This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/24/2018
The Following Lot Originates from the Jake Virtue Estate Collection (click here for info.)
One of the rare perks available to retired baseball players before the advent of a pension system was the Lifetime Pass. These ornate courtesy cards were awarded to the former players in recognition of their careers and granted them unlimited access to any ballpark. These are a pair of lifetime passes that belonged to Jake Virtue, first baseman of the Cleveland Spiders and teammate of Cy Young from 1890 to 1894. The first is a National League pass printed on cardstock with a printed facsimile signature of league president Ford Frick. The card shows good wear with light creasing and staining from use. The second pass is a beautifully engraved metal piece that gave Virtue unlimited access to any park in both the American and National League. The pass has “JAKE VIRTUE” engraved above the legend “IN APPRECIATION OF LONG AND MERITOUS SERVICE” and features the facsimile signatures of William Harridge and Ford Frick, presidents of the two leagues. The pass show good use with some surface abrasions and tarnishing from age. Both these passes come with their original presentation boxes and insert cards bearing a message from the presidents of the two major leagues. Two stunning passes that granted Jake Virtue unlimited access to baseball’s Golden Age. LOA from the Jake Virtue Estate.