Schulte Auctions Features The Greco Collection Vintage Game-Used Memorabilia
Vincent Greco, born and raised in Baltimore during the early thirties was a pioneer in the game of baseball. Already a professional photographer during his early forties Vince was approached by Orioles management Lee McPhail and Joe Hamper in the late fifties, to see if they could use film to evaluate the players performance during workouts and actual games. Vince agreed but was not compensated, except that in exchange for his 35-millimeter reel he received Orioles game tickets.
Vince was the first photographer, to take a position in the stands, with his Bell and Howell Super 8 camera to shoot the players. His commitment and passion paid dividends for the team and especially for the coaches and individual players who could now witness their mechanics on film for the first time. Greco never was compensated by the Orioles but eventually started trading his film and equipment with the team for multi-signed baseballs he would receive during Spring Training and the end of the season.
He had a very close relationship with all the Orioles players spanning the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. Many players use to come over Vince’s home for outdoor barbeques. During the mid-60’s, Super 8 home movies became very popular and Vince use to provide the players and coaches with great pricing on camera equipment and they would reciprocate by giving him game used equipment such as fielders gloves, bats and quite a number of team signed baseballs from various years. Vince expanded his workload providing the Baltimore Colts, Baltimore Bullets and John Hopkins lacrosse with his film expertise.
“My father was a real visionary, not only concerning the videography but he kept everything (memorabilia) and told us the items he was accumulating would be valuable one day, said Chele Greco-Nutter, Vince’s daughter.”
When Vince passed away the family needed to inventory all the items dating back to the 60’s and then get them authenticated. Dennis Esken, a world renowned game-used equipment authenticator, who resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, was then contacted. At the time, there were thirty-five (35) games used gloves from players such as Brooks Robinson, Davey Johnson, Mark Belanger, Paul Blair, Jim Palmer, Boog Powell, Doug DeCinces, Al Bumbry, to name a few. Many of the thirty-five (35) have already been auctioned including a few of the above mentioned.
“This is one of the finest and most significant game-used finds that I have ever witnessed, said Esken. Not only were there thirty-five (35) game-used fielder’s gloves but they are still in the condition from when the players used them, a collector’s dream.”
Today, the remaining Vincent Greco Collection memorabilia items have found a home with SchulteAuctions.com. Currently posted on the on-line auction platform are game used gloves from Eddie Murray (circa 1977-79), Jim Palmer (Spalding Model 4220), Mike Cuellar (circa 1969–71), Tippy Martinez (circa 1978-79), Dave McNally (circa 1965-68), Paul Blair (Wilson Model A 2000-1465) and Mike Flanagan (circa 1980), to name a few. The auction also features many multi-signed team baseballs from the Greco Collection including past Orioles teams dating back to the 60’s and 70’s.
Schulte Auctions provides a letter of authenticity for each game-used glove auctioned signed by Dennis Esken and Chele Greco-Nutter. Each multi-signed team baseball from the Greco Collection has been authenticated by renowned autograph authenticator and comes with a letter of authentication from James Spence Authentication.
Today every professional team has extensive video equipment - coaches and players live by the film. Vince was truly a baseball visionary and pioneer. Even though he recently passed away, his legacy will live on through The Vincent Greco Collection!
Visit www.SchulteAuctions.com to register, preview and start bidding on some great Orioles historic game-used memorabilia! Bidding ends Monday, November 30th at 9:15 pm EST. Check out SchulteAutions.com on Facebook.
