NEW YORK (ACNI) – On Saturday, Oct. 18, Manhattan auction house Guernsey’s will auction the Baker Collection, a grouping of historical documents pertaining to the New York Yankees and Yankee Stadium. The auction will be held at Madison Square Garden, and is a fitting tribute to the 85-year-old landmark home of the “Bronx Bombers,” who will move into their new ballpark across the street for the 2009 Major League baseball season. The blue-lettered sign spelling out “New York Yankees” will be hoisted into place by crane today, at Gate 4, 161st Street and Jerome Avenue in the Bronx.
Guernsey’s auction includes 160 architectural drawings from which Yankee Stadium was constructed; the building was officially opened on April 18, 1923. Other auction highlights include the actual insurance policy the Yankees took out to protect the well being of legendary sluggers Lou Gehrig and Babe Ruth.
The sale lineup also features a number of Yankees World Championship rings, a baseball given by Don Larsen to a photo editor on the day his perfect game, and many unique items signed, worn or used by Ruth, Gehrig, DiMaggio and Mantle. The Yankees’ archenemy, the Boston Red Sox, is represented in the sale by the World Series Trophy they won in 1912 against the New York Giants.
The auction will start at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18. Previewing is available on Friday, Oct. 17 from noon to 9 p.m. and Saturday, Oct. 18 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Madison Square Garden is located at the corner of Seventh Avenue and 32nd Street in New York City.
A handsome catalog will be available for $28 postpaid. In addition to on-site bidding, the sale will feature absentee, telephone and live Internet bidding. For additional information, call Guernsey’s at 212-794-2280 or email stadium@guernseys.com. Visit Guernsey’s Web site at www.guernseys.com.
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