against the back board. They are professionals.

[@tesswoodard8949]

The fact that these even exist!! Just wow

[@777vikingfan]

Aside from the cards. The writing is impeccable. No one writes like that anymore!

[@joshyaash]

Probably because teachers don't beat the schoolchildren now lol.

[@smartguy9765]

And these were big strong professional baseball players lol

[@H-Vox]

A lost art

[@Leto_0]

We also don't use very good grammar, ediquete, or diction anymore. You can see the effects of our communication weakness all over the internet anytime someone argues politics, it's the opposite of progress. Nobody knows how to communicate anymore and it'll be the death of the lower classes if we don't pick ourselves back up and relearn the things our ancestors developed over countless centuries.

[@develynseether4426]

@@Leto_0 imagination, creativity, resourcefulness are all being stimied. Think of how many old crafts are dying out because they aren't passed on anymore. Hollywood is making so many reboots because so few fresh ideas are around. Even when I was a kid we used Lego to fuel our imagination, now its all about pre-built sets leaving nothing to create from the mind. We are on a collision course with an attention deficit society.

[@DJayAce4]

Wow that's amazing, to see the appraiser tear up just shows how special these cards really are.

[@mrcrabmoney]

Awww this was such a beautiful moment! For the appraiser and the owner. What a collection.

[@Gr8Layks]

The appraiser loves her subject matter--she started to become effusive at 2:31, but checked her emotion as she glanced at the camera. I admire her passion.

[@MrTruckerf]

What a pro! I would have lost my voice and been unable to speak.

[@NB-ky5ol]

I’m just sitting her admiring their handwriting and thinking we need to teach this again. Also, to think that a simple act, men writing a thank you, has become significant over time. I doubt any of them could imagine that their note and cards would last over 100 years let alone be worth a million dollars.

[@MrReed314]

Don't forget...The incredible provenance that goes with the set...The rareness of these awesome cards are each gaspers all by themselves, but with all that heavy provenance, the signatures of Spaulding and the Wright Brothers and probably others on the team shoots the value way up...And by the way: did anyone notice that little 'sweetener' to the entire archive set? There is even a team card for the final touch to make it all complete.

[@aloysiusneumeyer171]

It’s the best archive I’ve ever seen at a road show .... As she is tearing up that’s how powerful that is

[@joeheid2776]

When grandma almost dropped an F-bomb.

[@wingcommanderwalton3820]

Joe Heid 2:23, she reveals she is John McEnroe’s mother!

[@djnumeric]

These cards should be in Cooperstown.

[@patrickbronson437]

Well said. Amen

[@hd-xc2lz]

And she could loan it to Cooperstown, doesn't have to sell.

[@Okidata29]

One day maybe

[@testy462]

Well buy it and donate..

[@thisguyrighthere3647]

Indiana was the dog's name.

[@SwampyWilkinson]

"holy smokessss..."

[@Emmet-mc9um]

Swampy Wilkinson lol

[@franciswhizzite]

She had a brain malfunction there, probably overloaded by all the possibilities.

[@heyyou5801]

She should have said what she wanted. They would have bleeped it lol

[@novawins9301]

Lmaooooooo I’m dying

[@noahboat580]

I never even heard about 1872 baseball cards, nor Spalding! 1M dollars is pretty fair with how good of an archive that is. With enough generations theyll basically be artifacts

[@unseelie63]

Amazing.This goes on my Best Roadshow Moments playlist.I've seen many an enthused appraiser on the show,but thus far only one such has gotten more emotional than this woman.It was over a marble piece done by a Chinese master carver during the Tang Dynasty,the kind of thing you only see in museums now. What a fabulous piece of Americana! I hope her family keeps this collection well cared for after she's passed!

[@zenkibadjula846]

Wow the handwriting of those players were legit!

[@Jaydoggy531]

And the eloquence to boot!

[@mattsbaseballcardbreaks5952]

Because it's back when people were actually educated that they had the ability to write and speak eloquently.

[@donc2446]

Penmanship used to be a thing that was taught and insisted upon.

