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LOT #80114 |

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1957 Ted Williams Game Worn Boston Red Sox Cap....

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Description

Thoroughly provenanced relic derives from estate of Cleveland Indians equipment manager

1957 Ted Williams Game Worn Boston Red Sox Cap. A veteran of two wars, and rapidly approaching forty years of age, the legendary Boston Red Sox outfielder was still playing like a "Kid" the season this cap served its tour of duty. The year would conclude with Williams' fifth of a career six American League batting titles, his .388 average second only to that fabled 1941 excursion north of the .400 mark within his personal stat book. Only hard-slugging Senator Roy Sievers exceeded Williams' home run total of thirty-eight. So dangerous was the Splendid Splinter during the closing weeks of the 1957 season that he was once walked eleven times over a span of fifteen at-bats. When he was not walked during this stretch, he homered instead.

This important relic made its transition from Williams' wardrobe to sports collectible on August 21, 1957, a three to one Red Sox victory over the hosts at Cleveland Stadium. It was upon this occasion that Williams gifted the cap to Al Shapanus, the Indians equipment manager whose personal collection has made numerous appearances in the modern hobby. It is Shapanus' vintage handwriting that appears at interior of the leather headband, reading, "Cap from Ted Williams, 8-21-57." The trail of provenance continues with a 1990 letter from hobby denizen Phil Wood, who attests that the cap derived from Shapanus' estate, which featured other notable gear including bats from Williams, Rocky Colavito and Vic Wertz.

The cap is crafted in the classic Red Sox style, with local Boston "Tim McAuliffe" manufacturer's label and "Pro KM Cap [size] 7 3/8" stamping at interior headband. Heavy wear is evident, with sweat staining throughout and a faded "Williams" penned in vintage block letter under the visor. The cardboard insert of the visor is cracked, but this does not negatively affect the display. A blue sharpie signature on the bottom of the visor dates to decades later.

With protracted wear from one of Williams' finest seasons, this cap ranks among the most desirable in the post-war hobby. When it first appeared within the collectibles market over two decades ago, it was the only known Williams cap in private hands, but a few have since surfaced, mainly from his post-playing days service as coach and manager, perfectly matching the sizing of the presented example. This is still considered the best 1950's Williams model available within the collecting community. Letter of provenance from Phil Wood. LOA from Mike Heffner. LOA from John Taube. Full LOA from PSA/DNA (autograph). Full LOA from James Spence Authentication (autograph).

1957 Ted Williams Game Worn Boston Red Sox Cap.

*A donation of $100 to the American Red Cross is required to attend the Live auction.