top of page
Search
gallery at 759

Roy’s Search for the Uncommon: Stories Behind the Hunt for Memorabilia

There’s something about Roy Crawford that makes you forget you’re talking to one of the most seasoned collectors of sports, music, and pop-art memorabilia around. It’s not the brash confidence you’d expect from someone with his experience—it’s the quiet, deliberate way he speaks about each piece, as if each item tells a story he’s been lucky enough to carry home.



“I don’t just buy memorabilia,” Roy once said. “I meet these pieces. They’re not just things—there’s a moment when you know this one’s right.” That philosophy isn’t a tagline—it’s the backbone of Gallery at 759 Main’s collection, the soul that Roy pours into every framed jersey, signed album, and pop-art portrait on the walls. Whether it’s a Patrick Mahomes-signed jersey ready to light up someone’s man cave or an autographed Jalen Hurts, every piece carries not just value but an emotion Roy is careful not to disturb in transit.

The Art of the Search

For Roy, the search is almost sacred. He doesn’t just browse online listings or wait for items to come to him. Instead, he works closely with his network which spans across North America and overseas, or auctions in Los Angeles, and private collections tucked away in New York brownstones. He’s gone across the world—not with fanfare, but with a quiet persistence that makes him something of a curator with a compass.

“I like to think these pieces find me as much as I find them,” he admits. That openness to discovery has led him to some extraordinary finds. For instance, back in the 90s, Roy met and sat with Lawrence “LT” Taylor of the NY Giants. That helped him when organizing an authenticated signature for a piece currently on display in the gallery. It’s a work of art in itself, and it speaks to the kind of meticulous detail Roy insists on—something meant to stand out not just for a season, but for a lifetime.


Beyond the Marketplace

The work isn’t just about what’s trending or who’s the MVP. “It’s not about getting the most expensive thing on the market,” Roy says, his eyes scanning a framed collection of Muhammad Ali, Michael Jordan, and Babe Ruth on the Gallery walls . “It’s about finding pieces that tell a story.”


It’s that personal touch that brings a heartbeat to every piece Roy selects. A signed jersey isn’t just memorabilia—it’s a link to a moment in time, to an athlete’s legacy or a band’s rise to stardom. A lot of items at Gallery at 759 Main—like a 46 x 36 beautifully framed canvas picture featuring the Greatest Of All Time (GOAT), New England Patriots Quarterback, Tom Brady. “It’s about more than making a sale,” Roy explains. “You want the person who takes this piece home to feel that connection. When someone looks at it, they should feel the reason they loved the game, the concert, or the moment in the first place.”


The Human Side of Collecting

Roy’s approachable demeanor is a rarity in a field that often prioritizes auctions and transactions over human connection. His mission is simple: Give people something real, something worth having. “I never wanted to just sell things,” he says with a laugh. “I want someone to walk away feeling they found something that belongs to them.”




9 views0 comments

Comments


bottom of page