This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/11/2001.
The Duke of Flatbush was turned into the King of Kyoto for a few days in 1956 when the NL champion Brooklyn Dodgers made a 5-week goodwill tour of Japan after their World Series loss to the New York Yankees. Given royal treatment by Japanese officials during the tour, each Dodger player was presented with various gifts and mementos including traditional kimonos such as this one given to Hall of Fame centerfielder Duke Snider. Embroidered onto the front of the kimono are two baseballs and underneath these are Japanese writing, and on the bottom of the front is a nice floral pattern. Embroidered onto the back of the kimono is the "Dodgers" logo in white and a "B" in orange. The kimono and embroidery are in excellent condition. Accompanying this item is a letter from Snider which details how and when it was given to him.