Vintage New York Yankees Usher's Pinback Badge

Sold For:

$1,080

Year:

1930

Auction:

2015 Fall

Lot #:

1021

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Metal pinback badge, designed in the shape of a shield, lettered "Usher/Yankee Stadium/N. 2 Y." This is the very first example of this badge that we have personally ever seen let alone handled, and other than the self-explanatory information that is part of its design, we have no other knowledge regarding it except the following: We have seen one other example at auction: a near-identical badge, numbered "7," that appeared as Lot 608 in the July 17, 2015, Leland's auction (realized $4,421). In that catalog sale the auction house described it as "circa 1923" and also stated that it was "one of only two discovered." We cannot corroborate that dating, nor can we make any estimates as to how many other examples exist. The best we can do is reiterate that this is only the second we have ever seen, and reference the information provided at the sale of the only other example we have ever seen at auction. Apparently these badges were issued to and actually worn by ushers at Yankee Stadium, making this a very interesting as well as exceedingly rare souvenir from "The House that Ruth Built." The badge (2 x 2 inches) displays light wear and tarnishing. In Very Good to Excellent condition.   Reserve $500. Estimate (open).