October Legends Closing November 1
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/2/2014
Born in Hancock, New York on October 2, 1891, Eddie Murphy was raised in White Mills, PA where his parents operated a hotel. The hotel is long gone, but the ball field behind it has continued for over a century, the site of untold number of games. It was here that young Eddie Murphy learned to play ball. He was a catcher for the White Mills team in 1907, and beginning in 1909, was a catcher-first baseman for the Honesdale town team for three years. Less than three years after playing for Honesdale, he became the regular right fielder and lead-off batter for the Philadelphia Athletics, owned and managed by Connie Mack.
Murphy played in the 1912 Athletics World Series Championship team, and was also a member of the 1914 Athletics team which lost to the Miracle Braves in the World Series. A few years later, Murphy was a member of the 1919 Black Sox team, where he earned his nickname Honest Eddie.
John Christian Dorflinger, the manager of Eddie Murphy’s White Mills team back in 1907-08, worked at C. Dorflinger & Sons Glass Manufacturing Company in White Mills, PA. When Murphy made good by being on the 1913 American League Champion Philadelphia Athletics, John and others at the Dorflinger plant wanted to honor the local diamond star that had made good in the big leagues. In fact, it was not unusual in the early 20th century for native sons—even adopted ones—to be honored by their home towns when they achieved success in the major leagues. A player on a World Series championship team often received a parade, banquet, and award when he returned home. Eddie Murphy received many local accolades including this glass bat. With the glass bat completed, John Dorflinger and Tom Gill—a bookkeeper for C. Dorflinger & Sons—took the train to Philadelphia on October 7, 1913, to present the bat to Eddie Murphy the next day. The Athletics were scheduled against the Giants in Philadelphia on October 8th to play the second game of the World Series. Originally, the bat was to be presented by Pennsylvania Governor John K. Tener, who was expected to attend the World Series game. Official duties, however, kept Tener in the state capitol that day, so Dorflinger and Gill decided to make the presentation to Murphy themselves.
Eddie Murphy received the glass bat from Dorflinger and Gill prior to Game 2 of the 1913 World Series played at Shibe Park. This unique bat was then loaned to Wanamaker & Sons department store on display for a year and was displayed at Corning Glass Museum in Corning, NY until it was consigned to Goldin Auctions.
The 29 inch bat weighs approximately 14 pounds, and is ornate as one would suspect a bat produced in this time period. The piece is blown lead glass that was then cut with a cutting wheel to create the design. The bat is a one of a kind.
Donated in the 1990s by the Murphy family to the Corning Glass Museum, it is now available of the first time at auction. This item is one of several items consigned directly by Eddie Murphy’s descendants, and is literally the only known World Series presentation bat ever created. Near Mint to Mint condition. Comes with an LOA from the Grandson of Honest Eddie Murphy, Edward Murphy, confirming it has been in family possession since it was awarded.