Spring Premier Auction 2015

Here are three wonderful pieces replete with the minor league lore that is linked to, among others, one of the top organizations in baseball, the St. Louis Cardinals, who were affiliated with the minor-league club from 1966-2000. These pieces from their top affiliate for many decades the Arkansas Travelers reveal the unique charm and essence of Midwestern minor-league baseball in decades past. The team succeeded the Little Rock Travelers, which appellation became defunct in 1961 and were at different times affiliated with the Boston Red Sox, Boston Braves, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics, and Baltimore Orioles. The Travelers were the first professional sports team to claim an entire state in 1957 when they became the Arkansas Travelers. Both versions of the name derive from the old folk song, The Arkansas Traveler. The first piece is a full uniform from the 1946 Little Rock club, complete with wool jersey, pants and socks. The shirt has Bush Caldwell labeling at the back of the collar and embroidered in red on the inside of the front left tail notations of "46" for the year and the player No. 15. Jersey has "LR" interlocking letters on the front in blue and red felt, No. 15 on the back in the same fashion and red and blue piping around the intact six buttons and sleeve edges; there is a shield red, white and blue "Health" patch on the left sleeve. The Size 40 pants show game use even more vividly than the shirt and have"40" and "12" embroidered in red near the five buttons at the opening, and similar red and blue piping on the belt loops, pocket flaps and down the legs. Red, white and blue striped stockings are in excellent condition and show game wear. Second piece is a 1960 home jersey has "Travelers" in script sewn across chest in red. Small "7" in red and large "7" in red sewn on front and back respectively. MacGregor Size 42 Tag appears at the back of the collar, with a significant portion missing from wear. Flannel jersey appears totally original and displays heavy game use. Holes from wear along top of right shoulder. The final piece is the gray flannel from 1966, with the iconic Cardinals atop a bat with "Travelers" in script sewn across chest in red, gold and black chenille. Small "17" in red with black trim also sewn on chest and in same fashion but larger on the back. "LR" in red with black trim sewn on left sleeve. Rawlings Size 44, and Washing instructions tags appear at the lower front left tail, with an adjacent tag removed. Flannel jersey appears totally original and displays good game use.