IRA THOMAS PHILADELPHIA ATHLETICS BASEBALL LOT WITH ELEPHANT & SIGNED BOOKS.
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Winning Bid:
$454.30
(Includes 18% Buyer's Premium)
Bidding Ended:
Tuesday, July 11, 2017 10:00:00 PM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Tuesday, July 11, 2017 10:00:00 PM)
Item Description
Ira Thomas (1881-1958) was an American professional baseball player, playing 10 seasons in the MLB (all in the AL), w/the New York Highlanders (1906-1907), Detroit Tigers (1908) and Philadelphia Athletics (1909-1915), primarily as a catcher. In Game 1 of the 1908 World Series, he pinch hit for shortstop Charley O'Leary in the ninth inning and singled for the first pinch base hit in World Series play. He played six seasons to finish his career w/the Athletics. He was the team captain and shared equal catching duty w/Jack Lapp as the Athletics won consecutive World Series in 1910 and 1911. The team also won an AL pennant and a World Series, in 1913 and 1914. In the 1911 season, Thomas finished eighth in AL MVP voting. After retiring, Thomas was a scout for the Athletics, remaining with the franchise even as it relocated to Kansas City in 1955. Offered here is an extensive lot including 14" long by 13.5' tall painted cast metal elephant, the mascot for the Athletics. Figure shows scattered paint wear w/spots of bare metal showing. Figure is aged w/scattered dust soiling and is Fine overall. Also included is 5.75x11.25x2.5" tall brass desk caddy w/hinged lid containing glass inkwell. Front has etched name plate reading "Ira F. Thomas - Scout - Phila. American League B.B. Club." Caddy shows obvious aging w/some oxidation to name plate. VG. Lot also includes pair of 5x6-7/8" leatherbound books; 1924 and 1926 editions of "Professional Baseball In America," both w/"Ira F. Thomas" name on cover and signed by Thomas is blue ink on title pages. 1924 edition has some scattered wear/aging and is Fine/VF w/some pages having scattered aging. 1926 edition shows more moderate wear w/corner tip and spine wear and .5" break at bottom right corner of front cover. VG w/Exc. contents. Rest of lot includes Thomas' personal AL schedule booklets (13 different issued between 1938-1954 as well as Athletic's home schedules and related papers (11 pieces in total, from 1942-1952). A great lot of personal effects, something unique for the Athletic's fan. Comes with Hake's COA and JSA COAs.
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