This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 5/11/2001.
It almost seemed destined that Coca-Cola and sports would be linked in history. The very name of the drink that was founded in 1886 by an Atlanta druggist was coined by the druggist's bookkeeper, a man named Frank Robinson, and an early investor in the company was Ty Cobb. The drink became so wildly popular that the patent was worth $50 million by 1915, partly due to sales of the drink in ballparks where Coke was widely advertised. In the early 20th Century, Coca-Cola itself became a player in the game, when plants around the country began sponsoring baseball teams in industrial leagues. This fantastic 12-piece lot that depicts from head to toe the entire uniform worn by a Coca Cola catcher circa the 1910s shows how thorough the company was in outfitting its players. The centerpiece is a gray flannel, pinstriped uniform which in quality and eye appeal rivals any worn in the big leagues at the time. The uniform shirt is a 4-button pullover on which the name "Coca Cola's" is stitched in felt across the front and a "2" on the back. On the left sleeve is the famous Coca-Cola logo in red and white. The classic shirt also shows how hard the catcher played, with visible holes on the lower left and lower right and on the right sleeve, and traces of dirt and sweat around the neck. The knicker-length pants have shredding down the left side, and the gray and black team legging socks have a few rips as well. The other items include a 2-bar catcher's mask, chest protector, shin guards, knee protectors, upper leg padding, two protective metal cups and even a vintage athletic supporter that is attached to one of the metal cups and which comes with the original Johnson & Johnson "Safety & Comfort" Suspensory box). There is also a great catcher's mitt that has a rich deep brown color and a soft leather pocket, and a pair of beat-up spiked shoes, one of which is missing the shoelace. With the exception of the mitt, most items have substantial damage and plenty of battle scars, yet they have a character and beauty etched by time. The scope of history in this lot takes one's breath away and revives wondrous ghosts of baseball past.