1907 Ribbon Pin of the 1896 World Champion Baltimore Orioles

Sold For:

$7,800

Year:

1907

Auction:

2024 January

Lot #:

2777

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Rare ribbon pin issued in 1907 to commemorate the 1896 World Champion Baltimore Orioles. The pin features a beautiful team photo of the Orioles, including Hall of Famers John McGraw, Wilbert Robinson, Joe Kelley, manager Ned Hanlon, Hughie Jennings, and Willie Keeler. The text above the image reads "Our Old Champions," while the caption below identifies the team and year, "Champions of '96/Baltimore Base Ball Club." Attached to the pin is a gold ribbon lettered "Maryland/Home-Coming/Week/Oct. 13-19, 1907." The city of Baltimore enjoyed a rich baseball history and had hosted a Major League club every year beginning in 1883. In 1903; however, American League president Ban Johnson transferred the Orioles to New York, leaving baseball fans despondent over the loss. In 1907 it appears the Baltimore faithful still harbored fond memories of their former World Champion Baltimore Orioles, choosing to honor them once again on this attractive ribbon pin. This pin, which is seldom found with its original ribbon, is the first complete example we have handled and just the third we have seen. Baltimore captured its third consecutive National League pennant in 1896 and then continued its success in the postseason by sweeping the Cleveland Spiders four games to none in the Temple Cup. (The Temple Cup matched the National League's first and second-place finishers in a best-of-seven postseason series to determine the World Champions.) The pin (1.75 inches in diameter is Excellent to Mint in its overall appearance and comes complete with its original paper backing (lettered "Made by Hyatt M'F'G Co. Balto. MD. Badges & Buttons of All Kinds"). The yellow ribbon (5 inches in length) features a small button that displays the Maryland coat of arms. This is a rare and exceptionally attractive ribbon pin commemorating one of the most legendary World Championship clubs of the nineteenth century. Opening Bid $10.