Offered here is an important and historic pair of artifacts from the personal collection of the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Hall of Fame manager Walt Alston honors bestowed on Alston by the Governor of Ohio his home state and the launching point of many prestigious awards as state officials clamored to honor their famous native son. Alston’s unprecedented string of 23 one-year contracts yielded handsome dividends like seven National League Pennants four World Series titles and a plaque in Cooperstown for Alston. The first award with gold plate engraving mounted on a larger polished wood backing reads “Governor Award for the Advancement of the Prestige of Ohio to Walter Alston” and includes engraved facsimile signature from the Governor as well as engraving of the state seal at the top and the date 1959. The second award has a larger version of the state seal sculpted in gold against black backdrop with elegant engraving below as follows: “Special Recognition Award to Walter “Smokey” Alston Baseballs Winningest Manager on the inauguration of his 19^th season as manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers – Ohio Salutes Your Achievement.” Again the Governor’s facsimile autograph is engraved below. All of the elements appear to be largely as-issued and problem free without even much of the tiny nicks to the dark-brown polished wood edges on the border. Clearly these are important artifacts that were carefully preserved for many decades. The good folks of the State of Ohio applaud mightily even to the point of using his famous nickname “Smokey.”

Lot comes with a Letter of Authenticity from the Walter Alston Collection.