This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2003.
Few catchers were as exceptional defensively as Elston Howard. Howard's use of a new hinged catcher's mitt led to the one-handed catching technique we take for granted today, and his .993 fielding percentage is one of the best the game has ever seen. It is only fitting that Howard was awarded this Gold Glove in 1963. The award features three items mounted on a wood base: the gold catcher's glove itself, a wood baseball diamond, and a gold baseball. On the diamond is a gold plaque engraved with "Rawlings Gold Glove Award" and a picture of a baseball diamond. Engraved in the Rawlings glove is "Gold Glove Series." There is a gold plate attached to the wood base with the engraving "Catcher - Elston Howard - 1st Award 19 New York Yankees 63 American League All-Star Fielding Team." The award has been preserved well and is in near mint condition. Elston gave his original 1963 Gold Glove to a family friend, which cannot be located, and his wife Arlene contacted Rawlings and had another one issued to replace the original. It comes to us directly from Howard's wife Arlene.