Ultimate Red Sox Trophy to be Auctioned in NYC

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Posted By: Bruce Dorskind

the 1912 Trophy
Boston Red Sox World Series Champions
October 18, 2008
Madison Square Garden, NYC

About the Auction:
Guernsey's is pleased to be the auction house chosen to represent a unique piece of baseball history, one of very few World Series trophies to remain in private hands. Predating the days when Major League Baseball provided an offical World Series trophy, the 1912 Boston Red Sox team purchased this sterling silver trophy to honor their teammate and manager, Jake Stahl. Remaining in the Stahl family for the better part of a century, and now the property of a collector, the cup will find a new owner October 18, 2008. Bidders have a chance to own an incredible piece of baseball history.

The Story of the 1912 Boston Red Sox World Series Trophy
The World Champion 1912 Boston Red Sox left an indelible mark on the game of baseball, with two National Baseball Hall of Famers, six Boston Red Sox Hall of Famers, and a World Series so monumental that it couldn't be kept to a mere seven games...so they played eight. The team was the first to play on the now hallowed ground of Fenway Park, and they gave the Park a first outing worthy of its legendary status. This beautiful sterling silver trophy, presented to Red Sox player/manager Jake Stahl by his teammates, is a monument to a time when men played for the love of the game and to a franchise whose "Red Sox Nation" still understands what that means.
The first major league baseball game to be played at Fenway Park took place on April 20, 1912, between the Red Sox and the New York Highlanders (who later became the Yankees). The Sox launched their new ballpark with a rousing 7-6 win. As the season progressed, that winning streak continued, with the Sox and their ever-present "Royal Rooters" - led by Boston Mayor (and grandfather to President John F. Kennedy) John "Honey-Fitz" Fitzgerald and local tavern owner and Red Sox fanatic Michael T. "Nuf-Ced" McGreevy - marching towards the American League Championship and the World Series with a regular season record of 105-47. The 1912 roster included National Baseball Hall of Famers Harry Hooper and Tris Speaker, and Boston Red Sox Hall of Famers Bill Carrigan, Larry Gardner, Duffy Lewis and Smokey Joe Wood.

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Posted By: Greg Theberge

Here it is...

http://cgi.liveauctions.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWAX%3AIT&viewitem=&item=320304259520

Just a tadd bit out of my price range, oh well...

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Posted By: dstudeba

The upper estimate is 1 billion dollars.

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Posted By: Brock G.

Having a ridiculous estimate like that makes the auctioneer looks unprofessional IMO. I dont understand the motive there.
Is it even worth the 50k opening bid?

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Posted By: David Atkatz

All the estimates in Guernsey's catalog, and the opening bids on eBay for this auction are absurdly high.

The opening bid for a Yankee Stadium terracotta figural is $40,000. The last one available sold for $14,000 last year.

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Posted By: Greg Theberge

While this is a great piece, I'm still trying to figure out why it's called a world's series trophy.

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Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

Their opening bids and estimates are ridiculous. Who is in charge over there? I've never seen anything quite like it.

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Posted By: David Smith

In Zimbabwe, they are currently having unbelievable inflation.

So, here is what you do; you bid on and win this trpohy for one BILLION dollars and then send in a one billion dollar bill (worth about .34 US cents) from Zimbabwe.

This way, the auction house gets its high estimate hit and gets paid in cash.

Then, when they say it was ridiculous for the winner to pay in Zimbabwean currency, the high bidder can come right back and say it is ridiculous for an auciton house to list $1 billion dollars as a high estimate for a sports item. Unless, that is, the auction house is selling the Chicago Cubs and Wrigley Field.

David

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Posted By: Mark Steinberg

An enormous percentage of these lots will go unsold. What is their strategy? Nothing about those minimum bid amounts is based in reality.

I don't know much about Guernsey's.... do they always operate in this manner? And who consigns to them?

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Posted By: MVSNYC

they were the ones who auctioned McGwire's 70th HR ball (i was at that live event in 1999). in that auction they also had other significant pieces from that season. they also auctioned an incredible selection of Mantle items a few years back as well (i was at that event, too). they get cool pieces, and put out great catalogs...BUT, i agree that these estimates are out of this world.

MS

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Posted By: Shawn Chambers

dstudeba...

the upper estimate is a million NOT a billion! Quite a bit of difference, but still overestimated!

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Posted By: Brock G.

Actually Shawn, it was one billion when dstudeba posted that. It has since been changed to a mere million dollars. Now I can bid!

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Posted By: Shawn Chambers

My apologies...a billion is absolutely crazy! Only Hal Chase's loving cup is worth a billion!

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Posted By: Clint

I remember this trophy when it was sold by Oregon Trail Sports Auctions back in 1998. They had a great selection from Jake Stahl. I'd much rather have the jersey, sweater, or championship medal personally.
Clint

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Posted By: Jeff S.

..was responsible for the famous Topps Auction in 1989 - the original opening of the Topps Vault.

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Posted By: Greg Theberge

Clint,

Do you have the prices realized for that auction? Very nice indeed.

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Posted By: Jim VB

Greg,

Email sent. Sorry if it's an unusual format.

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Posted By: Clint

Greg, no I didn't get the prices realized on this auction. They also sold a 1903 Worlds Champions medal given by the Boston Globe. It's a truly stunning piece.

Clint

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Posted By: Mike Gray

The trophy's cool, but those medals are awesome pieces of sports history. I'd much rather have those than the silver cup. Just my two cents.
Be Well,
Mike Gray
gray766@hotmail.com

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Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

Clint,

Was there any holographic material offered in the Stahl estate?

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Posted By: Clint

Jodi, nothing was noted in any lots that would appear to be holographic. Is there something specific you have in mind?

Clint

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Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

Just curious if there was any signed material/papers that were sold as part of the estate. I don't recall seeing anything appear on the secondary market.

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Posted By: Clint

Here's the other items minus the 1903 medal.

Clint

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Posted By: Greg Theberge

The rascal closed at $190,000. I think that's a tad bit lower than a billion, but still a tad bit too rich for my blood.

Time to go sacrifice a chicken and go into my rituals for the game tonight...

greg

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Posted By: Mike

I managed to find the prices realized from the Oregon Trail auction back in 1998 for this trophy and a few other Stahl items:

Stahl Trophy - $2143.00
Stahl 1910 pocket watch - $2417.00
Stahl 1912 lapel pin - $2197.00
Stahl 1906 Tea Set - $3328.00
Stahl 1912 jersey - $3993.00
Stahl 1903 WS medallion - $13200.00

Not a bad flip going from $2143 to $190000

Mike

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Wonder what that 1912 jersey would sell for today.

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Posted By: Jodi Birkholm

Dan,

My thoughts exactly. $50K?