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1978 Roy Campanella "Old Timers Day" Suitcase
Rare and substantial commemorative gift presented to Hall of Fame catcher Roy Campanella by the New York Mets for Campanella's participation in the club's 1978 Old Timers' Day game. Campanella was one of many former stars who attended the game, held on July 8th, at Shea Stadium, and even though he was unable to participate in the game due to his paralytic condition, he was warmly received by the 23,007 fans who turned out for the festivities. As a parting gift, the Mets presented Campanella with a handsome leather suitcase produced by Hartmann Luggage. The front clasp is specially engraved "Oldtimers Day/Shea Stadium/July 8, 1978." One of the top straps bears the Mets' team logo and name, while the other features Campanella's initials, "R. C." The "Hartmann Luggage" name appears both on the exterior and interior. Included with the suitcase are four reels of vintage 8 mm film. One records Campanella's Baseball Hall of Fame induction, another records Campanella batting during a game at Ebbets Field, a third records Campanella giving an interview, and the contents of fourth are unknown (the film reel is taped and we did not want to damage the film by attempting to remove it; "Dodgers" is written on the tape). It should be noted that we have not viewed the films on a projector, but we were able to ascertain their subject matters by simply looking at some of the early panels against a light. Unfortunately, we do not know the history of the films, or how they came to be included with the suitcase, other than the consignor told us they came with the suitcase when he obtained it many years ago. We are not sure if every "Old Timer" received a suitcase from the Mets in 1978, but this is the only such example we have seen. The suitcase (25x18x8") displays moderate wear, consistent with it having been used as intended, and the closing mechanisms remain in working order.
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