Hats Off to Babe Ruth, Whose Super-Rare 1934 Game-Used Tour of Japan Cap Crowns a Stellar Lineup of Sports Treasures to Be Auctioned December 17

Also featured: 1937 rookie-era DiMaggio game-worn cap, Jordan's earliest known game-used college sneakers with full documentation

News provided by

Grey Flannel Auctions

Dec 05, 2014, 08:30 ET

WESTHAMPTON, N.Y., Dec. 5, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- The VIP hat rack is full at Grey Flannel Auctions' December 17 Holiday Auction, and you wouldn't believe whose caps are displayed side-by-side – none other than New York Yankee immortals Babe Ruth and Joe DiMaggio.

"It's totally coincidental that two of the rarest and most coveted baseball caps of all time found their way to the same auction, but it's our good fortune that they did. We're tremendously proud to be offering these unique items to collectors," said Richard E. Russek, president of Grey Flannel Auctions.

Baseball cap game-used by Babe Ruth during the historic 1934 Tour of Japan. $50,000 reserve. Grey Flannel Auctions image

Michael Jordan's University of North Carolina Tar Heels 'Freshman Year' game-used and autographed sneakers. $5,000 reserve. Grey Flannel Auctions image

The game-used Babe Ruth cap, which was sourced from the Ruth family more than 30 years ago, is the only one known that was worn by the Bambino during his 1934 Tour of Japan, after leaving the Yankees. The upcoming auction marks the first time the Ruth cap from that legendary barnstorming baseball tour has ever come to auction.

"The 1934 tour made headlines around the world," said Russek. "Nearly half a million Japanese fans lined the streets of Tokyo to welcome the great former Yankee ballplayer, who rode through the Ginza district an open-top limousine. He and his teammates stayed in Japan for a month and played 18 exhibition games against Japanese players in 12 cities. That tour was a chapter in baseball history all on its own."

The cap has "US" embroidered on the front, and inside the sweatband, the name "Babe Ruth" is embroidered in chain stitching. The cap is accompanied by a letter of authenticity from the consignor, who was close friends with a prominent person in the Babe Ruth Baseball Little League organization, who in turn had obtained it directly from the Ruth family. The minimum bid on the cap is $50,000.

A circa-1937 rookie-era Yankees cap that was game-used by the great Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio, is entered as Lot 635. The extremely rare navy blue wool cap with NY logo is in beautiful, all-original condition. Embroidered inside the sweatband is "7 J. DiMaggio." The consignor's family has owned and treasured the DiMaggio cap since the day the legendary slugger took it off his head and handed it to them. The auction reserve is $25,000.

Additional auction highlights include:

Lot #4 – a 1932 New York Yankees baseball team-signed by arguably the best hitting lineup ever assembled. Ten Hall of Fame inductees signed, including Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Reserve: $5,000.

Lot #17 – Derek Jeter's game-used, autographed home pinstripe jersey from a milestone game where he recorded his 3,110th hit, tying childhood idol, Dave Winfield. Reserve: $2,500.

Lot #62 – Gary Carter signed, game-used homerun baseball from Game 4 of the 1986 World Series. Reserve: $2,500.

Lot #314 – Extremely rare official program from the 1924 World's Colored Championship, which was the first Negro League World Series. Reserve: $2,500.

Lot #357 – Arnold Palmer's Masters Tournament-worn monogrammed sweater from his final major victory, in 1964. Reserve: $5,000.

Lot #410 – Future first-ballot Hall of Fame inductee Peyton Manning's game-used Denver Broncos road jersey. Reserve: $2,500.

Lot #500 – Michael Jordan's University of North Carolina Tar Heels "Freshman Year" game-used, autographed sneakers. Reserve: $5,000.

Lot #633 – Circa 1980s Julius "Dr. J" Erving Philadelphia 76ers game-used uniform with direct provenance from Dr J. Reserve: $5,000.

Auction bidding will close on December 17. The fully illustrated online catalog can be viewed at www.GreyFlannelAuctions.com. Tel. 631-288-7800, ext. 223; [email protected].

Media Contact: Michael Russek, 631-288-7800, ext. 223

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141205/162539
Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20141205/162538

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SOURCE Grey Flannel Auctions