Collector’s items a big sell at FanFest

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links. See About archive blog posts.

Casual fans will find autographed baseball cards, old cereal boxes and other items in stands all around the 2010 All-Star FanFest, which was in its second day Saturday at the Anaheim Convention Center.

More dedicated collectors will find one-of-a-kind artifacts and artwork that could sell for up to $250,000.

Sports- and Disney-themed works by artists Bill Lopa and Charles Fazzino were shown in displays where collectors could buy original pieces, prints or posters at a variety of prices.

‘People will come in at a show like this and spend $25,000 like it’s nothing,’ said Joe Emmett, vice president of sales for Lopa Studios.

Lopa’s colorful paintings include portraits of famous athletes and unique takes on NCAA logos. He was the official artist of the 2008 All-Star game as well as at several Super Bowls and other high-profile events. Along with many baseball paintings, his originals displayed at the show included a Kobe Bryant portrait that would sell for around $35,000 and a Notre Dame monogram, signed by three of the school’s Heisman Trophy winners, which Emmett quoted at around $10,000.

Fazzino’s show included three-dimensional paintings as well as decorated baseballs, bases and helmets. He has been working in 3D mixed-media for 29 years and has been doing baseball-themed work for 18 years. Some of his larger pieces can take a month to put together, Fazzino said.

‘With my work you get the wow factor,’ he said. ‘A lot of people come in who have never seen it before.’

Along with the artwork for sale, Pennsylvania-based Hunt Auctions will hold a live auction on Tuesday, which will include many high-priced as well as more-accessible collector’s items. The top item for bid is a 1909 Honus Wagner Tobacco Card Proof, which has an estimated value of $250,000 or more.

David Hunt, president of Hunt Auctions, said the proof has drawn national interest and that the auction will include phone and Internet bids along with bids from those present at the event.

However, Hunt said many of the artifacts, such as California Angels jerseys, have drawn local interest and will be affordable to the casual collector.

‘It’s important to MLB and to us that there’s stuff for everybody,’ he said.

-- Laura Myers