This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/15/2023
Hall of Famer Leo Durocher is credited with saying, "Nice guys finish last." Durocher didn't want to be a nice guy. He didn't want his St. Louis Cardinal teammates to be nice guys. He wanted to be a winner. The mid-1930s Cardinals became known as "The Gashouse Gang", a phrase that referred figuratively to being low-class and rowdy, and more literally, factories in economically challenged neighborhoods producing low-grade fuel that polluted the surrounding area. To play the role, the team often took to the field in dirty uniforms, sending a message to opponents that they were, in fact, not nice guys at all! Durocher was the heart and soul of the team, but the "dirty work" on the field came from the Dean brothers, Jerome and Paul, otherwise known as "Dizzy" and "Daffy." The siblings led the Cardinals to the World Series championship in 1934, allowing them to earn product endorsements like the rare circa 1934 Beech-Nut tobacco oversized die-cut advertising sign featured here. Touted as "a great chew", the piece shows the Dean brothers in uniform, posing with baseballs in hand at the forefront of a die-cut baseball mitt and a box of the chewing tobacco product. Measuring approximately 37 1/4" x 48" in frame, the piece shows some wear, creasing, and an area in the glove with some minimal missing stock which is to be expected of a piece approaching its 90th birthday, however, the color and the majesty of the image are well-maintained. The item does have some very minor restoration in the form of general cleanup and cleaning. We are not aware of any in-painting on the item which is furthered by the area in the glove which is presented in its original state. A wonderful piece of American history that celebrates one of the game's most popular squads that has survived the depression-era to land a new home with the winning bidder!