Probably based on the posts on this site around history and memorabilia, I receive the occasional email from folks asking where to find an old item, or more frequently, asking to put a value on something. So I’m like those twins on Antiques Roadshow who price out furniture. Reader Meg sent this note to me recently: I have a signed copy of Roses That Bloomed in the Snow, a book of poetry by J. Fred Lawton. Is it worth anything? Good question. I’ll get to the value in a minute but first, a little about Lawton. From a umich.edu page on the history of the Michigan Marching Band: During the fall of 1911, two Michigan students — J. Fred Lawton and Earl Vincent Moore — decided that the University needed a new song. (Since Michigan was no longer a member of the Western Fooball Conference, the words “…champions of the West…” as sung in the Victors seemed inappropriate.) Together, they wrote the fight song, Varsity, which was an immediate hit at the weekly Friday night pep rally in University Hall at which Moore played his new song on the Frieze Memorial Organ. Fischer was in attendance that night and, upon hearing Varsity, recognized its appeal. He agreed to play the march the next day at the Michigan-Case football game. Yes,…
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No Sale
The auction closed this evening on the 1997 Michigan national championship ring, and no one stepped up to the $3,600 starting bid price. More details on the ring here.
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Fielding H. Yost’s Warning to the Drunks (1933)
With more than a nip in the air the past couple of weeks it’s time to turn to alcohol. Here is a 1934 Michiganesian yearbook with photos from the 1933-34 school year and athletic seasons. Often the yearbooks are dated with the year the school ends (not begins), therefore for football purposes this beauty contains recaps and photos of the 1933 national championship season, not 1934, arguably the worst season in Wolverine pigskin history. The value of the yearbook is certainly lifted by the presence of president-to-be, Gerald Ford, here in his Delta Kappa Epsilon fraternity photo: The seller shows a few photos in the auction but the highlight is this–some type of cartoon the yearbook staff thankfully included: I love it. Above notation “The Alumni Return”, the box reads, “Drinkers Are Warned Again By Coach Yost. Stadium Officials Ordered to Eject All Spectators Found Drunk“, and the cartoon depicts a happy fellow in a raccoon coat chugging a bottle of the good stuff. While this was clearly part of the 1934 yearbook, it’s possible it was some sort of nostalgic piece from earlier school years. Why? Fielding H. Yost probably would have been referred to as “Director Yost” if this were written in 1933 or 1934. This school year featured the end of Prohibition with ratification of the 21st…
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Official WTKA announcement, Local Afternoon show
Just sent to registered listeners from WTKA: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 9, 2008 In an effort to provide more localism in radio, Sports Talk 1050 WTKA-AM announces the return of a LOCALLY-based Afternoon Drive Program from 3:00pm – 6:00pm, Monday through Friday. Titled “Ann Arbor’s Big Show”, the program will feature a stable of revolving local hosts including the return of Jeff DeFran and Ben Holden to the airwaves of WTKA. After the first of the year, renowned author John U. Bacon will also serve as a revolving host. The program debuts on Wednesday December 10, 2008 The focus of the show will be tight on the University of Michigan Athletic Programs, but will also expand outwards. Eastern Michigan University Athletics, LOCAL high school programs, and local lifestyle features will also have prominent roles.
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Rich Rod’s passive shot at Spartans?
I hate polls and the use of polls to determine championships and I just can’t believe the Big 12 thought it wise to allow the BCS to determine their teams in the league championship game. But anyway, it’s fun to dig in and see how folks actually voted. ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg responded to a question in his Mailbag post and suspects old Rich Rod took a shot across the bow at the Spartans: Matt from Midland, Mich., writes: How could Rich Rodriguez put Northwestern at 16 and Michigan State at 18 if MSU won by 17 at Northwestern, they both lost to Ohio State but Northwestern lost to Indiana who MSU beat, so MSU has a better Big Ten record too? Adam Rittenberg: It’s an interesting placement, to say the least. Michigan State also beat Michigan by more than Northwestern did (14 vs. 7). I know Rodriguez has more of a connection to Northwestern’s staff through his offensive system, which Northwestern implemented almost verbatim after former coach Randy Walker and offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson visited Rodriguez at Clemson in 2000. But it’s hard not to see this as a dig at intrastate rival Michigan State. The answer is……whatever. He probably had Barwis fill the thing out anyway.
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Ricky Freakin’ Leach! – WTKA (audio)
Wow, what a morning on WTKA this morning. Thankfully the full audio podcast is available on WTKA’s website here, please check it out. The former quarterback went OFF this morning on just about everything. The first half of the first segment, Leach talked about the great Adopt-A-Family program which I’ve publicized here, so please consider a donation. But check out the all the clips on WTKA if you didn’t have a chance (they’ve posted about 5-6 files already). Related: Leachapalooza: The Best of Rick Leach on WTKA 12-09
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Defran to host WTKA “Big” Show?
As posted here yesterday, WTKA is launching a new local, live show from 3-6 to replace The Huge Show. Jim Carty posted on his fine blog that the new show may include former morning host Jeff Defran.
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Latest Hoops Rankings: Why do you care?
I’ve heard and read the sentiments of a few M fans who are very bitter that Sims, Harris and the rest of Beilein’s ballers weren’t ranked in the AP or coaches top 25. Who gives a rip? It’d be kind of a milestone (I guess) but beyond that, let’s just play the games and things will fall where they’re supposed to fall.