[@PDC1987]

It was required. Back then, and for ages after, they wouldn’t even let you advance grades in school unless you could write properly.

[@mtecgrad]

I'm Gen X and love writing proper cursive. It was something we had to learn in grade school and it was fun as a class to do it. Lots of laughs back then!

[@graniteman62]

No matter how much its worth,when real history is shown its breathtaking

[@joecool2125]

The story and the letter are awesome! They tell so much about the beginnings of professional baseball. Definitely belong in Cooperstown!

[@atsilawaya]

You know you really have something amazing when your treasure brings the appraiser to tears!

[@Vicvines]

I love this woman. Look at how elated she is. And the best part is that it's not about the money to her. Yeah she's speechless, who wouldn't be after hearing something like that? But her response was to put it in a bank vault. Not to sell it on eBay, but to preserve it. THAT'S INTEGRITY. And for you young people, if you want to see integrity, look to your grandmothers.

[@stevesteve1729]

My grandma is a crack head prostitute

[@TheStuport]

+Vic Vinegar I was also blown away by the genuine emotion of the appraiser as well! The whole clip is just Classic!! Cheers

[@maxxweber4336]

and you did not fall far from the tree.

[@paulnfriends8464]

Patrick mines dead

[@paulnfriends8464]

Patrick she died because she stayed with an abusive grandpa who hurt her because she had no integrity

[@5ledan]

I think the appraiser may have even undervalued this collection. Truly a one of a kind piece. I get the Wagner is the Holy Grail, but this is far more rare.

[@creepybiscuit9685]

Nope, it went to auction and sold for 127,000. He overvalued it... by a lot.

[@TheOmildlyOinformed]

@@creepybiscuit9685 Do you just come on here to lie through your teeth?

[@networth00]

@@creepybiscuit9685 Who is HE when you said "He overvalued it"?

[@Mike-vj1ut]

I agree with earlier comment, this collection should be in Cooperstown.

[@darrenphillips3489]

Oh my gosh... This is absolutely incredible. What a collection!

[@the4seasons4ever]

what a collection really great for baseball lovers like myself,and all lovers of this American pastime.

[@RySenkari]

Imagine if this was Pawn Stars. Old Lady: So you heard what the expert said, they're worth a million dollars! Rick: I know what the expert said but you've got to look at it from my point of view. I'm running a pawn shop here, they're probably gonna sit for a few months, I'm gonna have all this money tied up....I can give you like two thousand dollars. Old Lady: What? Rick: Two thousand, cash money, right now. I think it's a fair offer. Old Lady: Well, I mean....they've been in the family an awful long time. Rick: I don't trade on sentimental value, this is a business and I'm taking all the risk. Two thousand dollars. Old Lady: Can you do like four thousand? Rick: I really have to stick to my guns here. I'll tell you want, 2,100 and not a penny more. Old Lady: They're worth a million dollars! Rick: I am taking a huge risk buying these baseball cards. 2,100 is all I can do. Old Lady: Can you meet me halfway and do 2,150? Rick: 2,100, cash money. Old Lady: ....well okay, 2,100 it is I guess. (hands over the cards)

[@mentholqueen6672]

Haha! Thats too perfect XD

[@jojaboi77]

Lol, that's true

[@saulandletisia2007]

that still seems high for them.

[@Tanamarito]

You did great! Told the truth.

[@RutnRampage]

LOL yep I watch that show to and Rick takes Millions from everyone

[@kidzbop38isstraightfire92]

Man those cards are unreal.

[@SMcCaskill]

Baseball memorabilia collectors are drooling over this for sure!!!

[@barrykacher7761]

1872 goes down as quite an amazing year. From the video, it was the start of professional Baseball. Back acoss the pond in the UK, thanks to Mr C.W. Alcock, the first ever F.A Cup Final was won by The Wanderers. The first ever International Football match was played (Scotland V England) and 5 years later the first Test Cricket Match was played between England and Australia.

