Historical Hockey and Sports Memorabilia Auction November 2024
A staple in the City of Montreal between 1896–1960 who at times served as as a farm club of Major League teams such as the Philadelphia Athletics, Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers, the Montreal Royals remain famous for being the minor league club where Jackie Robinson got his start before ascending to the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Having won league titles in 1898, 1922, 1941, 1946, 1948, 1949, 1951, 1953 and 1958, with the 1946 Royals recognized as one of the 100 greatest minor league teams of all time, offered here is this collection of Royals memorabilia that includes 1948 and 1957 team-signed baseballs, an International League game ball that dates from the late-1930s/early-1940s, an International League game ball that is dated as being from 1941 and finally, an official International League baseball made by Spalding that dates from between 1949 and 1960 and is still housed in its original box. Starting with the team-signed balls, both "Official International League" game balls made by Spalding, the 1948 example shows toning throughout and moderate fading to the stampings while the 1957 ball is still fairly white (light toning throughout) and displays with crisp stampings. For the 1948 ball, signed by nineteen (19) members of that year's squad in blue pen ink that still displays well despite some even fading from age, some names that have signed include; Walt Nothe, Don Newcombe, John Simmons, Bobby Morgan, Art Schallock, Sam Jethroe and others. For the 1957 ball, signed by nineteen (19) members of that year's squad in blue pen ink that all displays well, some names that have signed include; Bill Harris, Jimmy Williams, Jim Gentile, Harry Schwegman, Fred Kipp, René Valdés, Bob Wilson and others. For the remaining three (3) balls, the late-1930s/early-1940s example shows good use with dirt still in the seams and retains legible albeit worn stampings while having had "Syracuse vs Montreal - Montreal 4-3" penned over one panel in black fountain ink while another panel shows a facsimile signature of then International League president Frank J. Shaugnessy. For the 1941 ball, the same style of ball as the one listed before it but more worn/stained with heavily faded stampings, penned over one panel in faded black fountain ink is a notation reading "Rochester vs Montreal - May 16, 1941, 6 hits - 6 runs". Finally, the last ball is an official Spalding made International League game ball that dates between 1949 and 1960. Still housed in its original box that remains in overall excellent condition, the ball remains extremely crisp and white while retaining strong stampings. Additionally, the original tissue paper wrapping is also still found on the inside of the box.
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