Fall Premier Auction 2015
Wed, Nov 18, 2015 09:00PM EST - Sun, Dec 6, 2015 12:00PM EST
Timed Auction
Lot 132
RARE 1902 PITTSBURGH PIRATES NATIONAL LEAGUE CHAMPIONSHIP LAPEL PIN
Sold for
$5,317.20
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $10 |
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
| $300,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
After many years of being an also-ran in the National league the Pittsburgh Pirates' fortunes changed dramatically following the 1899 season after a monumental deal with the Louisville Colonels. The addition of star players such as Fred Clarke Honus Wagner Tommy Leach and Deacon Phillippe allowed Pittsburgh to become the first baseball dynasty of the twentieth century as they won National League pennants in 1901 1902 and 1903.
Without question the 1902 Pirates aggregation was the greatest of those three squads. The Pirates romped through the 1902 season with a 103-36 record a winning percentage of .741 the second-best ever compiled in the twentieth century. The Pirates easily won the National League Pennant by 27-1/2 games over the Brooklyn Dodgers. There was no World Series in 1902 (the World Series was introduced in 1903) so the Pirates ultimate declaration as presented on this extremely rare pin was simply that of "Champions 1902."
Measuring 1.25" in length this pennant shaped lapel pin features red and blue inset enamel surrounding the words "Pittsburgh Champions 1902." Stamped on reverse is "Graf & Niemann Pittsburg and Sterling." Graf & Niemann was a celebrated jeweler in Pittsburgh of the period. This is only the second version of this pin weve seen in the marketplace the other being a 14k gold version attributed to Pirates player Tommy Leach sold at auction a year ago for $17925. The quality craftsmanship and lack of surviving examples indicates that such pins were likely produced in very limited quantity exclusively for players and perhaps other high ranking team personnel. NM condition.
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