Million Dollar Boston Red Stockings Baseball Archive | Antiques Roadshow 

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

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

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

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.

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.

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!!

I never get tired of watching this over and over.

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.

The fact that these even exist!! Just wow

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

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

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

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.

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

When grandma almost dropped an F-bomb.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

These cards should be in Cooperstown.

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

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

Wow the handwriting of those players were legit!

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

"holy smokessss..."

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!

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

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.

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)

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

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.

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.

Man those cards are unreal.

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

Incredible to see such beautiful photographs

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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!

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

Her reaction to one million dollars is just so good

2:34 the appraiser gets choked up.

Thanks for the suggestions you have contributed here.

Simply wonderful, thanks a Million

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.

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

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

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!

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.

Rick Harrison: "I can do $150."

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

lol these old people reactions are always so adorable XD

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

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

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

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

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

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

Man I love this show. Sweet ol lady

Gotta love the thumbtacks through all of these cards and photographs

Back when people cared about their hand writing

I guarantee they're worth way more than that.

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

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

Those are the first cards wow

"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!

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

Impressive collection!!!

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

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

These definitely belong in a museum

Great history Spaulding wow

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

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

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

Amazing collection

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

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

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

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".

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.

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.

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

Love the Wright Brothers! I recently visited George's grave.

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

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

I love these!

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

closer to 2/3 million.

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

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

Wow...my great uncle played for Boston red socks in 1936 ....JOHN KRONER......

It belongs in the Hall of Fame....Period!

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.

"Holy Smokesssss" I love how the owner emotes after the appraisal. Her reaction is actually practical. She is from an American generation never to be seen again.

I rank this right up there with the jade collection and the Seymour card table as my favorites.