**** We want to announce that our first auction of 2008 is now open for bidding. We had originally scheduled to open the bidding on 1/21, but after numerous requests to start the auction early we decided to open it up early. So, please take a look at the 100 items we have by clicking the Auction button on the top of the screen. We will be on vacation from 1/12 through 1/19, but will be happy to answer all your questions after we return.****

**** I'll be away in Florida this weekend, but you know that I'll be rooting "Big Blue" onto victory over the Cowboys.

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SPALDING TROPHIES

Did you ever wonder how Major League ball players could sell off their old trophies? I've seen numerous times where an athlete will sell off his Gold Glove trophy or a champioship ring and wonder- why? It's probably as simple as us tossing away an old bowling trophy- it becomes a dust collector- so why not turn it into cash.

Now, the Spalding Trophies of the 20's/30's are much more than dust collectors- they are pieces of art. They feature different poses of baseball players that are simply incredible and very hard to come by. We have seen these trophies fetch as much as $3,500 each. I doubt if any of us had been given one of these, we would be quick to get rid of them.