This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2019
The 1914 Philadelphia Athletics World Series press pin perfectly typifies the opulence of early ribboned examples. This fine specimen was given to members of the media attending the first two games of that year’s Fall Classic at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park. The mighty Athletics of that dynastic franchise were Connie Mack’s utmost pride, and he certainly spared no cost for his club’s issued press pins. Amplifying the aesthetic beauty of the 1914 A's press pin is its scarcity. The few known examples are held in the most esteemed private collections or found in museums. Very seldom do these come up for auction. Mack’s boys were fully expected to win their fourth straight World Series, but instead fell victim to one of the most improbable championship runs in baseball history. The Boston Braves rode an incredible streak into the series, having gone from dead last in the National League to winning 70 of 89 games to take the pennant. They then swept the A’s in four straight to shock the nation.
The upper brooch (1-3/4” by 1-1/16”) reads "Philadelphia Athletics American League" in raised relief surrounding an image of the team's elephant logo perched atop a raised baseball done in white enamel. Hanging from the brooch is a striped silk ribbon with "PRESS" in gold embossed lettering. Completing the elegant design is a rectangular pendant (1.25” by 1.5”) bordered in blue enamel upon which is "World Series - Shibe Park - Philadelphia." The year, "1914," appears along the base in relief. The center of the pendant displays an image of a globe, in the center of which is the crossed-bats logo of the Baseball Writers' Association in green enamel. The reverse is hallmarked by the maker, "J.E. Caldwell & Co., Phila." The brooch-back needle and latch come as-issued and problem-free. Both the brooch and pendant exhibit light oxidation from aging. The ribbon – almost always a major issue with these pins – is fully intact with moderate-to-heavy wear along the side edges. Overall, the brooch and pendant are EX/EX-MT and the ribbon is VG.