Fall 2014 - Item detail
1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Series Ring - Issued to Red Patterson - The Man Who Officially Announced That the Dodgers Were Moving From Brooklyn!
- Sold For:
- $30,000
- Year:
- 1955
- Auction:
- 2014 Fall
- Lot #:
- 13
- Category:
- Featured
Offered here is perhaps the greatest souvenir a Brooklyn Dodgers collector could ever hope to obtain: a 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Series ring in its original presentation box. This particular ring was issued to Arthur E. "Red" Patterson, who, as the club's public-relations director, shocked the world on October 8, 1957, by officially announcing that the Dodgers were leaving Brooklyn and moving to Los Angeles. The world has never been the same since. The 14k white gold ring, manufactured by Dieges & Clust, has a single diamond set upon a blue stone on top. The lettering around the bezel reads "Brooklyn World Champions." The left shank displays the word "First" above a globe design reading "Dodgers" in blue script lettering. The year, "1955," appears below the globe . The right shank features a crossed bats-and-ball design with the name "A. E. Red Patterson" scripted in blue on the ball. Below the design is the letter "B." Both "Dieges & Clust," and "14 Karat" are engraved on the interior band. In Near Mint condition. Ideally, the ring is accompanied by its original Dieges & Clust presentation box. The blue box (2.25 x 2.25 x 2.25 inches) reads " Brooklyn Dodgers World Champions 1955" in gilt-stamped lettering on the top of the lid and features the company name on the interior. In Excellent condition overall. This ring was originally obtained from Patterson's son, who has provided an accompanying one-page handwritten LOA, dated 3/24/93, attesting to its provenance.
1955, of course, was the only season in which the familiar refrain of "Wait till Next Year," was never heard on the streets of Brooklyn following the World Series. In 1955 "next year' finally came, and the fact that the club's only World Championship while in Brooklyn came at the expense of their hated crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees, must have made the victory all the sweeter for the Flatbush faithful. Ironically, "Red" Patterson had close ties to both clubs. Patterson was the New York Yankees first public-relations director and the Brooklyn Dodgers last public-relations director. During his tenure with both clubs he was recognized as one of the game's most innovative marketing specialists and is credited with introducing many novel concepts which are now considered standard for all clubs, including Old Timers' Day games, team yearbooks, and concession stands. Patterson also invented the term "tape-measure home run" when he decided to measure the distance of Mantle's prodigious home run at Washington's Griffith Stadium on April 17, 1953, arriving at the figure of 565 feet. Unfortunately, it was Patterson, in his capacity as public-relations director, who had to make the official announcement in 1957 that the Dodgers were leaving Brooklyn, thereby breaking the collective heart of all of the Flatbush faithful.
Like the 1927 Yankees, the 1955 Dodgers are one of baseball's "magic teams." 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Series rings are among the most desirable of all Championship rings for many reasons, including nostalgia, the historic significance of the victory, and the unique relationship the ball club enjoyed with its community. Unfortunately for collectors, they are also among the rarest of all World Series rings. Few have survived and they are very seldom seen at public auction. This is a magnificent opportunity to own an extraordinary example of one of baseball's true prizes from the golden age of New York City baseball. Size: approximately 10.75. Weight: approximately 35 grams.
From the PJS Collection. SOLD FOR $30,000
1955, of course, was the only season in which the familiar refrain of "Wait till Next Year," was never heard on the streets of Brooklyn following the World Series. In 1955 "next year' finally came, and the fact that the club's only World Championship while in Brooklyn came at the expense of their hated crosstown rivals, the New York Yankees, must have made the victory all the sweeter for the Flatbush faithful. Ironically, "Red" Patterson had close ties to both clubs. Patterson was the New York Yankees first public-relations director and the Brooklyn Dodgers last public-relations director. During his tenure with both clubs he was recognized as one of the game's most innovative marketing specialists and is credited with introducing many novel concepts which are now considered standard for all clubs, including Old Timers' Day games, team yearbooks, and concession stands. Patterson also invented the term "tape-measure home run" when he decided to measure the distance of Mantle's prodigious home run at Washington's Griffith Stadium on April 17, 1953, arriving at the figure of 565 feet. Unfortunately, it was Patterson, in his capacity as public-relations director, who had to make the official announcement in 1957 that the Dodgers were leaving Brooklyn, thereby breaking the collective heart of all of the Flatbush faithful.
Like the 1927 Yankees, the 1955 Dodgers are one of baseball's "magic teams." 1955 Brooklyn Dodgers World Series rings are among the most desirable of all Championship rings for many reasons, including nostalgia, the historic significance of the victory, and the unique relationship the ball club enjoyed with its community. Unfortunately for collectors, they are also among the rarest of all World Series rings. Few have survived and they are very seldom seen at public auction. This is a magnificent opportunity to own an extraordinary example of one of baseball's true prizes from the golden age of New York City baseball. Size: approximately 10.75. Weight: approximately 35 grams.
From the PJS Collection. SOLD FOR $30,000