Consign Your Best Items with Lelands. We Also Pay Cash on the Spot! Learn More Here.
1939 Lou Gehrig Day Commemorative Plaque
"Today, I consider myself the luckiest man on the face of the earth."On July 4, 1939, the New York Yankees paid tribute to their terminally ill captain Lou Gehrig at Yankee Stadium by holding a special day in his honor. The official ceremony was held between games of a doubleheader against the Senators, during which time Gehrig was presented with a multitude of gifts. The most significant of those was a silver charger presented to him by his teammates. The charger featured an engraved poem by John Kiernan along with the names of each member of the 1939 New York Yankees. Following the ceremony, renowned New York jewelers Dieges & Clust produced several rectangular brass plaques that replicated Kiernan's poem and list of player names as engraved on the charger.Offered is one of those scarce Lou Gehrig Day commemorative brass plaques produced by Dieges & Clust. The top of the plaque is lettered "American Sportsman," below which are Kiernan's poem (titled "To Lou Gehrig") and the printed names of thirty members of the New York Yankees. It must be noted that these specially produced brass plaques were not intended for retail sale and were issued only to select VIPs. This is the first example of this significant Lou Gehrig Day plaque we have ever handled and we can recall having seen only two others in the past twenty-five years. Lou Gehrig Day is perhaps the most moving Major League ceremony ever held held on account of Gehrig's famous "Luckiest Man" speech. Not surprisingly, other than tickets and programs, very few tangible souvenirs relating to that day remain. This piece is the rare exception and represents perhaps the most significant piece available to collectors commemorating Lou Gehrig Day. The plaque (4.75x10.5") displays a pre-punched hole at the top for mounting, minor tarnishing, and a few light scratches.
Past Sports Card, Memorabilia, Non-Sports Card and Collecitble Auction Items
Other past auction items that may be of interest to you.
1940’s New York Cuban Stars Pin & Pennant
1940’s East/West Negro League Pennant
1943 Zulu Cannibal Giants Negro League Broadside
1945 Chicago American Giants Negro League Broadside
1930’s Colored House of David Broadside (22x32”)
Satchell Paige Original Artwork by Richard Merkin (16x20”)
1940’s New York Cuban Stars Pin & Pennant