Lot 4. Babe Ruth Fabulous “Called Shot” Bronze Statue. With this statue, return to that thrilling day of yesteryear, Oct. 1, 1932 to be exact, when Ruth pointed toward the center field bleachers at Wrigley Field and then promptly blasted a 440-foot home run in the same direction. The event occurred in the fifth inning of World Series Game 3. Actually, whether Ruth pointed toward center, Cubs pitcher Charlie Root or the Cubs’ dugout remains a matter for debate. This 8” statue of Ruth, which stands on an attractive 4” x 4” x 1 ½” tall green-marble base, appears to be pointing toward center field. Or maybe the pitcher. Or the dugout. The image is impressive. A brass plate on the base attributes the work to an artist named “Dawn.” The statue and base weigh eight pounds. Like the legend of the called shot, the artist is surrounded by some uncertainty. Her last name in unknown. Apparently based in New York, she reportedly was commissioned to produce statues of Ruth and two other sports figures, Lou Gehrig and Muhammad Ali. The sponsor reneged, and the other statues were never produced. Our consignor obtained this work of art in 1996. Unsigned, the statue may be an artist’s proof. Whatever the details, this statue truly is unique – a fantastic one-of-a-kind tribute to baseball’s greatest player!
Winning Bid $500.
Lot 27. HoFer John Ward in an Impressive, Historically Significant 1888 Newspaper Print. On the front page of the Nov. 27, 1888 Daily Graphic published in New York, artwork by C. Rigby portrays the New York Giants’ star shortstop on the auction block with the caption “Slavery Days Again.” The artwork and caption refer to the predicament of major league players resulting from the actions by the baseball owners in 1887 and 1888. In 1887, the owners made the (in)famous “reserve clause” a standard part of players’ contracts. That year, Ward published an article in Lippincott’s Magazine criticizing the clause and other owner practices. He was in a position to do so because in 1885, the players had formed the Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players and elected him president. In the article, Ward asked, “Is the Base Ball Player a Chattel?” He specifically mentioned Chicago’s sale of King Kelly to Boston for $10,000. Kelly had no say in his sale. Matters became worse for the players in 1888. At the end of the season, Al Spalding took a group of players, including Ward, on a world tour. While Ward and they were out of the country, the owners instituted a salary classification that limited salaries to $1,500 to $2,500. The new scheme effectively lowered players’ salaries. While on the tour and as the owners’ shenanigans progressed, Ward and other players came up with the idea for a “Players League.” He and others launched the short-lived new league in 1890 after the owners declined to recognize the Brotherhood. After baseball, Ward became a successful lawyer. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1964. The Daily Graphic artwork depicting Ward and presaging the Players League is large, about 14” x 20 ½” and framed. It is incredibly clean and bright with a horizontal crease at the center where the paper was folded, and there may be a ½” border tear along the fold. Great display, and an outstanding piece of baseball history.
Winning Bid $222.
Lot 29. Nov. 9, 1889 Harper’s Weekly Front Page with HoF New York Catcher Buck Ewing. Batting .327 and providing leadership as the team captain, Ewing helped the Giants to win a second consecutive National League championship in 1889. Fifty years later, he was the first catcher inducted into the Hall of Fame. Many experts consider him the best all-round player of the 19th century. The 11” x 16” page containing the woodcut print of Ewing displays as vg-ex with a horizontal fold. Close-up, four edge tears are evident; all have been neatly reinforced with tape on the back. There is a very tiny chip in the upper left corner. The page is exceptionally clean and bright and will make an excellent addition to a Harper’s collection.
Winning Bid $113.
Lot 45. 1911 Max Rigot Jumbo Three-Panel Panoramic Postcard of Comiskey Park. Measuring 5” x 24”, this triptych black & white postcard says “American League ‘White Sox’ New Ball Park” in the center at the top. It provides a panoramic view of the grandstands from the third base side, the field with a game in progress and the Chicago skyline. The ballpark opened on July 1, 1910. The postcard has been professionally reinforced at the two folds; these repairs are noticeable only on the back. Otherwise, various light creases make the card technically grade g-vg. Its appearance and eye appeal are much, much better, and unlike many cards from this series by Rigot, it is free of heavy creases or pin holes.
