(LOT 78)
1930's "House of David" Game Worn Baseball Uniform – Letter of Provenance from the Helms Athletic Foundation//LA84 Collection
One of the most fascinating professional barnstorming baseball teams was the "House of David" ballclub that toured rural America from the 1920's thru the 1950's. This extremely rigid religious cult (formerly the Israelite House of David) was originally co-founded by Benjamin and Mary Purnell in Benton Harbor, Michigan in March 1903. A significant sports enthusiast, Purnell encouraged members of this religious society to play multiple sports to build both spiritual and physical discipline, with a "soft-spot" for America's favorite baseball pastime. One of the stern conditions of partaking on Purnell's baseball team was that the players were required to wear long hair and beards, with this stipulation continuing through the 1950's as the House of David competed against amateur and semi-pro teams across the country. During the 1920's, a handful of legendary MLB stars joined the House of David team for a "game or two" on off-days or simply after their grueling 154 game campaigns were complete in early October.

Some of the immortal Cooperstown Inductees who at one time or another donned a House of David uniform include Grover Cleveland Alexander, Mordecai "Three Fingered" Brown, Chief Bender, Negro Leagues icon Satchel Paige and even the incomparable George Herman "Babe" Ruth. Of course, even these ultra-respected stars had to either wear false beards or grow natural whiskers to partake in these games. Presented here is one of the more interesting lots we have ever offered the collecting community, a captivating 1930's House of David game worn baseball uniform that miraculously includes both the jersey and pants. A resounding testament for the prestigious House of David organization, both artifacts reflect gray/heavy wool material with blue pinstripes and blue trim on the collar and short sleeves. Of utmost significance, the blue House of David logo on left chest area remains completely intact and the white buttons appear to be all original. A "92" is sewn on the tag in collar, and the jersey reveals fine use while still depicting brilliant aesthetics.

The gray wool pants also include blue pinstripes and appear to have been somewhat shortened at the bottom. Similar to the aforementioned jersey, its period-style silver buttons likewise seem to be original, also including a "92" affixed to the tag that resides in back of the waistband. For ironclad authenticity, included is a full Letter of Provenance from the Helms Athletic Foundation/LA84 Collection, signed by their distinguished vice-president Wayne Wilson. While we may never know who truly wore this rogue 1930's uniform, the intriguing notion that one of the aforementioned Hall of Famers (or any MLB player for that matter) possibly sported it for a House of David game certainly places it as an extremely interesting collectible. Ultra-rare to say the least, its sheer existence stands as a vivid reminder of how this by-gone professional baseball organization took the country by storm for virtually a half-century, playing a seemingly infinite number of games against the finest competition in America!

MIN BID $500
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