Auction Item Details
Lot 910
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Lot Number: 910
Description: New York Yankees professional model baseball hat attributed to Mickey Mantle c.1955-65. Original navy blue hat with interlocking white "NY" logo on the front. Interior leather band retains its original Tim McAuliffe Inc. label (correct labeling for the referenced time period of 1955-65), along with "KM Pro" logo stamped into the leather. McAuliffe was the manufacturer of New York Yankees hats from 1948 through the mid-1960s. Specifically, this particular hat dates to the period between 1955 and 1965 as the NY logo differs from those on McAuliffe Yankees hats from 1949-54. Size stamping of 7 1/4 is also found impressed into the leather band alongside the KM Pro logo. Mantle is documented to have worn a size 7 1/4 hat as supported by several other known exemplars, two of which have direct provenance to Mantle. Mantle's uniform number "7" is written under the bill in period black marker and is also consistent with other previously documented exemplars from Mantle game worn Yankees hats. The black ink exhibits appropriate light "bleeding" to the edges retaining its original patination from aging and exposure to both the elements and perspiration. The hat remains in unaltered original condition showing evident game use including moderate 'buckling' to the interior leather headband from perspiration. Residue of perspiration and surface oxidation is also clearly visible under the bill of the hat with a pattern consistent with heavy use over several games. A frontal examination shows that the hat bill "breaks" from right to left. The direction of the "break" suggests its use by a person of right hand dominance. This break pattern is evident in numerous period images of Mickey Mantle (referenced in detail on the MEARS letter) wearing many different Yankees hats during the period of 1951-68. The hat was originally given to a Phillip Melkonian from the legendary Yankees equipment manager Pete Sheehy and descended within Melkonian's family. Along with Ruth, Gehrig, and DiMaggio, game used hats from Mickey Mantle are among the most desired of any Yankee player, with the offered example ranking as one of the finest to have been offered at auction. Includes LOA from MEARS Authentication, LOA from Lou Lampson, and letter of provenance from the Melkonian family: EX
Estimated Price: ($40,000.00-$50,000.00)
