Researching Spalding Trophies - Early references/info sought

[CarltonHendricks]

Photo courtesy Robert Edward Auctions
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RESEARCHING SPALDING TROPHIES - EARLY REFERENCES/INFO SOUGHT

Hi, I am doing a quick research on the evolution of Spalding trophies. In the hobby, the term “Spalding Trophy” has generally come to mean one the five Type A examples in the photo above. But of course there are other trophies bearing the Spalding name, which Spalding issued. I’m interested to learn about any early trophy issued by Spalding, not just thee “Spalding’s“. Actually I’d like to learn of the earliest know Spalding trophy. Below is a list of specific information I seek. Naturally photos would be greatly appreciated. Thanks

- What is the earliest trophy known which Spalding issued, for any athletic sport.

- I seek documentation on early Spalding trophies; be it from an article in a periodical, or catalog, or correspondence of any kind. If you can take a shot of what you have and post it that would be great.

- Any documentation or photos of anything related to the Dieges and Clust concern. (Dieges and Clust produced the type A trophies above)

- I would even be interested in info on non Spalding trophies if they were very early, from like anything pre 1880.

I will be sure to send a link to this thread, to Michael Weigner, who’s grandfather was Colonel Charles J. Dieges (1865-1953) who founded Dieges and Clust.

I’m doing this quick research for a friend, but it’s a great interest of mine anyway. So I hope to do a story on the subject someday (like as if I didn’t have the 09’ National story to do) and may use what I glean here. With Leon’s permission of course.

[perezfan]

Well, I can tell you that both Mike H. and I were surprised to find (beyond a doubt) that the figurals are hollow... see photo. We wrongly assumed (due to the weight) that they were solid metal.

Also, here is the only other large figural Spalding Trophy I am aware of. It features the famous Jack Lambert Batter Statue, atop a Wood Base. This piece was featured in REA. Another one later appeared in Lelands (with no Base) and realized close to $2,000.

http://www.robertedwardauctions.com/.../2005/750.html

[perezfan]

Here is Lefty Grove receiving his 1931 MVP Award from Connie Mack. Note the care taken with them handling this great piece, as it must have been as revered back then as it is now.

This trophy was undoubtedly made by Dieges & Clust, and was more opulent than even the Spaldings. Note the columnar structure and the ornately decorated wood base.

http://images.google.com/imgres?imgu...%3Den%26sa%3DG

[lefty147]

I had this 1914 Spalding trophy about 10 years ago. If I remember correctly it had Spalding written across the baseball and was 20"-24" tall. Please excuse the crappy picture. Mike

[CarltonHendricks]

Mark, Thanks for posting...boy that's one messed up trophy....but worth fixing.

Lefty, You jarred my memory...I forgot I have a Spalding loving cup very similar to yours...and interestingly mine has 1914 on the ball too!....it's about 24 1/2" tall engraved to the "Medina Fraternal Base Ball League". Maybe that was Medina Ohio near Cleveland. Spalding must have had a specific campaign that provided trophies to every backwater village in America...which of course was a very successful advertising vehicle since we're here discussing Spalding trophies 100 years later! Would like to hear from anyone that can speak to this. I sure hope to see examples and or information of 19th century Spalding trophies on this thread...

[lefty147]

Your trophy looks like it was made with a lot more quality. Mike