Presented here is an exceptionally scarce New York Giants season pass to the Polo Grounds for the 1915 season. Records indicate that this is just the fourth different 1915 Giants season pass to come up for auction in the past thirty years! We sold one in 2011 for $6,853 and the two others sold more recently went for $10,800 and $16,730.

The intricate design displays a backdrop of the Polo Grounds on the front with "Season 1915” and “The Gates of the Polo Grounds are open to James Whitcomb Riley." The pass is numbered "332" on the bottom left and has the facsimile signature of team president Harry Hempstead in the lower right corner. Details on how to properly score a baseball game are engraved on the back.

Adding to the desirability of this pass is its recipient. James Whitcomb Riley was a best-selling author and famous poet whose most recognizable works include “Little Orphant Annie” and “The Raggedy Man.” The Indiana native passed away at the age of 66 in 1916, a year after he was issued this pass. Schools, museums, hospitals and even a U.S. military ship have been named in his honor.

Silver in color, these passes were constructed from aluminum due to the limited supply of pure silver during World War I. Thus, they were typically prone to minor bends and indentations. This magnificent example, however, has no such issues. Measuring 3.5” by 2.25”, it comes in EX/EX-MT shape with ample surface wear – understandable for its century plus age and former usage. A wonderful artifact from the days of McGraw, Mathewson, Merkle and Marquard, the pass even includes the black leather holder presumably used by Riley.