SCP Auctions November 19th, 2011 Auction

Before the 1924 season, Walter Johnson announced that he would be winding down after seventeen years as the major league's premier pitcher. At age 37 "The Big Train's" engine was finally slowing. To this day, the seven-game World Series victory by Johnson's Senators over the powerhouse New York Giants in 1924 represents the pinnacle of baseball in the Capital City. The offered pendant is among a scant few surviving pieces of its kind that were presented to players and key team personnel in commemoration of what would be the Senators lone World Series title. It’s design, size and opulence are befitting of the occasion. An embossed image of the US Capitol building looms above a ball and bats motif, with a diamond nestled in a baseball shaped setting. "Washington" is lettered in gold set in red enamel, with "World 1924 Champions" similarly lettered at bottom in blue enamel. Text on back reads, "Presented to Thomas G. Taylor by the Commissioner of Baseball." Tommy Taylor was a back-up infielder on the 1924 Washington Senators, his only year in the majors. After playing the first half of the season with the Southern Association Memphis Chicks, he was bought by the Washington Senators for the last half of the 1924 season. He appeared in 26 games during the regular season and then 3 games of the 1924 World Series, mainly as a defensive replacement. He struck out both times in his only 2 at bats. The bottom is stamped "14KT Dieges & Clust." In terms of condition, the piece is a marvel, appearing as if it has not seen the light of day since the confetti last fell on Pennsylvania Avenue. NM-MT condition.

Also available in this auction are Taylor's personal panorama photo of the Washington Senator's visit to the White House given to all the players (Lot 363) and his personal scrap book covering the 1924 season (Lot 365). Lot 365 also contains photos of 36 baseball players, mostly Washington Senators; the Rules and Regulations for the 1924 World Series from the Office of the Commissioner; and telegrams from friends and former minor league teammates wishing him well in the 1924 World Series.