I was contacted by Tim Wiles - Director of Research at the Hall of Fame - UPDATE with another Variat

Stone193 · May 7, 2011 2:00PM

Well - I'm on a roll - so I'd like to share my latest on one of my areas...I know sheet music is a snoozer - but - at least - this is the "anthem" to ML baseball.

As many of you know - I collect the sheet music - Take me out to the Ball Game - 1908 - Jack Norworth.

To date - I've purchased and cataloged 25 variations:

1. Richard & Grover
2. Ida Burt Laurence
3. Wheeler Earl
4. John Marion – Grace Lillian
5. Susie Fisher
6. Nevins & Arnold
7. J. Francis Dooley
8. Henry Fink
9. Trixie Friganza (holding umbrella var.)
10. Trixie Friganza (portrait var.)
11. Sisters Meredith
12. Reynolds & Tucker
13. Sam Williams (standing)
14. Nora Bayes
15. Arna Deck
16. Jack Kloville
17. Sam Williams (sitting)
18. Marion Wilder
19. Harry Fox
20. Netta Vesta
21. Baby Florence Mascotte
22. Billy Sousa
23. Maude Gray
24. Jack Norworth
25. Sadie Jansell

The last one I picked up was the toughest - the Sadie Jansell - which is believed to be the "first printing."

For those who haven't read any of my posts - the pic on the front of the sheet music represents the "variation."

Tim Wiles coauthored the book - published by Hal Leonard - "Baseball's Greatest Hit: The Story of Take Me Out to the Ball Game."

He was really interested to find out I had 25 variations - since he wasn't sure how many existed - he has 21.

But, it turns out they have TWO - I don't have and I have FIVE they don't have!

And here's the 5 they're missing:

1. Trixie Friganza variation - not sure which one you don't have?
2. Marion Wilder
3. Harry Fox
4. Netta Vesta
5. Arna Deck

He wants scans of the 5 - so I've got to get them out to him - I told him - if I get up to NY this summer - I'm gonna drop in.

In the meantime - I now have to find 2 more variations - which will take me to 27. And, unfortunately - there's probably a few more. Tim estimates about 30?

edit: the thread I posted when I picked up my music holy grail.

cpamike · May 7, 2011 2:10PM

No wonder why I can't find any good sheet music for my son to play.

If I ever come across any I'll let you know Mike.

thenavarro · May 7, 2011 3:17PM

Very cool Mike. That should make it extra fun for you to have two more to chase.

Good luck on the quest.

Mike

Piggs · May 7, 2011 5:09PM

Are we all invited to your induction ceremony? You are the definition of a collector Mike, staying focused on what you want.

stevek · May 7, 2011 5:30PM

Very nice indeed Mike...We now have a celebrity on the forum.

detroitfan2 · May 7, 2011 10:23PM

Mike, when I first read the title of your post, I thought for sure the HOF was contacting you because they wanted to interview someone who saw Nap Lajoie get his 3000th hit

.

I should have known it was about sheet music!

Very cool!

Brick · May 7, 2011 11:14PM

Tremendous. I have a feeling you will acquire the ones you still need.

cpamike · May 7, 2011 11:21PM

Actually Mike saw Nap Lajoie get his first hit. He's also still got the ball he got signed after trading him a steak dinner for it.

It of course is at the HOF and Mike is too modest to admit he loaned it to them.

I have one year, seven months on the over/under for Mike finding those last two...or is it just two more???

Edit: For my horrible typing.

WinPitcher · May 8, 2011 12:09AM

Outstanding Mike.

Steve

detroitfan2 · May 8, 2011 1:44AM

<< Actually Mike saw Nap Lajoie get his first hit. He's also still got the ball he got signed after trading him a steak dinner for it. >>

I think you're confusing Mike with Steve (WinPitcher).

Stone193 · May 8, 2011 3:31AM

Thanx for the kind words guys!

I think?

Oh - if anyone gets bored - just google - "The Day I met Babe Ruth."

I have to confess - the two I'm missing? It will be some time I'm sure - but it will give me a reason to keep living!

elsnorto · May 8, 2011 8:22AM

Very cool, Mike! It's always easier to chase something when you know exactly what you are chasing.

I'm curious how Tim chased YOU down? Did he stumble upon your thread here on CU?

Snorto~

Stone193 · May 8, 2011 10:44AM

<< Very cool, Mike! It's always easier to chase something when you know exactly what you are chasing.

I'm curious how Tim chased YOU down? Did he stumble upon your thread here on CU?

Snorto~ >>

Nothing that cool Scott.

I contacted the HOF about a pin I can't ID - and mentioned about the sheet music - thus the contact by the director - otherwise - I'm sure it woulda been handled by the mail room.

He was really interested which made me feel good also - it's not often ya get to be in a position to help the HOF.

EchoCanyon · May 8, 2011 12:14PM

awesome

Stone193 · August 13, 2011 3:01AM

Hi guys

First - Tim Wiles sent me a copy of his book and signed it!

And - more importantly, I found a new variation! That's makes 26 and I'm still missing 2!

Richard Burton:

And last - I'm posting the other 25:

This has been a 7 yr journey - so far - and I'm sure it'll go on for another 7!

I'm looking forward - if it occurs - to be a contributor in the next written report from the HOF.

Tim Wiles asked me if I would consider contributing my collection when I die? Hard to think about that right now - but I will consider it.

divecchia · August 13, 2011 3:11AM

Mike congrats on your latest pickup and good luck with the last 2 that you need.

I agree with Tim, this collection and the passion you have for it is HOF worthy.