[@darthsynchronic]

For this lady...she should "CASH IT IN" and let the entire world experience this archived collection...enjoy life...it is short..just saying

[@jfk64kennedy95]

you don't have to cash it in, you can "loan" it to a quality museum, they will care for it, maintain it, display it and it will still remain the family's and if cann prove it drawing, may even be able to weasle a monthly, yearly stipend

[@bon3s994]

Or give it to her grandson so he is set for life as a retirement gift.....

[@jfk64kennedy95]

@@bon3s994 he is not set, insurance costs, can't keep in house...not sure you grasp the cost to maintain such an expensive item in a private residence.....if not going to sell, putr in a museum, where can be cared for and protected....

[@Robisme]

Your assuming the next owner loans it to a museum. Maybe she should loan it herself.

[@bighands69]

@@jfk64kennedy95 What is up with people like you thinking everything should be given to a museum. Would you give your house, bank account or belongings to other people to manage for you.

[@johnnyboync1]

leila got all choked up at the end. she'd always been my favorite.

[@rickramos1292]

The "Boston Red Stockings" is what I find most memorable about this. Oh, and the appraiser getting choked up was nifty too.

[@porosnax2269]

The penmanship of the people way back then are really beautiful. OMG!💖💖

[@audreyogorman2923]

Back when people cared about their hand writing

[@mochs62512]

I noticed that too. Nowadays i see teenagers holding pens like 5 year olds.

[@adamclark9004]

Not to mention very articulate

[@bigredc222]

I watch old movies, people wrote beautifully, and spoke perfectly and always dressed nice.

[@Draugluin999]

time is the great enemy

[@ranchump]

Her reaction to one million dollars is just so good

[@MrTruckerf]

She said later she was hoping they were worth twenty thousand dollars, maybe even twenty-five thousand, so she knew they were quite valuable

[@anthonylilly6862]

Incredible to see such beautiful photographs

[@mattalley5064]

Worth, in terms of historical significance, way more than a million bucks. This is a true national treasure.

[@joshschneider9766]

I would pay five bucks to see it as an archive. maybe she can loan it to the MLB hall of fame for a charity display.

[@falljeff111]

Unbelievable to think how fate just happens upon some people to come across their family's old antiques that can amount to such value. And to think that there could be millions of dollars worth of "worthless" items being thrown out after family deaths, yard sales, and the like every year.

[@simgingergirl]

This lady's great-great grandmother was alive at the same time as MY great-grandfather. Shows you just how old my great-grandparents were when they had my grandmother!

[@inthebag84]

with the way the baseball card market has exploded over the last 2-3 years, these would probably be worth double that at this point. Really cool collection!

[@GustoTheGamer]

her grandkids will sell it at pawn stars for 500 bucks.

[@jasonmullins4826]

No...old man steps in and says..."$250 and I am not going any lower."

[@HILLBILLYSFIREWOOD]

The pawn shop is closed down now buddy.

[@stephenbryant5251]

Joshi Oyabun You’re an idiot. You obviously know nothing about the buying low and selling high method.

[@80sruler]

Rick has to frame it and he’s taking all the risk - it may sit around for weeks, maybe days

[@equarg]

Wow! Reminds me of the elderly man who brought in a first generation Navajo Chiefs blanket. 350k to 500K. Some dude old a 2nd generation Navajo blanket in very excellent condition for a whopping 1.5 Million at auction. O_o. I resolve to be kinder to my blankets.

[@electriciandallastx9182]

Thanks for the suggestions you have contributed here.

[@oakballhibbrawlus3255]

Simply wonderful, thanks a Million

[@anton1207740]

Rick Harrison: "I can do $150."

[@locant23]

That lady's voice does not fit her. Sounds so young.

[@vincentaurelius2390]

Non-smoker

[@jamescarter555]

Ha! You're so right

[@sallyskellington3024]

Awe that was perfect, the appraisal was a wow moment.

[@sharondinwiddie308]

Wow those cards are so cool! I would have dropped dead at the value!!!

