I've written it many times before, Robert Edwards Auctions consistently has some of the best Baseball memorabilia available. They are the preeminent sports auction house in the country, and their catalogs are filled with so much history they are often kept by collectors as a hobby book.
Right now, REA is running their Spring Baseball auction and it is filled with so much Dodger memorabilia I just couldn't write one post. In fact, I couldn't just write two. Instead, I'll have as many as six different posts featuring the Dodgers, and I may throw in a general Baseball historical artifacts post just for the heck of it.
To start with, I'll share some historically significant Dodger memorabilia for you to look at.
This first item is something that should be in a museum, and if the Dodgers are serious about building one then this item should be there. Below is a letter written by the original Dodger owner, Charlie Byrne, to the National League seeking admission, and it has been signed and approved by the leagues governing board.
It states:
To the
Secretary of - The National League of Professional B. B. Clubs. Dear
Sir: The Brooklyn Base Ball Club and organization incorporated under the
laws of the State of New York, respectfully asks for membership in your
league. Said Club is duly organized and officered with grounds
thoroughly prepared and equipped.
Very Truly Yours - Chas. H. Byrne -
Pres. and Secretary.
Per the auction description:
Brooklyn's application was formally accepted
by the National League, as noted by the pencil signatures of the members
of the League's governing board directly below, which are preceded by
the word, "Approved." The five League officials approving the
application are "NE Young - Chairman," "John B. Day," W. A. Nimick," W.
F. Hewitt," and "J. T. Brush." All of the signatures are boldly
scripted and grade "9" or "10." The reverse of the document also bears
the docket "Brooklyn/Nov. 14. 1889," scripted in black ink.
Nicholas
Young was president of the National League at the time, while John B.
Day owned the New York Giants, William A. Nimick owned Pittsburgh, W.
F. Hewitt owned Washington, and J. T. Brush had owned the League's
Indianapolis franchise up until that year. Charles Byrne owned Brooklyn
from 1884 to 1897. Of the six men who have signed this document, Brush
is the most important today. As owner of Indianapolis, he was
responsible for creating the salary limitations for player contracts
that was the main impetus for the formation of the Players' League in
1890. Brush later owned Cincinnati, where he rose to become one of the
most powerful figures in baseball. In 1903 he purchased the New York
Giants. One year later he unilaterally canceled the World Series by
refusing to let his Giants meet the Red Sox in the fall classic, mainly
because of a long-standing feud he had with American League president
Ban Johnson. His ownership of the Giants continued until his death in
1912.
This document notes the birth of the Dodgers in the National League.
It has an opening bid
$30,000.00.
The below trophy cup was presented to future Hall of Famer Honus Wagner by the Brooklyn Dodger franchise in 1917. Per the
auction description:
In (his) final season, many of the National
League clubs honored him with special farewell ceremonies at their
respective ballparks. The Brooklyn Dodgers were no exception, and on
July 12th at Ebbets Field they honored Wagner by presenting him with
this magnificent sterling-silver trophy cup. The engraving on the cup
reads: "Presented to/John H. Wagner/by the/Brooklyn National
League/Baseball Club/In commemoration of his long, faithful/and
conscientious service/in the National League,/a gentleman on and off the
field/and one who has earned/in his chosen profession/the highest
esteem/of all interested/in the National Game./Brooklyn N. Y./July
11th/1917."
Below are
two telegrams sent from 1947 sent by and to Branch Rickey in regards to the promotion of Jackie Robinson to the Majors. The first telegram is to
Arthur Mann, an assistant of Rickey's, by Branch, writing:
"Absolutely nothing either encouraging or
discouraging or otherwise relative Robinson. Most important thing right
now is avoid any and all publicity on whole subject particularly as to
purpose of committee or even its existence. However very sensible for
everyone to plan on assumption that something is liable to happen. This
sounds like double talk at its best. Thats how I feel this morning."
Per the
auction description:
At the time this telegram was sent, Jackie
Robinson and the Montreal Royals were in New York playing a series of
exhibition games against the Brooklyn Dodgers. Rickey scheduled the
games in the hopes that the Dodgers players, seeing how good Robinson
was, would soften their opposition to his joining the club. The
"committee" mentioned in the telegram was a thirty-two member panel,
formed by Rickey, that was composed of black clergy and other civic
leaders from each of the eight National League cities. The committee
members were chosen to work with each respective city's local black
communities to educate them regarding Robinson's impending debut and to
make sure that Robinson received their full support when he came to
town. As one can see here in this telegram, Rickey is making sure that
the committee's activities remain clandestine prior to Robinson's debut.
Mann was most likely able to read between the lines of this "coded"
telegram, which told of Rickey's intention to promote Robinson very
shortly. That promotion came exactly three days later, on April 10th.
The second telegram is from
American theatrical producer Kermit Bloomgarden, and is dated April 10, 1947. It states:
"Congratulations on your decision to bring
Robinson to Brooklyn based on his record he deserves this opportunity
and you deserve best=wishes from all of us who believe in fair play in
sports and more important fair play in living."
