Considered by many the greatest player of all time Mays was the prototype of the five-tool player; he hit for average and power ran the bases with intelligence and speed played a spectacular centerfield and possessed a great arm. Mays's preeminence as a centerfielder is supported statistically by his career total of 7095 putouts the most in major league history. He used his patented basket catch on routine fly balls and he regularly dumbfounded onlookers by making seemingly impossible plays including a his legendary game saving play during Game 1 of the 1954 World Series recalled today simply as The Catch.

Baseball gloves are among the most personal and therefore difficult to obtain items in the field of sports memorabilia. If you asked a dozen different baseball players how they break in a new baseball glove you will likely get a dozen different answers that include a myriad of techniques using everything from saddle soap to saliva. Once a player has tamed a glove their loyalty to each other usually becomes lasting. Unlike bats or uniforms to a lesser degree of which a player may go through dozens only a few gloves might be utilized throughout the career of a typical player. Presented here is one of only a handful of fielders gloves known in the hobby utilized by Hall of Fame legend Willie Mays possessive of ideal provenance. The "Rawlings XPG 6 X" professional model glove exhibits terrific season-long wear with a soft "Deep Well" pocket and sweat-darkened leather where the glove made contact with Mays' left hand. A vintage number "24" appears in marker on the exterior thumb with "24 Willie Mays" applied in the same marker to the pinky and ring finger. The glove originates from the personal collection of National League umpire Doug Harvey. A notarized letter of provenance from Harvey reads "This letter verifies that the glove signed "Willie Mays" with the number "24" was given to me by Willie Mays during the 1964 baseball season. My crew chief was Jocko Conlan and it was the third year of my umpiring career in the National League of Professional Baseball. I asked Willie for a signed baseball and he sent the glove instead of a ball to my dressing room in a paper sack. I gave the glove to my son Scott Harvey for his birthday." In order to clear up any potential confusion the glove is not actually "signed" by Mays--Harvey is simply referring to the written "Willie Mays" identifier on the glove. The usage wear and general characteristics of this Willie Mays glove suggests that it was a favorite of his during the heart of his storied career.

Includes letters of provenance from Doug Harvey as well as his son Scott Harvey. Additional LOA from Joe Phillips.