Back Lot Number: 989  
     

Lot 989
 
Description: Rare Joe DiMaggio "Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Award" for outstanding batting achievement in 1939 along with the accompanying personal Sultan of Swat figural trophy. Brass crown shaped award was made famous by Babe Ruth who donned a similar crown during the 1920s. The award was created in 1956 by the Maryland Professional Baseball Players Association to be presented to the player with the highest slugging percentage. Joe DiMaggio was presented with the award for his superb 1939 MVP season in 1963 together with Hank Aaron. Joe was quoted as saying, "this is the greatest award in baseball." The crown itself has a high quality polished brass finish with embossed and incised brass lettering on the front reading, "Babe Ruth Sultan of Swat Award Presented to Joe DiMaggio For Outstanding Batting Achievement 1939 Maryland Professional Baseball Players Association". The six 'points' of the crown each retain their original colored glass gemstones inset onto baseball shaped diamond fields. The body of the crown is inscribed with DiMaggio's 1939 statistics and accolades including the American League Most Valuable Player award. The Sultan of Swat presentational crown award has become one of the most revered in baseball likely due to its link to the mythical Babe Ruth. The list of other crown award recipients reads like the Hall of Fame roll call incl. Mantle, Aaron, Williams, Mays, and Banks. Also included with the Sultan of Swat Crown is the original accompanying figural trophy presented to Joe DiMaggio along with the crown. The trophy features a figural brass batter atop of a red velvet king's crown having inset colored "gems". Mahogany base under the crown has three applied brass placards with one inscribed to Joe DiMaggio and the other two listing his 1939 statistics. The trophy measures 10" tall and is the first of its type that we have encountered. Includes a copy of a photograph picturing Joe DiMaggio and Hank Aaron wearing their crowns and holding their trophies. Very highly sought after figural award is one of only a handful to have entered the marketplace and remains in nearly pristine original condition. 7" tall: NM
Sold For: $75,000.00

 
Estimated Price: ($50,000.00-$75,000.00)  
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