1898 Special Instructions to Players Regarding Obscene Language

Sold For:

$3,819

Year:

1897

Auction:

2008 Spring

Lot #:

1183

Category:

Pre-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Presented here is a second example of the "Special Instructions To Players" document issued by a special National League committee in 1898. For complete information regarding this piece, please reference the description for the preceding lot. This is the second (and last) of two examples of this document from the estate of baseball historian Al Kermisch. This example is not in quite the same condition as the previous example, but is still complete and has the same historical significance as the higher-grade document. It is also the only other example currently known to exist. This was going to be kept by our consignors, because the condition was lesser, the value was assumed to be modest, and it was such an interesting item, but after seeing that there was so much interest in the first example, it seemed that this second example, even in lower grade, would also be well received, and still be of great interest to collectors. This example (5.5 x 11 inches) is slightly trimmed along the entire left edge, but this is in the margin area only, and does not affect any of the text. It is also toned and displays three heavy horizontal fold lines (matching almost exactly the placement of the fold lines on the other piece). Unfortunately, this document suffered complete separations along the bottom two fold lines, which were subsequently repaired by means of clear tape along the reverse. Those repairs were obviously done long ago, and the tape has turned brown and hardened with age. The document is in a folded state (it can be opened and flattened if desired) and close examination of the left margin, when folded, tells us that the the margin trim occurred when the document was folded. The document also has a corner chip in the lower right and a few very tiny edge tears. Still, despite faults, it displays well and is in overall approximately Good condition. Reserve $500. Estimate (open). SOLD FOR $3,818.75