ICA - The Insider

Washington Nationals Game and Gala...............

May 3rd was a beautiful day in and around the Maryland / Washington DC area.  I drove down from Baltimore to Washington DC to meet with Sean Gibson (Josh Gibson's great grandson).  Sean was throwing out the first pitch of the Nationals / Pirates game.  He arranged for me to be on field, behind home plate,  prior to his ceremonial pitch.  Both organizations were celebrating the Negro Leagues by wearing throwback uniforms.  Several Negro Leaguers were in attendance and signed autographs along with Sean during the first three innings of the game.  It was an exciting game with the Nationals prevailing 9-8.

After the game I took off for the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation Gala which was being held at the new Gaylord Resort not far from the new ballpark.  Ironclad was proud to consign signed sports memorabilia for the Gala's silent auction.  The facility was beautiful , the National players arrived for dinner to show support.  It was great seeing many of the ballplayers bid on items we brought.  Everything was first class - the Dream Foundation did an outstanding job with the event and made everyone feel comfortable and very special.

If you have an opportunity to support the Washington Nationals Dream Foundation (Washington DC) or the Josh Gibson Foundation (Pittsburgh) please do so.  Both organizations are extremely committed to youth and the underprivileged.  Visit joshgibson.org to check out Sean Gibson's commitment to the kids of Pittsburgh and his efforts to perpetuate the Negro League legacy and visit MLB.com - select the Washington Nationals team site where you will find info on the Dream Foundation.

Ray Schulte - May 6th

Darrell Green's Signed Commemorative Book on Sale Now!

Ironclad is the first to start selling the Press Box Legends commemorative signed book from the Washington Redskin's newest NFL Hall of Famer - Darrell Green!

This great book is a limited signed edition which will sell out very quickly!  Press Box has already issued great commemorative signed and un-signed books from Cal, Richard Petty, Tom Seaver and Don Mattingly!  Visit www.ironcladauthentics.com to get yours now!

Signature Showcase A Huge Success!!!!

Baltimore, Maryland -  Over forty (40) past and current baseball and football greats attended and signed for fans and collectors throughout the weekend (3/8-3/9) who came in from all around the country.  Sonny Jurgensen, Cal Ripken, Reggie Jackson, Don Shula, Dick Butkus, Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, Ernie Banks and Pete Rose, to name just a few, came in to sign and meet their fans.

Without question, Signature Showcase will be a Baltimore  annual event.  The Hilton BWI hotel was a great venue and their people treated everyone very special.  Ironclad launched our IroncladAuctions.com on-line website platform over the weekend and the response was great.  We look forward to receiving consignment items from the many people who stopped by our Ironclad booth.

Thanks to everyone who attended and we look forward to seeing you again next year.  We will be exhibiting at this year's MLB All-Star Game FanFest event in New York and at the Cooperstown this July to help celebrate Goose's and Dick Williams induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame!  Please stop by and say hello!

Ray Schulte

Once in a Lifetime Experience !!!!!!!

There aren't too many experiences you can really say that are once in a lifetime experiences!  I've been associated with sports (primarily baseball) for many, many years in the representation and now e-commerce business.  This past Wednesday I actually mixed business with pleasure.

You see, IroncladAuctions.com is getting ready to launch our on-line auction platform so I wanted to personally experience and understand the process from winning the on-line auction bid to flying home with hopefully, a satisfied feeling.

I'm an avid golfer, I had heard about Caddy For A Cure.  I think it was a PSA Jim Furyk participated in which got my attention.  I googled Caddy For A  Cure and found their website - www.caddyforacure.com .  They were conducting on-line auctions to win an opportunity to caddy for such PGA greats as Vijay Singh, Justin Rose, Ernie Els, Sergio Garcia, Tom Lehman, to name just a few.  I proceeded to the auction page and found that Fred Funk was offering his caddy slot during the Honda Classic Pro-Am.  I came in with the winning bid and the experience began.  I was excited to meet and caddy for Fred but I really wanted to experience how the organization dealt with the winner and pro player.

