Circa 1947 New York Yankees AAFC Football Blanket

Sold For:

$2,204

Year:

1947

Auction:

2006 Spring

Lot #:

1134

Category:

Football Cards or Memorabilia

This rare blanket dates from the late 1940s and was issued by the New York Yankees football team, a member of the short-lived All-American Football Conference. The blue wool blanket measures 56 x 65 inches and displays a white chenille football in the lower right corner featuring the Yankees team name and familiar red, white and blue "Top Hat" logo (first adopted by the Yankees baseball team in 1936). A "Sand-Knit" tag appears on the reverse. The reason the team's name and logo was identical to that of the city's baseball team was the fact that both teams were owned by Dan Topping, who (together with Del Webb and Larry MacPhail) purchased the Yankees baseball franchise in 1945. The AAFC began play in 1946 as a rival to the NFL but folded after just four seasons of play. The AAFC Yankees, who played their home games at Yankee Stadium, were one of the better clubs in the league, losing in the AAFC title game to the Cleveland Browns in both 1946 and 1947. It is interesting to note that Brooklyn also had an entry in the AAFL, named the Dodgers, and that Branch Rickey later took on the role of the team's general manager in addition to his baseball duties. The blanket is in Excellent condition (with no tears or moth holes as commonly found in such items) and is an extraordinarily rare and substantial souvenir from the old AAFC. Reserve $200. Estimate $400/$800. SOLD FOR $2,204.00