Donato

YogiBerraFan · August 13, 2011 3:16AM

That is a very cool collection

TJMAC · August 13, 2011 3:16AM

Wow, what a tremendous honor that would be to have anything of yours in the Hall of Fame. Have you thought about loaning it to them? It would be worth a trip to go up there and see your stuff on display.

WinPitcher · August 13, 2011 3:18AM

Outstanding Mike!

Stone193 · August 13, 2011 7:55AM

<< Wow, what a tremendous honor that would be to have anything of yours in the Hall of Fame. Have you thought about loaning it to them? It would be worth a trip to go up there and see your stuff on display. >>

That's a good thought...

When I complete the run - the last 2 - the names of which I got from the HOF - I will ask them if they'd consider a display - and I would loan them out.

Thanx guys - this is one of my favorite projects!!!

frankhardy · August 13, 2011 8:04AM

Awesome collection.

Mike, have you ever seen Ken Burns documentary on Baseball? It has some very old renditions of of "Take Me Out To The Ball Game". I love those DVD's.

TJMAC · August 13, 2011 8:09AM

I live about 3 and 1/2 hours from the HOF. I go there every few years and would love to see the display. It is your kind of passion that gives me hope for our hobby. The money side of the hobby has its place and I realize it, but it is so much nicer to hear about someone working on a project they are passionate about. Downtown74's box of vintage cards is another project I enjoyed looking at too. It may be a bad analogy, but being involved in a project you're passionate about is like being with a woman you're in love with. Bragging about the latest score reminds me of a one night stand. A moments thrill and then it is gone.

Thanks Mike for sharing.

Stone193 · August 13, 2011 8:28AM

<< Awesome collection.

Mike, have you ever seen Ken Burns documentary on Baseball? It has some very old renditions of of "Take Me Out To The Ball Game". I love those DVD's. >>

Hi Shane

Thanx.

First let me say that all the variations - i.e. - those performers were placed on the sheet music because of the fact that they promoted the song. Some of them were superstars like Jack Norworth and Nora Bayes and others were "hired" boosters who promoted the song around the country.

A little sociological statement: Norworth changed the lyrics in 1927 to reflect the changing times where woman were more assertive - getting the right to vote - and - of interest - many played the piano - so they became "sellers/promoters" of the music - back in the 20s people hung out in the living room singing songs - with someone playing the piano.

Also - Norworth was a savvy businessman - early copyrights allowed the 1908 version to become public domain - but the second version - won't become public domain until 2022.

On the versions - yes - I've heard many of them.

The oldest one I have is Edward Meeker - 1908 - Edison Records.

Take me out...Edward Meeker.

Stone193 · August 13, 2011 8:29AM

<< I live about 3 and 1/2 hours from the HOF. I go there every few years and would love to see the display. It is your kind of passion that gives me hope for our hobby. The money side of the hobby has its place and I realize it, but it is so much nicer to hear about someone working on a project they are passionate about. Downtown74's box of vintage cards is another project I enjoyed looking at too. It may be a bad analogy, but being involved in a project you're passionate about is like being with a woman you're in love with. Bragging about the latest score reminds me of a one night stand. A moments thrill and then it is gone.

Thanks Mike for sharing. >>

Thanx for the kind words TJ.

MeteoriteGuy · August 13, 2011 8:44AM

That old Edison container is really cool.

Good luck finding the any you are missing. Perhaps you might consider writing an article on them.

Clear Skies,
Mark

cpamike · August 13, 2011 11:43AM

<< That's a good thought...

When I complete the run - the last 2 - the names of which I got from the HOF - I will ask them if they'd consider a display - and I would loan them out. >>

Hey Mike,

I'd love to take a road trip to see your display in Cooperstown. I used to go to college in Utica and passed by Cooperstown many times.

I'm still on the lookout for those last 2!!!

Stone193 · August 13, 2011 11:47AM

Thanx Mark.

Hi Mike

Thanx - me too!

I look every day.

I did find one of them in a local museum in some state - and it's the first color representation I've had of the music.

It's hard to believe that I've been doing this for 7 yrs now!

Without ebay - this would've been impossible.

Stone193 · October 20, 2011 8:29AM

Hi Everyone

Well I guess this could go on forever!

I'm still missing two people that the HOF gave me but I also found another variation by accident.

I have a portrait shot of Henry Fink - and his portrait caught my eye on ebay - probably due to the red stamp on the pic - well it's not a reverse negative but actually another pic of him! He's looking in the other direction from the original I have - and in one you can see his teeth and not in the other.

That brings me up to 27 variations and missing 2. Since Tim Wiles book estimates about 30 variations - I've got 27 - missing 2 - which brings me to 29. We'll see?

Here's my original:

and the new one I found - you can see the subtle difference:

I've also picked up a handful of board games over the past few months - but I'm afraid there'd be very little interest.

TNP777 · October 20, 2011 8:38AM

very, very cool, Mike! Good luck pulling down the two new variations!

Stone193 · October 20, 2011 2:18PM

<< very, very cool, Mike! Good luck pulling down the two new variations! >>

Thanx Geordie.

cpamike · October 20, 2011 10:47PM

Hello Mike, hope all is well with you and the family.

Congrats on finding another unknown variation!!! It looks like this may never truely be done as you may never know the true universe.

Stone193 · October 21, 2011 2:57AM

<< Hello Mike, hope all is well with you and the family.

Congrats on finding another unknown variation!!! It looks like this may never truely be done as you may never know the true universe. >>

Thanx Mike.

Ya know - I'm gonna donate this collection to the HOF some day - and if it were to be maintained as a permanent exhibit? I'm immortal!!!

I was contacted by Tim Wiles - Director of Research at the Hall of Fame - UPDATE with another Variat

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