Winning Bid $321.
Lot 51. 1926 “Boston Braves in the 1880’s” Featuring Goodwin & Co. Old Judge Images. In 1926, a series of sepia composites using Old Judge images was produced to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the National League. The Boston Braves display includes 4 3/8” x 6 1/8” sepia images of eight Boston players – and Abner Dalrymple, who never played for Boston! In the 1880s, Dalrymple was an outfielder for Chicago and Pittsburgh. Among the Boston players are Hall of Famer Jim O’Rourke, Sam Wise, Joe Hornung, Ezra Sutton, Dick Johnston, John Morrill, Kid Madden and Bobby Wheelock. The images are printed on photo paper about 18 ½” x 27 ½” and adhered to artboard. There are tack holes in the corners, corner creases and some light stains in the borders, which could easily be matted out. The image area is clean with strong photos. These 1926 commemoratives are scarce. Original cabinet cards of these players could easily cost $5,000-$10,000. This attractive display could be yours for as little as our
Winning Bid $267.
Lot 153. Lyman Bostock Sr., Homemade Baseball Bat Signed by 27 Negro League Players. Wonderful 30” bat inscribed “Made by Lyman Bostock Sr., Negro League Legend.” Bostock signed the bat, along with Armando Vazquez, Red Moore, Wilmer Fields, Wm Bobby Robinson, Pee Wee Jenkins, Cecil Kaiser, Art “Superman” Pennington, Gene Benson, Mahlon Duckett, Larry Doby, Jim Wilkes, Joe B. Scott, Felix Delgado, Willie Pope, Warren Peace, Jim Fireball Cohen, Jose G. Santiago, Josh Gibson Jr., Wilmer Harris, Stanley Glenn, Ernest Burke, Andy Porter, Jim Zapp, Bill (Ready) Cash, Max Manning and Leroy Toots Ferrell. This is the first item we have had signed by Pope, who helped the Homestead Grays to win the 1948 Negro World Series. The bat is somewhat irregular and has been shellacked. The signatures are bold, mint 9s and gem mint 10s. Bostock became an artist after his retirement, and this bat qualifies as a one-of-a-kind piece of folk art! Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $354.
Lot 154. 31 Negro Leagues Signatures on a Bat – Leonard, O’Neil, Radcliffe, Etc. Nm-m 33” Rawlings Adirondack Big Stick signed by Art “Superman” Pennington, Leroy Toots Ferrell, Wilmer Fields, Monte Irvin, Armando Vazquez, Red Moore, Lyman Bostock Sr., Wm Bobby Robinson, Jim Zapp, Ernest Burke, Warren Peace, Russell Awkard, Joe B. Scott, Buck Leonard, Jim Cohen, Felix Delgado (signed twice, counted once), Sherwood Brewer, Merle M. Porter, Cecil Kaiser, Double Duty Radcliffe, Frazier Robinson, Jose G. Santiago, Buck O’Neil, Andy Porter, Lester Lockett, Mel Duncan, Bill (Ready) Cash and Stanley Glenn. The signatures are bold, mint 9s and gem mint 10s. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $121.
Lot 155. Uncut Sheet Set of 30 1991 Ron Lewis Negro Leagues Postcards Signed by 15. The limited edition sheet, #148 of 200 artist’s proofs, is signed by Gene Benson, Lymon Bostock Sr., Bill (Ready) Cash, Mahlon Duckett, Wilmer Fields, Jehosie Heard, Cowan “Bubba” Hyde, Monte Irvin, Buck Leonard, Lester Lockett, Max Manning, Verdell Lefty Mathis, Ted Double Duty Radcliffe, William Bobby Robinson and Armando Vazquez, The signatures are mint 9s and gem mint 10s. Ron Lewis also signed. The 17 ½” x 32” sheet is ex with very minor corner creases. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $204.
Lot 164. David Wells Autographed Baseball, Perfect Game Ticket Stub and Display. Wells’ signature is a mint 9 on the sweet spot of an OAL Budig baseball. The ticket stub, which is ex, is framed to about 15” x 21” with a May 18, 1998 Newsday color page that celebrates Wells’ perfect game. Facing the Minnesota Twins the day before, Wells had pitched the 13th perfect game in baseball history. He was already 34-years old before he found success with the New York Yankees in 1997. From then through 2005, he won 137 games while losing only 67. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Minimum Bid $50.
