HONUS WAGNER PRESENTATION WATCH APPRAISAL
In the October 14th, 2016 edition of the Detroit News, there was an appraisal done by DuMouchelles Auction Gallery in Detroit for a 1930's era Bulova Presentation Wristwatch. The inscription reads "To Honus Wagner From the Boys of Greenwich Village".
The history of the wristwatch is unknown to the owner and was not found by the appraiser.
Hall of Famer Wagner retired as a player in 1917. He was a coach for the Pittsburgh Pirates during the 1930's and there appeared to be no known link to Greenwich Village (New York).
I believe I may have the watches' origin.
The Huron Baseball Club of Greenwich Village planned and held a "Honus Wagner Day" at The New York Giants' Polo Grounds in New York on May 22, 1938. Apparently, Wagner had done a favor for the baseball club at some time and they were staging a day for the ex fellow National Leaguer on the first visit of the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Polo Grounds in 1938. The arrangement committee included: John J Quinn Chairman; Jimmy Walker, former Mayor of New York; Sheriff Finn; Jack LaRocca, Pitcher of the New York Yankees; Mike Meola, pitcher of the Toronto Club, Gene Tunney, Former Heavyweight Boxing Champion; Jimmy Powers, New York Daily News; Hugh Bradley, New York Evening Post; Thomas Lynch, M. Murphy, Harold Neary and others. So, it was no small affair.
It is completely plausible that the presentation wristwatch in this article was given to Wagner by the "Boys of Greenwich Village" during "Honus Wagner Day"
DuMouchelles appraised the wristwatch at $1,000-2,000 and up and I agree with this figure. Wagner items AFTER his playing days are not as desirable as playing day collectibles. The wristwatch is also not given by a major league entity (Such as from the Pittsburgh Pirates or the Baseball Hall of Fame). However, a personal item potentially owned by the Hall of Famer will be desirable to Wagner collectors. NOTE: Without true provenance, there will be some trepidation from potential buyers/bidders.
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