This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 7/8/2004.
In 1905, Charles Ebbets, the new owner of the Brooklyn Dodgers, began to buy up parcels of land in the slums of Brooklyn with the dream of building his ball club a new stadium. By 1912 he had procured enough land to do so and construction began on March 14 of that year. The new home was named Ebbets Field, after it's owner, and opened to the public on April 9, 1913. Playing within its walls, the team became one of the most beloved in baseball history, winning nine pennants and the 1955 World Championship. Ebbets passed away in 1925 and Walter O'Malley, who had long provided legal counsel for him, assumed a controlling interest in the club. In 1957, he broke the hearts of millions of fans when he announced that the team would be moved across the country to California, an act for which he is thought of by many as one of the great villains of the 20th century. This first base was the last one ever used by the Dodgers on September 24, 1957, when they defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates. It was presented as the top prize in a contest which took place in 1960 at "Joe's Restaurant" in Brooklyn. It comes with several documents including a copy of a letter from the contest winner to Gil Hodges in which he offers it to him, and a copy of Hodges handwritten response. Paramount to those are the signatures that are on the base itself, which include Marvin Kratter (owner of Ebbets Field who leased it to the team for their use during the 57 season), Abe Stark (who's "Hit Sign, Win Suit" advertisement was a familiar sight in the outfield for years), Ben Gould (a reporter from the Brooklyn Eagle), and former baseball players Tommy Helms and Johnny Murphy (signed twice). The base shows expected wear with a fantastic old time look to it and comes housed in a custom display box. Overall the piece measures 26" x 26." The signatures are done in black marker and rate from 5 to 8. The autographs come with a letter from PSA/DNA.