MARK OF SCRIBNER & LOEHR CO., CLEVELAND, OHIO, CIRCA 1914

Period news articles confirm that the trophy was given to 'Shoeless' Joe Jackson (1887-1951) by Jean Bedini who was a juggler, producer, and comedian for a troupe of entertainers in the 1910-20 period. He had a travelling show that included all manner of entertainment and were very popular during that time. Bendini is famous for giving Eddie Cantor his start in show business. The present trophy was to recognize Jackson outdueling his rival of the day, Ty Cobb (1886-1961), during a series of games played against the Detroit Tigers 2-4 May 1914. Jackson undoubtedly outperformed Cobb in that series, collecting 7 hits in 13 AB's with a double and two triples. One of Jackson's hits reached the top of the 45 foot fence in right field, almost going out. Sam Crawford returned it, holding Joe to only a single. As referenced at the time in a period publication: "General Joe Jackson by getting more hits than any other Nap player during the Tiger series wins a silver cup offered by Jean Bedini of the Mischief Makers, playing at the Empire Theater. The cup will be presented this evening during the performance." The present lot was captured for history in a circa 1917 photograph by Paul Thompson showing Jackson holding this trophy as well as the other trophy on offer in the present sale, which was sold at Hunt Auctions, Exton, Pennsylvania, 25 March 2017, lot 441.
Over 100 years after his controversial banishment from Major League Baseball, Joe Jackson remains one of the most revered and yet mysterious figures in the history of the game. Artifacts with direct provenance to Jackson number in the single digits with very few ever becoming available to the public. The present trophy and its companion within this auction are being presented for the first time publicly.