1922 Ross Youngs (HOF) New York Giants World Series Ring - First World Series Ring Ever Issued!

Sold For:

$58,750

Year:

1922

Auction:

2010 Spring

Lot #:

1259

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Extremely rare example of a 1922 New York Giants World Series ring - the first World Series ring ever produced! Its rarity notwithstanding, the fact that this ring was issued to Hall of Fame outfielder Ross Youngs, and remains in near-pristine condition, makes it one of the most significant World Series rings that could possibly exist. Although the Giants were the first club to issue World Series rings in 1922, it wasn't until the 1930s that rings became the standard award issued to honor members of championship teams. The only other teams to issue rings to its players in the 1920s were the St. Louis Cardinals in 1926 and the New York Yankees in 1927. The offered ring features the name "Ross Young" [sic] ornately engraved on the interior band. The 14k gold ring, manufactured by Dieges & Clust, displays a baseball-diamond motif on the top, upon the center of which is mounted a single diamond. The left shank features a design consisting of crossed bats, a ball, and glove, as well as a scroll bearing the words "Giants Worlds." The left shank features a scroll reading "Champions," below which is the year, "1922." All of the lettering on each shank is done in raised relief. The ring, which has been professionally cleaned, shows very little wear, which is particularly remarkable given the fact that the raised-letter design makes it especially prone to various handling flaws. With the exception of one, that issued to Ross Shinners, the few other examples we have seen were so badly worn that the words and year in the design were barely legible. This example is easily the finest we have ever seen with regard to condition. The reason for that is probably related to Youngs' tragic demise. In 1926 Youngs was afflicted by serious health problems that worsened over time. Although he finished the 1926 season, under a nurse's care, his deteriorating condition caused him to miss the entire 1927 season and he passed away in October of that year at the age of thirty. Given its extraordinary condition, this ring was probably not worn regularly by Youngs in the few years preceding his death, nor by any of his descendants. Robert Edward Auctions has only handled one other 1922 Giants ring in recent years, that issued to Ross Shinners. In our April 2007 sale, the ring realized a final sales price of $14,100. Offered once again in May 2009, the same ring sold for an astounding $58,750. This ring, given its impeccable condition and the fact that it was issued to Hall of Fame outfielder Ross Youngs, is, in our opinion, the finest, by far, of the very few examples known. Its extreme rarity and significance as the first World Series ring ever produced make this a particularly noteworthy championship award and one of the most significant of all baseball jewelry items. Mint condition. Size: Approximately 8.75. Reserve $10,000. Estimate $25,000+. SOLD FOR $58,750