This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/28/2011
Collectors, presented in this lot is the greatest Pre War baseball cap ever publicly offered.
Just 12 years after the most famous battle of the Civil War, Eddie Plank was born on August 31st, 1875 in Gettysburg, PA. A local favorite, Eddie Plank briefly played college level baseball for Gettysburg College and quickly caught the eye of Connie Mack.
Plank made his major league debut on May 13, 1901, for the Philadelphia Athletics, a team he would play for until 1914. This cap dates to the 1908 - 1914 era, which Plank would have worn while playing for his home state Athletics.
When viewing the cap, you can immediately visualize this cap worn on the head of Eddie Plank. The construction and design becomes readily apparent as the style of cap worn by members of the Athletics during the 1908-1914 era. Many contemporary baseball cards and period photos capture teammates and Eddie Plank wearing this style of lid. We are not calling this a photo match, but use the available image to show the strong similarities of cap to Eddie Plank photo. During the 1908-1914 era, Eddie Plank and the Philadelphia Athletics won 2 World Championships, 1911 & 1913.
The cap is constructed with a 4-panel top, which is outlined in dark chocolate brown braiding. The top criss cross striping, which separates the 4-panel design, can be seen on the accompanying photo of Plank, thus verifying the style as correct for Plank during the era. 8 ventilation holes are found on top, two per panel. A chocolate brown button tops this period lid.
The material wrapping the cap's crown is also decorated with 5 horizontal chocolate stripes. Note the additional thickness of the bottom stripe, which is also identifiable on the accompanying photo.
8 stitches outline the small brim of Eddie Plank's recognizable cap. In the two panel opposite the brim, the initials, EP appear in separate panels. Examinations reveal the writing is period and vintage. There is no manufacturers label present.
Gettysburg is important to the history of this game worn Plank cap, as it was consigned directly from the family which lived near Gettysburg whose father-in-law saved this cap, as a token of his admiration for the Gettysburg baseball hero. The consignor's great uncle used to say, "Save this cap, it will be worth money someday". This wisdom was uttered many decades before the current memorabilia market was even developed.
To our knowledge, this is the only surviving relic of game worn memorabilia associated with the career of Eddie Plank. He died in his hometown of Gettysburg at age 50 on February 21st, 1926. The cap remains in exceptional near mint condition, while exhibiting the rare blend of heavy game wear. One small area of the inner silk linking has a small two inch tear. An extremely rare opportunity to own a piece of game worn memorabilia from 326 game winner Eddie Plank.
MEARS LOA/Troy R. Kinunen