- More
1934 Tour of Japan Team Signed Baseball....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
1934 Tour of Japan Team Signed Baseball. In 1934, the United States was in the midst of its Great Depression, which sparked a global financial crises, and the world inched closer to a world war with the rise of Hitler in Germany and the growing presence of Japanese imperialism in the Pacific. When a band of the best American major league baseball players traveled to Japan that year for a series of exhibitions games, more was at stake than just sport. Politicians on both side hoped that the their two nations shared love for the game of baseball could help quell some of the political tension that had built up between them as the United States and the Japanese Empire vied a foothold in China and naval supremacy in the Pacific theatre.Reports say that 500,000 people lined the streets of Ginza to welcome the Babe and the American baseball stars, with rows of Japanese fans as many as twenty deep. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig rode together and led the parade in an open limousine. People were hanging out of windows throwing confetti and the crowds were cheering for the players and screaming "Bonzai Babe Ruth!" The Bambino reciprocated by waving both American and Japanese flags, one in each hand.
The other members of the team included other bona fide baseball giants of the twentieth century: Boston's Beast, Jimmie Foxx; Detroit's Charlie Gehringer, the Mechanical Man; Lefty O'Doul, a two-time batting champion who was instrumental in growing the sport of baseball in Japan. (In fact, it was O'Doul who named Japan's most famous team, the Tokyo Giants, after his beloved New York Giants with whom he won a World Series title); Lefty Gomez, who won two pitching triple crowns and five World Series with the Yankees; and Connie Mack, the game's most celebrated and respected manager, who was there for every baseball season of the first half-century.
On offer here is a spectacular signed baseball from that iconic tou,r and a bridge between baseball and world history. "Official Royal Match Ball" manufactured in Osaka, Japn is signed in fountain pen by a full cast of sixteen, including Ruth, Gehrig, Foxx (clubhouse), Gehringer, Mack, Averill, Gomez and catcher/spy Moe Berg. Signatures average 7/10, with all listed names close to that ranking. Only two lesser names challenge the eyes, due is large part to an expert vintage coating of shellac only apparent upon close inspection. A small mounting hole is likewise innocuous, and well clear of all autographs. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Auction LOA from James Spence Authentication.
Auction Info
Buyer's Premium per Lot:
19.5% of the successful bid (minimum $14) per lot.
Calculate Standard Domestic Shipping Sales Tax information
Terms and Conditions | Bidding Guidelines and Bid Increments | Glossary of Terms
Floor auctions
Open for bidding: (View All)Currency
Ends on 01/26/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 01/28/2021
US Coins
Ends on 01/29/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 02/03/2021
Sports Collectibles
Ends on 02/04/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 02/05/2021
Luxury Accessories
Ends on 02/07/2021
US Coins
Ends on 02/09/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 02/10/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 02/11/2021
Currency
Ends on 02/11/2021
US Coins
Ends on 02/15/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 02/17/2021
US Coins
Ends on 02/18/2021
US Coins
Ends on 02/22/2021
Currency
Opens about 01/25/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/03/2021
Photography
Opens about 02/03/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/05/2021
Historical
Opens about 02/08/2021
Sports Collectibles
Opens about 02/05/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 01/31/2021
Currency
Opens about 02/01/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/10/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/11/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 02/19/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/08/2021
Photography
Opens about 02/17/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/18/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 02/18/2021
Western & Texas Art
Opens about 02/19/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 02/19/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/12/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 02/23/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/26/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 02/24/2021
Nature & Science
Opens about 02/26/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 02/21/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/15/2021
Luxury Real Estate
Opens about 01/22/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/03/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 03/11/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 02/25/2021
Heritage membership
- Past Auction Values (prices, photos, full descriptions, etc.)
- Bid online
- Free Collector newsletter
- Want List with instant e-mail notifications
- Reduced auction commissions when you resell your
winnings
- Cash Advances
- More Bidders
- Trusted Experts
- Over 200,000 Satisfied Consignors Since 1976
Learn about consigning with us
I'm a relatively new client at Heritage, and Calvin Arnold, Director and Sports Card expert, has helped make me a Big fan in just a few months.View More Testimonials
Video tutorial
Getting the most out of search