Sports Memorabilia

"Junior" Jim Gilliam

Lot 336
1953 World Series Program. 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers/New York Yankees World Series Official Program. Celebrating the Golden Anniversary of the World Series, this program includes lineups with bios, information about the series and the kind of advertising usually associated with sporting events (alcohol, cigarettes and dress shirts). There is some edge wear and toning to the cover, along with a couple of ragged corners, but this remains a great memento of one of the biggest baseball rivalries of the 1950s.
Estimated Value $100-150.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Bums No More!

Lot 337
1955 Brooklyn Dodgers Championship Ring. The ecstasy and pandemonium that erupted in Brooklyn when Gil Hodges caught Pee Wee Reese's throw in the ninth inning of the seventh game of the 1955 World Series was likened to V-J Day and the biggest block party ever. Older fans who had waited 39 years for a Championship finally had it, and the kids who played ball while pretending they were Reese, Snider, Gilliam, Robinson, Podres or any other Dodger, got the biggest, most unforgettable gift of their young lives. The loyalty of the Bums' fans was rewarded in a big way that October 4 and we are delighted to offer one of the finest (and scarcest) mementos of that unforgettable day.

This Brooklyn Dodgers World Champions ring is decorated with diamonds and shows the gentle wear one would expect from years of being on the hand of Number 19. One shank is emblazoned with the word "FIRST 1955" and the other bears a facsimile signature "Junior Gilliam" and the distinctive "B" logo of the Dodgers. The size and substantial weight of this beautiful ring emphasizes the mythical quality of the 1955 Dodgers' win -- the only Championship they won in Brooklyn -- and is an outstanding piece for the fan or collector.
Estimated Value $20,000-UP.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Lot 338
1959 Dodger World Championship Ring. After a disastrous 1958 season crushed the hopes of Los Angeles fans eager for a seamless transition for the boys from Brooklyn, the Dodger's victory over Milwaukee in the 1959 division championship bolstered hopes for Series success. In the first World Series played west of St. Louis, the games in Los Angeles set baseball attendance records, with the cavernous Coliseum hosting well over 92,000 people for each game. The Dodgers made up for 1958's disappointment with an exciting World Series, taking the series to six games before beating the White Sox in Chicago 9-3.
This ring, from the Dodger's second championship ever, has a picture of Los Angeles City Hall on one shank, bats and a baseball with Jim Gilliam's facsimile signature on the other and a diamond mounted on the face. There is minor wear on the shanks, but not very much (keep in mind, "Junior" Gilliam only had to wear this ring three years before the Dodgers won another one!), this piece is in very good to fine condition.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

1963 World Champions!

Lot 339
1963 Dodgers World Championship Ring. Commemorating the Dodger's amazing four game sweep of the Yankees, one of the biggest baseball surprises of the 1960s.
With Whitey Ford leading the Yankees and Sandy Koufax starting for the Dodgers, fans and players alike knew they were in for a spectacular pitching battle, however no one expected the Dodgers to beat the American League-dominating Bronx Bombers in four straight games. Whitey Ford pitched two good games, but inability of the Yankees' vaunted hitters (including Mickey Mantle) to put numbers on the board in the face of a hot Dodger pitching staff (Koufax, Don Drysdale and Johnny Poudres) left the door open for Los Angeles' surprise sweep. The Series scores recorded on the side of the ring; 5--2, 4--1, 1--0 and 2--1, are a true indicator of the Dodger's pitching dominance. The Dodgers' bullpen helped out their pitchers by coming up with the plays to keep them in the game and Jim Gilliam's contributions included the only score in Game Three and the go-ahead score in Game Four.

The diamond in this ring has been replaced with a synthetic stone and there is a tiny ding at the bottom front, but the ring is in otherwise fine condition.
Estimated Value $2,500-3,500.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Lot 340
1963 World Series Commemorative Bowl. A 3½" tall silverplate and Dodger Blue enamel bowl issued by the Chrysler Corporation to participants in the 1963 Dodgers/Yankees World Series. Engraved "1963 WORLD SERIES / NEW YORK YANKEES AL / LOS ANGELES DODGERS NL" with the Chrysler trademark, additional engraving on bottom, presumably by Gilliam to identify the piece if it were stolen. There is minor tarnish to the outside and a handful of scratches; the enamel is chipped at various places at the lip of the bowl; overall, good condition.

A unique opportunity to own a player's memento from the great Dodger sweep of the Yankees.
Estimated Value $400-500.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Lot 341
1965 World Series Commemorative Bowl. A 3½" tall silverplate and Dodger Blue enamel bowl issued by the Chrysler Corporation to participants in the 1965 Dodgers/Twins World Series. Engraved "1965 WORLD SERIES / MINNESOTA TWINS AL / LOS ANGELES DODGERS NL" with the Chrysler trademark; additional engraving on bottom, presumably by Gilliam to identify the piece if it were stolen. There is minor tarnish to the outside and a handful of scratches; the enamel is chipped at various places at the lip of the bowl and there is one chip to the inside surface; overall, good condition. But for the inscription, this bowl is identical to the one pictured above.

