| |
 |
Lot Number: 1037
|
|
| |
|
|
Lot 1037
| |
| Description: Important Joe DiMaggio Yankee Stadium monument plaque. On May 30, 1932, the New York Yankees dedicated a stadium monument to their late manager Miller Huggins. This event began one of the most respected traditions in baseball history, known today as Monument Park. Within the hallowed shrine are plaques and monuments dedicated to the Yankees' finest including Miller Huggins, Jacob Ruppert, Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth, Edward Barrow, Mickey Mantle, and Joe DiMaggio. On April 12, 1970, Joe DiMaggio and Mickey Mantle were in attendance when their plaques were unveiled at Yankee Stadium. Their former teammates and friends Whitey Ford and Phil Rizzuto aided in the unveiling to the excitement of the Yankee Stadium faithful. The two greatest Yankees of the 1940s-60s era had taken their rightful place amongst those who had come before them. In 1984, Mr. George Steinbrenner and the Yankees were preparing for the annual Old Timers Day event of 1985, which was also Joe DiMaggio's 50th anniversary with the club. It was discovered that the monument plaques originally created and displayed for both Mantle and DiMaggio were smaller then those of Ruth and Gehrig. As such, Mr. Steinbrenner elected to order two new plaques of equal size to replace the existing smaller versions. These events are outlined in a 1984 letter sent from Mr. Steinbrenner to Joe DiMaggio, which is included with the lot. The original plaque, which had been dedicated in 1970, was then presented to Joe DiMaggio at the ceremonies held on July 13, 1985 to honor his 50th anniversary with the Yankees.
Bronze plaque is of the highest quality and has a raised bust image of DiMaggio with raised lettering both above and below as follows: Joe DiMaggio New York Yankees 1936-1951 The Yankee Clipper Hit in 56 Consecutive Games "Greatest Living Player" in Baseball's Centennial Year In Recognition of His Singular Excellence and For His Legacy of Greatness This Plaque Presented to Joe DiMaggio by Mickey Mantle in a Ceremony at Yankee Stadium on June 8, 1969". The plaque remains in fine original condition with some patination to the bronze on the reverse where it was attached to the wall at Yankee Stadium. Included with the plaque are numerous vintage photographs from the DiMaggio collection picturing the plaque, Mantle and DiMaggio, and the unveiling. Overall size is 18"x24". Absolutely unique opportunity to acquire one of the most historic baseball related presentational pieces to have ever enter the marketplace: EX-MT |
| Estimated Price: (Estimate Upon Request) |
|
|