From the moment I was notified Russ and Colleen Holden made me feel like it definitely was going to be a once in a lifetime experience!  Russ is a veteran PGA Tour caddy who worked for Bernard Langer for many years.  Caddy For A Cure was his creation.  The non-profit organization raises money from on-line auctions which provides the winner an opportunity to meet and caddy for a PGA Tour professional during a practice round at one of the tour's sanctioned tournaments.  Russ and his wife couldn't have been more hospitable.  And Fred and his regular caddy Mark were fantastic. 

Besides getting to work inside the ropes, the experience was made even more special because as a tour caddy Russ offered me a tremendous amount of insight and perspective to the behind the scenes activity at a PGA Tour event.  That meant a great deal to me and I know everyone who wins gets the same great attention!  It was definitely an experience I will treasure and never forget. 

Knowing the money I spent on winning the on-line auction goes 100% to Caddy for A Cure and their four (4) designated charities is a great feeling.  The charities designated by Caddy For A Cure for funds are the Fanconi Anemia Research Fund, the PGA Tour Caddy's Benevolent Fund, the charity of choice by the PGA Tour player who is participating and the designated charity of the PGA Tour event where the auction winner carries the bag!

I was very fortunate to mix business with pleasure this past week and now I can say that I have personally experienced that once in a lifetime experience thanks to Russ, Colleen, Fred, Mark and the PGA pros I met on the practice range, including Ernie Els!

Ray Schulte - with Fred Funk at the Honda Classic !

March 8th&9th / Signature Showcase Promises Big Names!!!!

We are just a few weeks away from Ironclad's second annual signature and memorabilia show.  Last year we celebrated the 83 World Series team and had 19 Baseball Hall of Famer's signing for us. Of course we also celebrated Cal and Tony Gwynn's 2007 induction into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.

This year we have the 2008 baseball inductees, Rich "Goose" Gossage and Dick Williams.  We also are very excited to bring in 17 of the 1970 World Series team members, along with 8 of the starters from the Big Red Machine era.  Can't stop there - coming in will be Reggie Jackson, Duke Snider, Sonny Jergensen, Bill Kilmer, Ernie Banks, Don Shula, Harmon Killebrew and 5 members from the 1958 Baltimore Colts.  In addition, we will have the 6 Baltimore Oriole greats who are members of Baseball's Hall of Fame ! - Cal Ripken Jr., Eddie Murray, Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, Jim Palmer and Earl Weaver.

We are very excited!  The show will include memorabilia dealers from around the country.  Just sold out exhibitor space last week!  Check out our events website - www.ironcladevents.com for more details.  The event will be held March 8th and 9th at the Baltimore BWI Hilton. 

Ironclad will be set up to display and sell great product, much not seen yet by the retail market.  Please come join us and stop by the booth to say hello!

Yogi Berra Public Signing

Ironclad is very proud to announce that we have arranged for New York Yankee great, Yogi Berra to sign autographs for the public at Sports Legends Museum located adjacent to Camden Yards Ballpark in downtown Baltimore.

On Saturday, February 2, 2008 Yogi will appear at Sports Legends Museum to sign autographs for fans and collectors alike.  There will be a fee for his autograph ticket with proceeds  benefiting the Cal Ripken Sr. Foundation.

This is a great opportunity for fans in the Mid Atlantic region to meet and purchase a signature from one of the true New York Yankee legends!  I've had the opportunity to witness Yogi signing, in his home state of New Jersey, at public settings and he is a fantastic signer.  He is extremly pleasant and loves to smile.  If you want to attend please visit www.ironcladevents.com and/or call Kate Manchester (410)823-8465 about securing autograph tickets for this event.  It is sure to sell out so act now !

Looking Ahead to 2008!

