This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
In 1934, manager Connie Mack led a very select group of the best players in the Major Leagues on a tour of Japan, arranged by then commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis. The American ball players were very well received as almost 200,000 fans turned out to see the likes of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmy Foxx play just four games against some of the country's best amateur players. Presented to Lou Gehrig during this tour of Japan, this spectacular robe looks more like a presentation piece to an Emperor than a baseball player. The full-length black silk robe has a Japanese symbol on each shoulder and is lined on the edges in red. On the red edges are unidentified Japanese characters. On the inside is "Imperial Hotel" in English across the back with a rendering of the hotel beneath the words. The robe is in excellent overall condition with light discoloration to the inside and separation at the collar. The robe was owned by the Gehrig family before its current owner. Accompanying this piece is a letter to George Steinbrenner from the owner.