1938 NEGRO LEAGUES "NATIONAL VS AMERICAN LEAGUE/POLO GROUNDS" BUTTON.
Bidding has ended for this item.
Thank you for visiting our past auction results. If you have an identical (or similar) to this auction item, please call or contact us to discuss. We look forward to speaking with you.
Winning Bid:
$1,998.92
(Includes 18% Buyer's Premium)
Bidding Ended:
Wednesday, September 23, 2020 9:00:00 PM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Wednesday, September 23, 2020 9:00:00 PM)
Item Description
Only example known to Hake's, 1.75" single day issue with curl naming Phila. Badge Co. and blank but original back paper. Pittsburgh Crawfords owner and Negro National League President, Gus Greenlee, now deep in debt, had an idea to generate revenue by staging another All-Star exhibition game following the success of the East-West game played in every year since 1933 in Chicago's Comiskey Park. This new proposed all-star game would be played in New York, and at the end of the regular season. The game was to be played on Sunday, September 18, 1938 at Yankee Stadium. It was billed as the "First Annual Negro Baseball Classic," and instead of East-West, the two squads were composed of National-American league stars. Greenlee's luck that year was all bad though as the game was rained out. The make-up game was scheduled one week later, September 25, 1938, and the new location was the Polo Grounds. This beautiful pin was created for the make-up game. In addition to the date and location, the design of the pin included red stitching and blue lettering. While the make-up game at the Polo Grounds was played, the costs of staging both games further added to Greenlee's debt. Later that year Greenlee Field was demolished for non-payment of taxes. Greenlee resigned as President of the National Negro League in 1939 and also disbanded the Crawfords. What was intended to be an annual All-Star event became a one-off. Cello has 2" long hairline split along the collet but lays perfectly flat. At the midpoint of this line, the collet has a 5/8" line where metal is more flat and not as rounded as it should be. None of this has any visual impact. The front has small gray smudge at top which is really just an air under cello mark. There is very little surface wear. VF. Paul Muchinsky Collection.
Pictures (click images to zoom in)
Review your bid and press the Confirm Your Bid button below. Important: By confirming your bid, you are agreeing to purchase the item listed below if you are the winning bidder.
You haven't placed any bids.
