East Granby resident Brett Lowman began collecting like most young men by buying and trading baseball cards.  When his father, Fred Lowman, began collecting baseball gloves, there was no turning back for Brett.

"My dad started collecting gloves when I was 12 in 1990," Lowman said.

Lowman's collection has been growing ever since.  He now has over 300 baseball gloves occupying a good portion of his neatly-arranged basement.  Some hang on the wall, some are in a glass case, and others line shelves around the room.

"That was an important thing when we were looking at homes," Lowman said, "I need a place to keep all my gloves."

Lowman, a stay-at-home dad, continues to build his collection while operating his web-based business Play OK Antiques.  PlayokAntiques.com helps collectors buy and trade vintage sporting equipment and memorabilia.  

Lowman's attraction to baseball gloves goes back to childhood.  "It was the only thing standing between you and embarrassment on the field," he said.

The bulk of Lowman's collection include gloves manufactured by two companies, OK Mfg. Co. and Sonnett from Ada, Ohio.  However, as a New Englander Lowman has an affinity for gloves that are pre-1930 and have labels from CT, MA, RI, VT, NH, and ME.  

Many collectors who specialize in baseball gloves choose to collect only endorsed gloves because of their uniqueness and value.  Lowman doesn't focus on that type of collection.  His interests are in the manufacturing, design, and history of these gloves.

A portion of Lowman's collection is currently on display at the East Granby Public Library for public viewing.  Visit the East Granby Public Library website for more information on featured local artists and collectors.