LOT Old Heritage Auctions  /  2007 May Sports Sig. Auction #707  / 

19611

1940 Presentational Wristwatch from Joe DiMaggio

Currency:USD Category:Sports - Cards & Fan Shop Start Price:500.00 USD Estimated At:2,000.00 - 3,000.00 USD
1940 Presentational Wristwatch from Joe DiMaggio
<B>1940 Presentational Wristwatch from Joe DiMaggio to Lefty Gomez.</B></I> It's a little known fact that baseball demigod Joe DiMaggio, the idol of a generation of young baseball fans, had a baseball hero of his own. And that man was Lefty Gomez. Already a pinstriped veteran by the time young Joe arrived on the scene in 1936, Gomez took the Italian slugger under his wing and the two became the closest of friends over the seven seasons they shared a Bronx dugout. So in 1943, when Gomez was rather unceremoniously shipped off to the Washington Senators to play out the last season of his storied career, DiMaggio marked the solemn occasion with the presentation of this eighteen-karat gold watch engraved on verso, "To Vernon, Best Wishes, Joe DiMaggio." Later Gomez would return the kind sentiment, remarking, "I want to thank all my teammates who scored so many runs and Joe DiMaggio, who ran down so many of my mistakes." The "Impala" watch is missing its leather band but is otherwise in fine, fully-functioning condition. A letter of provenance from the consignor explains that the watch was given to his uncle, the Chief of Police in Hartford, Connecticut, by Gomez. Its status as a sad parting gift from one New York Yankees Hall of Famer to another places it in an elite realm of collectibility. Who will be the next man to assume curatorship of this important artifact?<BR><BR><b>Shipping:</b> Small Collectibles (<a target="_blank" href="http://www.heritageauctions.com/common/shipping.php">view shipping information</a>)
Sign In to Bookmark Lot