The weekend is finally winding down and I'm thinking where has the 2007 year gone?  It feels like a couple of weeks ago we were planning for Cal's National Baseball Hall of Fame induction year!

                                                                    Looking back it was very exciting and enjoyable thanks in large part to you.  We couldn't have scripted a better induction combination with Cal and Tony Gwynn.

However, 2008 is looking to be very exciting as well.  We just announced our second annual memorabilia show - "Signature Showcase" which we are co-promoting with the MAB Celebrity group.  Please visit our site and find out more information concerning the March 8th and 9th show which will take place at the Hilton BWI, Baltimore, Maryland.

Last  year we brought in over 60 baseball superstars comprised of 20 baseball Hall of Famers, 27 Orioles 1983 World Champions not to mention other notable greats such as Don Mattingly and Tom Seaver.  This year Cal is back with Reggie Jackson, Dick Butkis, Pete Rose, Johnny Bench and many more players signing for the weekend.  Keep checking out our site for player up-dates!

In the meantime, everyone at Ironclad wishes you and your family a very joyous holiday and prosperous New Year!  Your patronage and support throughout the year will always be appreciated by our entire staff!!!!

Ray Lewis Public Signing / Ironclad to Authenticate!

If you want to give a loved one or friend a great holiday gift I recommend purchasing a Ray Lewis autograph ticket and personally visit Anne Arundel Mall, Tuesday, December 18, 2007  between 7pm - 9pm to meet and have Ray sign your favorite memorabilia product!

Ironclad will be on-site to conduct Ray's signing and authenticate every item Ray signs during his appearance at EZ Art located within the Mall.

Ray is a great competitor, nobody will forget the Ravens 2000 Super Bowl Championship year capped off with Ray winning the Super Bowl MVP honors.

We are looking foward to meeting Ray and assisting Alumni Management Group with this signing.  Ironclad will be conducting a private signing with Ray as well.  We are excited to have Ray join our ever growing signature list of super star athletes on www.ironcladauthentics.com.

If you have any questions concerning this signing don't hesitate to give our Kate Manchester a call for more information - (410) 823-8465.  Tickets can be purchased on-line by visiting www.alumnimanagementgroup.com. 

Ray Schulte

IronClad Auctions Launches.....................

We are very excited about this year's holiday season because it seems many fans and collectors have Cal Ripken Jr. HOF signed products on their gift list.  Next week Cal is signing for our mail order customers. You can still get your item in-just call (800) 820-7923 and ask for Kate.  Have Cal write "Merry Christmas or Happy Hanukkah" to family or friends!

In the meantime, Ironclad will be re-launching our new and improved website next week.  We listened to our customers and hope the new website will make it even that much easier to shop for your favorite players product.  In addition to our regular platform, Ironclad will be launching www.ironcladauthentics.com .  This will be a great opportunity for fans and collectors to sell and buy signed, unsigned memorabilia, sports experiences, vintage collectibles, etc.  And if your charity or non-profit organization would like to secure a auction home page (free) to generate revenue please contact Ryan Foley at our 800 # above.  He will be glad to explain the program.  Whether it is The Ironclad Exchange (public consignment platform) or a charitable platform, Ironclad Auctions will be the place you want to check out to bid on some great sports memorabilia!

Ray Schulte - Happy Holidays!

IRONCLAD Supports Ravens Football !!!!!!!!

Baseball season is winding down and so is the NFL pre-season.  IRONCLAD is excited to announce that 2007-8 Baltimore Ravens fans will see the above signage at M&T Stadium this year.  We are gearing up for entering the football collectible and memorabilia business and couldn't think of a better team to start advertising with.

We are also in the process of planning for next years's Ironclad / MAB collectibles show.  Looking forward to announcing those plans soon! 

On the way up to Secaucus tomorrow for a public signing with Cal and multiple other former greats this weekend! 

IRONCLAD Football.  Sounds great!

Ray Schulte