The lone surviving championship trophy from the 1912 World Series championship won by the Boston Red Sox is finally on the auction block.
Originally slated to be sold at a special Fenway Park event in 2008, the trophy had been tied up in a court battle. Now, it’s in Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night event with a high bid of more than $143,000 including the buyer’s premium. The trophy carries a pre-sale estimate of more than $300,000.
Presented to manager Jake Stahl, it carries the engraved names of the team members who beat the New York Giants in an epic series during Fenway’s inaugural season. A Carl Horner photograph of team members posing with the two examples originally created, accompanies the lot. A second trophy given to owner James McAleer has never been found, possibly melted down during the Great Depression according to some theories.
It is one of the few privately held Major League Baseball World Championship trophies in existence.
Engraved on the face of the cup are the words, “Presented to J. Garland Stahl by Members of Boston American Baseball Club 1912.” Created by Frank W. Smith Silversmiths of Gardner, Massachusetts, just months after the sinking of the Titanic and the iconic ballpark’s christening, the trophy has been remarkably well preserved over the last century. A modern replica is on display inside the ballpark, at the site of the original Red Sox clubhouse.
The trophy is owned by Robert Fraser and his wife Lisa, a New Jersey couple who had planned to sell it at a Guernsey’s auction in 2008. However, after it went on display at the ballpark, collector and former friend Peter Nash claimed ownership.
The auction was canceled and in late 2010, the Frasers sued Nash. In January of this year, a judge ruled Nash had no claim to the trophy.
Absentee bidding continues through Wednesday night with the live portion of the auction taking place at Camden Yards Thursday night.
Related Stories:
