This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/1/2015
Southside fans will rejoice at this rare opportunity to own a game worn glove from one of Chicago’s greatest players.
Lucius Benjamin “Luke” Appling (1907-1991) was an all-star shortstop while playing his entire career with the Chicago White Sox. Nicknamed “Old Aches and Pains” due to his ailments and complaining, Appling started his career in 1930 and interrupted his career to serve in World War II in 1944 and 1945.
His best season was 1936, when he batted .388, knocked in 124 runs (his only 100-RBI season), scored 111 times, recorded 204 hits, and had a team-record 27-game hitting streak. His batting average was good for the first AL batting title won by a shortstop. It was the highest batting average recorded by a shortstop in the 20th century. He finished second in the AL Most Valuable Player voting and earned his first All-Star Game selection. He also turned a league-leading 119 double plays. Appling again won a batting title in 1940, batting .348 with a career high 13 triples.
Appling was adored by the fans. To illustrate this, after being refused by Sox ownership to provide him with baseballs to give autograph seekers, he purposely fouled off 10 straight pitches, supplying souvenirs to the fans he loved. He was never denied a request for a baseball again.
Originating from the estate of Luke Appling, this well-worn, Goldsmith manufactured glove fits the left hand for the righted handed throwing Appling. Supple and well broken in, judging by the use it appears to have been a favorite of Appling and used over the course of many season.
We dated the glove to the 1930-40 era due to the tunnel webbing. Gloves began to see a full web during the early 1940s. Although the manufactured tag is also well worn, comparison to known authentic Goldsmith examples confirms this was the manufactures label. Available images confirm Appling using this style of glove. Although without with any manufactures identifiers, the link to Appling is established by the letter supplied by his daughter. It reads:
Provenance: “To Whom It May Concern, The purpose of this letter is to verify and authenticate my father, Luke Appling’s baseball glove. He played with the Chicago White Sox his entire career, starting in 1930 and finishing in 1950. This glove is a glove that he used in the major leagues early in his career and he used it for several seasons. He batted .310 lifetime with 1,116 RBI’s. He led the league in batting in 1936 hitting .388 and in 1943 hitting .328. He was inducted in the baseball Hall of Fame in 1964. Signed Linda Appling Sumpter”.
Direct from a family source, bid with confidence knowing this glove was once owned by Luke Appling and judging by the heavy wear, a longtime companions and favorite.
LOA Linda Appling Sumpter / Troy R. Kinunen / MEARS