Can you identify these 1870s Boston medals on Harry Wright?

orator1 · #1 05-18-2009, 01:40 PM

This Harry Wright image is from the 1879 Boston team composite.
I'm interested in the medals that are pinned to his jacket.
Boston won the championship in 1872, 1873, 1874, 1875, 1877, and 1878.
Just wondering if anyone recognizes his medals from their shape and can tell which is from which year.
I'd also like to see a close-up of any of these Boston medals, either from Wright or from any other Boston player.
Thanks for your help.

Paul C.
Pr0726@aol.com

rhettyeakley · #2 05-18-2009, 01:56 PM

I believe the one with the crossed bats and the little dangling "stocking" on the right is the one pictured on the breast of the players on the Warren CDV's. I believe (and may be wrong) that one was for the the 1872 NA Championship.
-Rhett

barrysloate · #3 05-18-2009, 02:51 PM

The one Rhett cited I believe was auctioned off several years ago, but probably wasn't Harry's and instead a teammate's. There isn't enough detail to identify the others.

19cbb · #4 05-18-2009, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rhettyeakley

I believe the one with the crossed bats and the little dangling "stocking" on the right is the one pictured on the breast of the players on the Warren CDV's. I believe (and may be wrong) that one was for the the 1872 NA Championship.
-Rhett

That's correct.
Lelands auctioned one a few years ago.

orator1 · #5 05-18-2009, 05:29 PM

I searched Lelands but could not locate a championship pin.
Might it have been a different auction house?
Thanks.

19cbb · #6 05-18-2009, 09:29 PM

I'm pretty sure it was Lelands.
I see their archive starts in 2000, so maybe it was before that year.

I'll try to check my pre-2000 catalogs and see if I can find it.

Btw, the pin is also pictured in the SABR 19th century pictorial issue.

19cbb · #7 05-18-2009, 09:51 PM

Got it.

Lelands
June 14-15, 1997
Lot #642

The pin had "71" in the center and description said it was a season pass presented to one of the team owners.

Beautiful item...

According to the SABR pictorial, it was a Boston "Rooters" pin.

Maybe the design of the pin was used for different years/occasions.

Hope this helps.

orator1 · #8 05-18-2009, 10:47 PM

Thanks for finding that information.
I'll have to get a copy of the SABR pictorial or that auction catalog and view it. I assume the "71" is for 1871.

I agree that the sock-shaped pin Wright is wearing appears to be the one in the 1872 Warren cdv.

It would still be neat to see the other 5 Boston championship pins from the 1870s. If anyone has seen them pictured anywhere please let me know.

Thanks.

Paul C.
Pr0726@aol.com

bmarlowe1 · #9 05-19-2009, 08:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 19cbb

I'm pretty sure it was Lelands.
I see their archive starts in 2000, so maybe it was before that year.

I'll try to check my pre-2000 catalogs and see if I can find it.

Btw, the pin is also pictured in the SABR 19th century pictorial issue.

----

What page? I believe you are referring to the spring 1984 SABR's The National Pastime - Special Pictorial Issue - The Ninteenth Century. I can't find the pin.

orator1 · #10 05-19-2009, 10:22 PM

This picture shows Harry Schafer wearing that same "stocking" pin that Harry Wright is wearing in 1879. The date below the photo appears to be November 13th, 1871. I thought 1872 was the first year Boston won the NA championship, so now I'm confused.

Would someone mind posting the 1871 Boston pin from the Lelands June 14-15, 1997 auction, Lot #642?

barrysloate · #11 05-20-2009, 05:06 AM

Mark- the pin is pictured on the inside front cover of the 1984 SABR pictorial issue (my copy is so tattered not a single page is attached to the binding. It's more like a folder now).

19cbb · #12 05-20-2009, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orator1

Would someone mind posting the 1871 Boston pin from the Lelands June 14-15, 1997 auction, Lot #642?

Sorry, no scanner at hand, but here's the best I could do with my cell phone.

orator1 · #13 05-20-2009, 09:51 AM

That's a great looking pin! Nice touch of red in the stocking too.

"The pin had "71" in the center and description said it was a season pass presented to one of the team owners."

So according to the auction description this is not a championship pin but a season pass. I guess that would explain why there is a "71" on it but Boston didn't win the NA championship until 1872. That would also explain the November 13th, 1871 date on the Harry Schafer CDV.

The fact that a few Boston players are seen wearing it in the 1872 Warren CDVs led me to believe it was their 1872 championship pin.

Maybe the Boston players received a different pin or some other award for winning the 1872 championship?

I guess it can't be assumed that the 3 remaining pins worn by Harry Wright in 1879 are championship pins, even though Boston won 6 times during the
1870s.

Paul C.

bmarlowe1 · #14 05-20-2009, 11:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Mark- the pin is pictured on the inside front cover of the 1984 SABR pictorial issue (my copy is so tattered not a single page is attached to the binding. It's more like a folder now).

---

I guess I looked at every page except for the inside front cover. The condition of my issue is exactly the same as Barry's - perfect for scanning!

sporteq · #15 05-26-2009, 02:21 PM

Not sure if this is from Lelands auction ... i found the image in my pin archives on my pc. 1871 season pass figural pin.

aL

19cbb · #16 05-26-2009, 03:41 PM

Yup, that's the one.
Much better pic than the one used by Lelands.
Thanks for posting.