- More
1865 Trophy Bat Presented to Shortstop Ike Wilkins of the Athletic Base Ball Club of Philadelphia by the Team's Main Rival....
Click the image to load the highest resolution version.
Description
Presentation Thoroughly Documented in Period Publications!
1865 Trophy Bat Presented to Shortstop Ike Wilkins of the Athletic Base Ball Club of Philadelphia by the Team's Main Rival. Just eight months and three hundred thirty miles from the surrender of the Confederate troops at Appomattox Courthouse to bring an end to the bloody American Civil War, this incredible relic from the infancy of our National Pastime found a proud new owner. That recipient was a star ballplayer named Ike Wilkins, whose name is artfully engraved upon a silver plaque affixed to the barrel of this hefty hunk of hardwood, the full text reading:"Presented to Ike Wilkins by his Friends and admirers of the Minerva Base Ball Club, Dec. 7th, 1865."
Thrillingly, our research team has been able to track down an 1866 publication by author Charles A. Peverelly's entitled "The Book of American Pastimes: Containing a History of the Principal Base-Ball, Cricket, Rowing, and Yachting Clubs of the United States," which makes direct reference to the presentation of this stunning artifact. After discussing the 1857 founding of the Minerva club, and noting that the team roster remained from its founding, and undefeated but for two meetings with their famous cross-town Philadelphia rivals the Athletics, Peverelly writes:
"On the 18th of January, 1866, the Minerva Club, by unanimous vote, presented to Mr. Isaac Wilkins, the champion short stop of the Athletic Club, a handsome prize bat, valued at $150. This splendid bat was forty inches long; of rosewood; mounted at the base with solid silver, three inches in length; a silver band, ten inches from top, and capped in like manner; a silver cord was attached, and an inscription plate bearing date, name and cause of presentation."
Also here is a photocopy of a column from the January 18, 1866 Philadelphia Inquirer, which reads, in part:
"Testimonial to Mr. Isaac Wilkins, the well-known short-stop of the Athletic Club--A committee of the Minerva Base Ball club, consisting of Messrs. Theo. E. Wiedersheim, C.J. McClary, Richard M. Neuman, Edward B. Paul and William Colbert, waited upon Mr. Wilkins and presented him with a handsome silver-mounted prize bat, wrapped handle and tastefully ornamented. The President of the Minerva (Mr. Wiedersheim) presented it in an appropriate speech, and alluded to the playing of Mr. Wilkins upon all occasions, and noted in particular the game at New York for the championship, where Mr. Wilkins' playing was the subject of comment, and thanked him for the manner in which he had always acted towards the Minerva Club. Mr. Wilkins responded and thanked the members of the Minerva for their kindness, and hoped always to merit the treatment just received. His modesty forbade him saying all he wished to. The bat, which is considered the handsomest ever gotten up, will shortly be on exhibition on Chestnut Street, where all base ball players will have an opportunity of seeing it."
This noble and generous show of sportsmanship makes its hobby debut within this Platinum Night auction, discovered just months ago in a Philadelphia attic. Though the engraved date of presentation differs from Peverelly's text, there is no doubt that this is the referenced award, capped at each end in silver with a band ten inches from the knob end, a braided cord looped around the lower handle and the engraved plate at the barrel. The glowing reports of its beauty are clearly not overstated, and while the silver adornments have tarnished over the passing decades, and the rosewood minimally scuffed, one could make register complaints over the current condition. As the earliest known trophy bat related to this founding member team of both the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players and the National League, the import and appeal is difficult to overstate.
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)US Coins
Ends on 02/26/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 02/26/2021
Historical
Ends on 02/27/2021
Sports Collectibles
Ends on 02/27/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 02/28/2021
Currency
Ends on 02/28/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/03/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/04/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Ends on 03/05/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/08/2021
Photography
Ends on 03/10/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/11/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 03/11/2021
Fine & Rare Wine
Ends on 03/12/2021
Western & Texas Art
Ends on 03/12/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 03/13/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/15/2021
Decorative Art
Ends on 03/16/2021
Fine Art
Ends on 03/17/2021
Nature & Science
Ends on 03/19/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 03/21/2021
US Coins
Ends on 03/22/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Ends on 03/25/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Ends on 03/25/2021
US Coins
Opens about 02/26/2021
Sports Collectibles
Opens about 03/04/2021
Luxury Real Estate
Opens about 01/22/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/03/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 03/08/2021
Movie Posters
Opens about 03/05/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/12/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/07/2021
Currency
Opens about 03/08/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/17/2021
Comics & Comic Art
Opens about 03/19/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 03/18/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/08/2021
Jewelry & Timepieces
Opens about 02/24/2021
Photography
Opens about 03/19/2021
Musical Instruments
Opens about 03/23/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/23/2021
Photography
Opens about 03/24/2021
Currency
Opens about 03/26/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/16/2021
Decorative Art
Opens about 03/26/2021
Historical
Opens about 03/29/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/21/2021
US Coins
Opens about 04/02/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 03/31/2021
Fine Art
Opens about 04/01/2021
US Coins
Opens about 03/22/2021
World & Ancient Coins
Opens about 03/28/2021
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 will definitely consider using Heritage again, as I have other items that might benefit from being offered at auction.View More Testimonials
Video tutorial
Getting the most out of search