[@chickey333]

She could make a fortune on the "official authorized reprints" alone couldn't she?

[@fishfire_2999]

I would think so .

[@HonkeyKong54]

100000% yes

[@scrapplepig]

2:34 the appraiser gets choked up.

[@GlennTheSadMarinersFan]

me too.

[@ericswires8534]

You could tell the appraiser was genuinely excited. Her headlights were on if you know what I mean. 🤣🤣

[@Iwillnotbepushed]

This collection should be purchased by MLB and put in the Hall. With Pete Rose.

[@tieiatalks]

When the appraiser got choked up, I did, too!!

[@TzunSu]

Great find. I wonder how insane those prices would be if they were not cut down.

[@nathanbarnhill2307]

When you are dealing with something where there is only one of.... the condition actually matters a lot less. If anyone wants these cards, they must get those ones.

[@kwoner87]

That is one of the coolest things I've ever seen in my life

[@eternalme6077]

I almost Wept. What a Collection....🎸💚

[@Big7media2011]

I guarantee they're worth way more than that.

[@moncorp1]

depends on the market. One year that might only be worth 500k, two years later 1.5 mil. You never really know until you put them on the market.

[@bojidarmartinov5949]

yep, 1 million is a joke to what she has.

[@SpaceCattttt]

What about the black market?

[@eddy4688]

Blacks don't have that sort of money.

[@fernandoluis773]

Eddy lol bruh wtf

[@jasond8477]

2:21, when you wake up and realize you’re late for work

[@reniehandler2595]

Gotta love the thumbtacks through all of these cards and photographs

[@chrismcguinness7814]

Im near sure they were magnetic 👍

[@chrismcguinness7814]

Im near sure they where magnetic fixtures👍

[@josephmeetstravel9762]

Impressive collection!!!

[@Nicks_Thrift_Picks]

I know a guy that knows a guy, tell you what $20 cold cash right now

[@senobudd7404]

Lmao haha

[@AndySaenz]

Nicks Corvette Stop Sure! $20 times 50,000!

[@HILLBILLYSFIREWOOD]

Better Call Saul, bmp

[@Reddeadredemption3]

The saying isn't "cold cash" idiot it's "cold hard cash"

[@theotromp9230]

Probably after this all his children started to visit mom more every day.

[@TStax-ib6wj]

Man I love this show. Sweet ol lady

[@THE______TRUTH]

lol these old people reactions are always so adorable XD

[@AndySaenz]

"Would that we were home again my sentiments have been expressed in the above paragraphs. Big meals"--A.G. Spalding I love their sophisticated grammar back in those days!

[@billschipper1718]

Those are the first cards wow

[@roseforyoubabe]

these are one of a kind cards since no others have turned up...

[@specific78]

that face right after the value reveal looked like a "how do i set up my ebay account" moment lol

[@MaggareN]

Sell it granny! And go on cruise for the rest of your life!

[@wadestanton]

I hope she got off the cruise ship before the covid hit.

[@mfalter2]

I hope these get displayed in the Cooperstown, not in a bank vault.

[@sundi712]

wow very good point

[@moncorp1]

I hope the owner does with them what she wants. We don't live in a collective.

[@hd-xc2lz]

@@moncorp1 No we don't live in a collective, but our history is shared, and seeing paintings in person for example, is a far richer experience that seeing them in reproductions. We have public museums for a reason.

[@skiprocker5751]

Most of the world's treasures are locked in the basement at the Vatican and the Smithsonian. Maybe they will let Cooperstown have a piece of cheese

[@sophiar6996]

I love how the lady doing the appraisal got choked up after witnessing a piece of irreplaceable, valuable history. This was awesome to see!

[@eligebrown8998]

These definitely belong in a museum

[@tomitstube]

amazing collection, for context these pictures were taken just 6 years after abraham lincoln's assassination, end of the civil war, and end of slavery. ulysses s grant was president.

[@patriciawickholm3617]

Takes a minute to wrap my head around just how old these items are!!!

