The Baltimore memorabilia collector who bid more than $35,000 for a lineup card used in Cal Ripken's record-breaking game withdrew his offer yesterday, saying he was disappointed to learn the item was a carbon copy rather than the original.

James W. Ancel, a Baltimore contractor and sports fan, bid $35,650 for the card, filled out and kept by then-Orioles manager Phil Regan on Sept. 6, 1995. That is the game in which Ripken surpassed Lou Gehrig's record for consecutive games played.

"I withdrew my bid because it was not the original I had been led to believe," Ancel said.

He notified the auction house, North Shore Sports of Chicago, that he does not intend to take possession of the card when the auction is completed. The sale is being held up by a court order obtained by the Orioles, who claim the card is team property.

Ancel said the auctioneer indicated that he had received interest from other collectors wanting to buy the card, which comes with the pen that Regan used, Regan's copy of the card he filled out for the previous game when Ripken tied Gehrig's record and the opposing team's cards from both games.

Managers always make carbon copies of their lineup cards for the plate umpire and visiting team's manager. Because of the historic nature of the game, Regan added three more carbons.

Regan arranged for the sale of his items in a telephone auction earlier this month. A New York collector, Mark Lewis, bought the card for $15,000 but left the memorabilia in the auction. Ancel's bid was the highest.

A hearing is scheduled for Monday in Chicago. H. Russell Smouse, general legal counsel of the Orioles, said the case will go forward despite Ancel's decision.

"We're going ahead with the case. We feel whether it is the original or duplicate original, the items are the property of the Orioles," Smouse said.

Meanwhile, Lewis, the New York memorabilia collector, said he intends to pursue his right to sell the card.

The original card is in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, N.Y.

Pub Date: 12/17/98