Holy Grail of 19th Century Baseball Memorabilia

[barrysloate]

Originally Posted by drcy

James Creighton game used uniform and bat.

I live around the corner from Jim Creighton's lifetime home (307 Henry Street) and down the street from the Brooklyn Excelsior clubhouse (133 Clinton Street) where he spent much of his leisure time. Always wondered if any memorabilia is hidden in the walls. Probably not, because both buildings have likely been renovated more than once since the 1860's.

[Scott Garner]

For me, definitely a ticket stub to George W. Bradley's no-hitter.
This was the first no-hitter pitched in the National League.

[SAllen2556]

Here's one just for fun and intrigue!

Back in 1887, the Detroits won the championship. This medal was given to each player and I think only about 4 survive.

Lady_Baldwin_Medal_medium.jpg

But the real holy grail is the Dauvray Cup.

(Copied and pasted from Fox Sports)
Back in the 1880s, a highly regarded actress named Helen Dauvray (born Ida Louis Gibson some time around 1860, give or take) commissioned an ornate winner’s trophy to be presented to the winner of an exhibition between the winners of the National League and the American Association, sort of a proto-World Series, 16 years before the real thing.

While in England she was an enthusiast over cricket, but she thinks base ball an infinitely superior game, and has been surprised to find that there has never been a suitable prize offered to the champion club of the country. The winner of the club will hold it only till captured by another, until one club has held it three times, when it becomes the exclusive property of that club.

The cup will have the form of a true lovers’ cup, and will be about twelve inches high. One face will have etched upon it a picture of a ball game in progress, the figures being in slight relief. Another face will contain a fine figure of a player in position to bat. The third face will be reserved for the inscriptions. Mrs. Dauvray will not present the token in person, and she leaves the arrangement and conditions of the contest entirely to the base ball men.

Alas, the Dauvray Cup was not long for baseball, thanks to that pesky three-wins-and-it’s-yours clause. The Boston Beaneaters, with their third straight “World Championship” win, in 1893, took the Dauvray Cup all for themselves. Thanks to the best efforts of official MLB historian John Thorn, we believe the Dauvray Cup was likely lost for good en route from Newport, Kentucky — where one of the players lived — back to the club’s offices in Boston.

Lost for good? Or not!

From the Detroit Free Press October 1, 1887:

Detroit_Free_Press_Sat__Oct_1__1887_.jpg

[bgar3]

That article reminded me of the Ott and Brewer vase, in a museum but there could be another. I think there was an example of one of the players or a study for the vase. However, as great as all these are, the top for me remains the very foundational documents for baseball, the Laws of Base Ball manuscripts by Doc Adams, Wheaton etc., which sold for well over 3 million.

[GaryPassamonte]

It's hard to argue with that, Bruce.

[Joe_G.]

Isaac Broome, Ott, & Brewer Urn was written about in detail (with picture) by Carlton Hendricks in 2007 here (2 were made, both still exist):

http://www.network54.com/Forum/56713...0/1880s+Statue