Lot 175. Joe DiMaggio Signed 8” x 10” B&W Photo. Gem mint 10 signature on a photo that shows DiMaggio sliding into third base. The photo, which seems to have a light “wave” in it, is matted and framed to 9” x 12”. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $121.
Lot 176. Carlton Fisk Dramatic Multi-Image 1975 Walk-Off Home Run Signed Photo. Black & white 16”x20” photo shows time-lapsed images of the pitch, the swing, the arm-swings willing the ball’s direction, and the jump for joy of his famed Game Six home run in the 1975 World Series. The ball caught the foul pole at Fenway Park and sent the series to Game 7. Absolutely fabulous image captures all aspects of one of baseball’s most incredible and memorable moments. Boldly signed by Fisk and beautifully matted and framed with an engraved plaque to an overall size of 24”x28”. Letter of Authenticity from Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $121.
Lot 178. “Goose” Goslin Fountain Pen Autograph. The signature of the Hall of Fame left fielder is a gem mint 10 on a 1 ½” x 4” cut matted and framed with an outstanding photo to 13 ¼” x 17 ¼”. In the photo, Goslin holds his famous, or infamous, zebra-striped bat, which he used beginning in 1932 to confuse opposing players. Eventually, A.L. president Will Harridge declared the bat illegal. Goslin helped the Washington Senators to win three pennants and a World Series. A .316 lifetime hitter who collected 2,735 hits and drove in 1,609 runs, he was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1968, three years before his death in 1971. Goslin loved playing baseball. He told writer Lawrence Ritter that he would paid to play the game. “Listen,” he said, “the truth is it was more than fun. It was heaven.” Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $83.
Lot 180. Autograph of Chuck Klein, Hall of Fame Right Fielder. A star for the Phillies, Klein signed “C. Klein” on a ¾” x 2 ¼” section of paper. The fountain pen signature is mint 9 and is matted and framed to 11 ½” x 15” with a 7” x 9” photo of Klein. From 1929-33, Klein was the best hitter in the National League. In 1936, he became the first modern N.L. player to hit four home runs in a game, and he did it at Forbes Field. Klein batted .320 in his career, with 2,076 hits and 1,201 RBI. He passed away in 1958. Twenty-two years later, the Veterans Committee voted him into the Hall of Fame. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $163.
Lot 184. Billy Martin Signed Photo Framed with “Billy Bopped in Topless Bar.” The autograph on the 8” x 9” color photo is gem mint 10. The photo is framed to 15” x 22 ½” with a portion of an entertaining page from the May 8, 1988 New York Daily News. The page contains a Bill Gallo cartoon with an image of a battered Martin, and it carries the sub-headline “Forty stitches to repair ear of the Yank skipper in ‘unprovoked’ rest room attack.” The frame has numerous scuffs. Cleveland general manager Frank Lane said of Martin, “He’s the kind of guy you’d like to kill if he’s playing for the other team, but you’d like 10 of him on your side.” Martin was in his fifth turn at managing the Yankees when the fight occurred. In a 1987 poll of 600 former major league players, Martin came out as the eighth best manager of all time, ahead of Sparky Anderson, Whitey Herzog and Tommy Lasorda. He was killed in a car accident in 1989 at the age of 61. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $102.
Lot 185. Eddie Mathews Autograph on Sports Illustrated’s 40th Anniversary Cover. Mathews graced SI’s first cover in 1954, and the color photographic image is reproduced close-up on the cover of the Aug. 16, 1994 anniversary issue. His autograph is gem mint 10 on the cover of an nm-m issue. A member of the 500 Home Run Club, Mathews is an underappreciated member of the Hall of Fame. From 1952-59, he hit 299 home runs, more than anyone else in the majors. He twice led the N.L. in home runs, hit 512 homers lifetime and knocked in 1,453 runs. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1978. He passed away in 2001. Authenticatd by Kevin Keating. UPDATE: This lot is not framed.
Winning Bid $61.
