This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/4/2015
At the mid-way point of the 1982, Pete Rose was elected by his fans to his 15th All Star Game, played in Montreal Canada. Each elected member of the All Star game was gifted an official ring by the league. A very rare tribute for a truly special honor. This was the only 1982 All Star Ring gifted and owned by Pete Rose, and to our knowledge, no salesman samples of this ring have ever surfaced, making this a very rare item.
This ring from Balfour is set with a red stone inset with a simulated diamond set within a maple leaf. The red stone is encircled by "Partie" above and "D'Etoiles" below, both in raised letters. One side has a full-color Major League logo, with a laurel and star design below and ROSE engraved above. The design on the other side includes the Expos logo on a silver star surrounded by "Partie D'Etoiles - All-Star Game" with "1982" above and "Montreal" below. The inner band of the ring is engraved with "Balfour" and "celestrium". The owner wore the ring proudly as it exhibits signs of handling wear.
Accompanying this lot are two forms of documentation serving as iron clad authenticity for this lot. First, is a period newspaper article clipping dated Monday, July 26, 1982 / Daily News which reads,
“No Comedy in diamond soup – Phillies first baseman Pete Rose last week gave his 1982 All-Star Game ring to his friend Vic Lapiner, the ex-USC and minor-league pitcher who coaches the Reseda American Legion team.
Rose, The Sporting News’ player of the decade for the ‘70s, has received 15 such rings. But this is the first one with a French inscription.”
Sometime after 1985, Mr. Vic Lainer had Pete Rose provide him with a hand written letter for the purpose of insurance and estate planning. Pete Rose replied with the following hand written letter on Pete Rose Hit King Marketing INC. stationary. The letter reads in full,
“To Whom I May Concern,
In 1982 I participated in the All Star Game in Montreal, Canada. I received an All Star ring from the National League.
I than gave the ring to my friend Vic Lapiner and it’s his to do what ever he wants to do with it.
Sincerely,
Pete Rose”
Vic Lapiner, part owner of Fromin’s Delicatessen, would host Pete Rose (a regular) when the Phillies were in town a lunch of soup, sandwich, rice pudding, and coffee.
Due to special circumstances relating to the estate of the consignor, this item is being
held in trust by a third party. At the completion of the auction, the ring will be sent to MEARS. Once in our possession, payment can be made to MEARS and the ring will be shipped.
A very rare ring owned by fan favorite and the All Time Hit King, Pete Rose. Consigned from the Vic Lapiner estate.