[@gregw9351]

Mort context: Leila also mentions Harry and George Wright as "the original Wright Brothers". Orville Wright, the elder (aviator) Wright Brother, was born in 1871, same year as this collection! :)

[@josephyoudontneedtoknowmyl1836]

All those people standing in line, watching her appraisal, just found out that this lady would be leaving there with a million dollars under her arm? What kind of safety protocols do they have set up for something like that? Did they have an armored car take it directly to a bank for her? I hope so.

[@dacypher22]

They have mentioned it a few times when people have expressed worry for getting items home. They do actually have some pretty serious security to protect people as they leave if it turns out their item is worth a fortune. It would greatly hurt their reputation if a story came out of someone being mugged for their antiques on the way out.

[@bijibadness]

this is why your show is a treasure. me and my family used to watch this show together. and my sister, God bless her, has left us this year. and that makes me pretty sad, I won't lie about that. and I don't want to be cynical and try to drum up Likes. that's not what this is about, Likes come and go - sometimes for comments that are pretty goofy or shallow, I'm sure some are even even faked, staged drama. this isn't that. but I _am_ emotional right now about it, because this show _itself_ is emotional. it's real. it's obvious. at least in these early days. look at how the appraisers actually do get so excited, even weepy in some scenes. you can tell they're absolutely passionate about this stuff. and that, to me, is what makes this show ITSELF a historical treasure. you live from this show, you even learn from it. and you get the great reactions. the very human reactions. anyway. be well, everyone. this is a great, great show. I'll always have those memories. be well. we'll get there.

[@DTB3378]

The appraiser was really excited you could see it on her sweater lol

[@H0TWHEELS]

jeepers creepers why hide this amazing stuff from the world. I would pay to come see it.

[@VegasJPH]

That's awesome. What a collection and to find out "at least" $1m. And I'm not even a baseball card fanatic.

[@one007guy]

Well….there goes my hopes for my baseball collection. Thanks a lot Topps and your tricky free Gold Card trick back in the day. LoL

[@YASBEN1510]

What a great reaction ! Very happy for her. Bravo and congratulations.

[@saint0wen]

Honestly her reaction isn't so much elation. It seems more like if she'd known they were worth that much, she would've sold them years ago.

[@BC_Hunter]

She was followed to her car afterwards and she was never seen again.

[@Sloth55Chunk]

Probably killed by that bitch Carole Baskin

[@farapipsqueek636]

OMG I laughed at that. Bad, bad, bad

[@shaneta4557]

She seems like a really nice lady.. very happy for her!

[@AmyCCloverlanez]

I love these!

[@jeffk2420]

who put the pins through the cards though?

[@Pheonix2022]

They're magnets to hold them on the board, not pins.

[@scooterPEI]

Imagine if he didn’t cut them up. Maybe it has no impact, but cool none the less

[@francischabot1412]

Since they are rare and probably hard to buy in pristine condition it probably doesn't affect the value as much as more common items. It surely affect the value though as it always does.

[@SurvivingTheApocalypse]

For all the people asking, they are not pinned on, they are felt backed magnets.

[@patriciawickholm3617]

WOWZA!!! This was so many years ago, would love to hear an update on what happened to the collection. Hope she didn't put them in a "bank vault".

[@MikhailKalashnikovMiG]

"Holy smokes"? You kiss your mother with that potty mouth young lady?

[@AndySaenz]

Master Debater LMAO 😂

[@Geegeebaba]

Would be awesome if grandma says, "Holy Sh*t" instead.

[@pattydishes6795]

Orson Durkin

[@johnsmith4589]

One woman did say that when her painting was valued $250k - $300k.

[@aperson2730]

@@johnsmith4589 kzbin.info/www/bejne/rp7MmH2gp8loiac

[@HazZzur]

Wow. I can only imagine, that every baseball historic memorabilia collector in the US would be absolutely drooling to get their hands on this collection. I guess that this would be worth multiple millions today at auction.

[@creepybiscuit9685]

It went to auction and sold for 127,000.

[@KandorArchives]

Amazing collection