Free sports memorabilia appraisal day planned for June 4 in Baltimore

WESTHAMPTON, N.Y. – Officials at Grey Flannel Auctions announced today that they have entered into a three-year marketing and promotional deal with the Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation Inc. The foundation is an independent, not-for-profit educational institution dedicated to perpetuating the historic legacy of Babe Ruth, Baltimore’s Orioles and Colts; and local and regional sports. It also operates the Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards.

As part of the new arrangement, Grey Flannel will conduct two annual events at the Sports Legends Museum, which is located adjacent to Baltimore’s Oriole Park and operated by the same management as the Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum. The first of this year’s jointly sponsored events will be a free sports memorabilia appraisal fair held from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, June 4, 2011, in the Sports Legends Museum’s theater.

Grey Flannel’s team of experts will be on hand to accept consignments to future auctions and to provide free appraisals on game-worn apparel, equipment, vintage collector cards, autographed items and any other professional sports memorabilia. Those who attend the appraisal fair will also be admitted free of charge to the Sports Legends Museum.

“It’s a great honor for us to be associated with the Babe Ruth Birthplace Foundation. Their exhibits and programs at the Babe Ruth Birthplace Museum and Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards instill a very positive and lasting impression on youngsters, while at the same time honoring Baltimore’s titans of professional sports,” said Grey Flannel Auctions’ president, Richard E. Russek.

The appraisal fair will take place on the same day as an Orioles home game at Camden Yards (start time: 7:05 p.m.). “It’s a perfect way to spend the day – visiting the incredible Sports Legends Museum at no cost, meeting the Grey Flannel team at the free appraisal fair, then topping it off with an evening in Baltimore’s beautiful Oriole Park, watching the O’s play the Blue Jays,” Russek said.

Michael L. Gibbons, executive director of the Babe Ruth Birthplace & Museum and Sports Legends Museum at Camden Yards, commented: “I have long been a fan of Grey Flannel Auctions’ operation, and to be able to host this event with them for the next three years is very exciting for all of us at the Sports Legends Museum. We think it fits nicely within our mission and look forward to it with great anticipation. It’s a win-win for both sides.”

Additional information about the appraisal fair will be available soon at www.greyflannelauctions.com and www.baberuthmuseum.com.