2013 Boston Marathon Memorial Tribute Collection
This is a one-of-a-kind, professional display of authentic items from runners actually participating in the 2013 Boston Marathon (the year of the tragic bombing that also created a new worldwide mantra for courage and resiliency known as "Boston Strong". There are 12 separate pieces of cherished items including the following: the official program for the 117th Boston Marathon, runner's pass with lanyard, the merchandise catalog, the Addidas bib of former champions and four separate place cards. These include Amby Burfoot-1963, Jacqueline Hansen-1973, Joan Samuelson-1979/1983 and Greg Meyer-1983. This arrangement also has the Mile 27 after race party ticket (an occasion that never occurred due to the bombing). The 26.2 magnet is also presented. The May 4, 2013 special edition of Boston magazine is an excellent addition to this display, as Marathon runners donated their shoes, where they were arranged in a heart symbol with the determined sloga, "We will finish the race." The final item is the first released image of the Boston Strong composite 8" × 10" print in high resolution on heavy, top grade paper with USA production. (Although later mass produced in various formats around the world). These items were presented for specialized, museum quality, customized framing. Everything was prepared with acid-free matting, and spacers to lift the glass up off the mounting surface to accommodate larger pieces. Some of the items are "floating" on top of the matte, in order to display the entirety of the item from a three-dimensional prospective. These unique and cherished tributes remain in mint condition, and covered with specialized, UV filtering glass. The careful preparation ensures protection, along with multiple layers of foam backing. This display can be a permanent arrangement of sports memerbelia forever, or has also been prepared for the safe removal of any or all items in the future, as no harsh glues were utilized, Again, museum quality standards were implemented so that the full integrity of each and every individual piece of marathon history will stay in the best possible condition forever.
The outside measurements include a HEIGHT of 40.5", and a WIDTH of 31".
Other
Yes
Hi April,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
Pieces like these are difficult to appraise in some ways because there are no truly comparable works by which to base a comparison. That said, there are other historic sporting events that might compare on an exactly similar scale but which can provide some idea of the market for collectibles from sporting events that were the scene of and/or commemorated historically significant events (the first NYC marathon after 9-11, souvenirs from the 1989 San Francisco-Oakland World Series on the day of the earthquake, the Oct. 27, 2004, World Series game between the Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals when the Curse of the Bambino ended).
Because of the dearth of direct comparables, do you mind if I consult with a collector/dealer of sports collectibles? It might take longer than 48-hours but I think they'll be able to direct me towards some good value comparisons by which to base my appraisal?
Thanks to confirm,
Delia
Hi April,
I heard back over the weekend from my colleague, and they recommended a very similar estimate: $12,000-18,000. They also suggested selling this through a Boston-based auction house (there are several - Doyle Boston, Bonhams Skinner and Tremont come to mind, though neither of them have a dedicated sports collectibles department as Heritage does (Heritage casts a very broad net and would do well with this, I'm sure. I've updated the price on this to $12-18,000; let me know if you need additional assistance on this.
Yes ma'am, of course! I totally understand that it's a different type of collection, and has an emotional attachment that would appeal to a specific person, group or organization. If this helps, Heritage estimated $10,000 - $15,000....but recommended the higher estimate might be appropriate actually in Boston, or in a specialized charity auction, for example. Thank you again for all your special assistance in this!