The dramatic seven game 1965 World Series is commemorated here with a special player's bowl.
Estimated Value $400-500.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Lot 342
1977 and 1981 World Series Programs. Lot of two Yankee/Dodger World Series Programs, featuring a victory from each! The 1977 program (Gilliam's last Series) is in good condition except for some minor edge wear and a folded-over corner. The 1981 program (with notes by Mrs. Gilliam) is lacking its cover, but is in fine condition otherwise.
Estimated Value $50-75.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Lot 343
1978 World Series Program and Unused Tickets. 1978 World Series Program with some edge wear, an abrasion to the cover and a couple of loose pages, but otherwise in very good condition. The tickets are as follows: one unused and one used Game Three Playoff ticket and three tickets to Game Two of the World Series, with seats in the President's Box. Some age toning, but otherwise fine condition.
Tickets and a program to the 75th World Series are a nice collector's lot, but a poignant reminder of why Gilliam's family was unable to attend.
Estimated Value $75-UP.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Lot 344
1959 Yankee-Dodger Roy Campanella Game. 5" tall silverplate bowl issued to participants in the May 7, 1959, Dodger/Yankee game played to honor Roy Campanella. Minor pitting and a few scratches inside bowl, but the inscription is clear and strong. Overall, good to very good condition.

Following his tragic automobile accident, the Dodgers honored Roy Campanella during an exhibition game with the New York Yankees at the Los Angeles Coliseum on May 7, 1959. 93,105 fans attended -- still the baseball attendance record. Gilliam and Campanella were both veterans of the Baltimore Elite of the Negro League and had faced many of the same obstacles as black players in the newly integrated Major Leagues. Both remained dedicated to the Dodgers and their community after their playing days and are fondly remembered by fans and players alike.
Estimated Value $250-350.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Lot 345
1971 East West All-Stars. Glass and silverplate vessel commemorating the East West All-Stars at Riverfront Stadium, June 19, 1971. There is some tarnish and minor finish loss to the piece, but otherwise it is in good condition.
Estimated Value $150-250.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Lot 346
1974 National League Champions Ring. The 1974 Los Angeles Dodgers dominated the National League in runs scored, ERAs and wins. Steve Garvey, in his first full season, led the team offensively and Mike Marshall earned the Cy Young Award after setting a record with 106 appearances as a relief pitcher. The Dodgers crushed the Pittsburgh Pirates in the League Championship but were whipped by Oakland in the World Series.
The Dodger's famous linked LA device is picked out in diamonds on a blue stone field on the face of this ring, Gilliam's name, number and a Dodger logo are on one side and "1974" with a depiction of Dodger Stadium decorates the other side. A gentle cleaning would help restore this ring to its former glory, but it is in otherwise very good condition.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,500.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Lot 347
1977 National League Champions Pendant. Gold pendant with diamonds at home and the three bases and a blue stone in the center. "Dodgers / National League Champions" around outer edge of pendant. "Edwina Gilliam / 1977" engraved on back.
A personal memento from the last season Jim Gilliam completed with the Dodgers.
Estimated Value $500-600.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Lot 348
1977 National League Champions Ring. Under new manager Tom Lasorda and behind the hitting of Steve Garvey, the Dodgers dominated the National League the entire 1977 season and met Philadelphia in the Championship Series. After Philadelphia took the first game, the Dodgers came back and won the next three games, taking advantage of the Phillies' inability to capitalize on hits. Although the Yankees beat the Dodgers in the World Series, 1977 marked the beginning of a new era in Dodger ball.
A gorgeous National League Champions ring with Gilliam's name and number on one shank with a Dodger emblem and a depiction of the Dodger jet on the other (signifying an away win). A dark blue stone in the center of a baseball diamond is surrounded by four diamonds indicating the bases and home.
This is James Gilliam's last worn championship ring. His passing in October 1978, just as the Dodgers were getting ready to face the New York Yankees in the World Series, ended one of the longest and most memorable Dodger careers ever.
Estimated Value $1,500-2,500.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Lot 349
1977 Old Timers Game Bowl. Manufactured by Gorham, this 5¼" tall silver bowl features an affixed plaque commemorating the July 3, 1977 Old Timers Game, which featured the 1958 Dodgers against the 1958 Giants. Minor tarnish and a couple of pits on the bowl, otherwise very good condition.

Remembering the year the team moved to Los Angeles (the first game in LA was against the Giants), but let's forget 1958's seventh place finish.
Estimated Value $250-350.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Lot 350
1978 National League Champions Pendant. Inscribed "Edwina Gilliam" on the back, this pendant represents Jim Gilliam's last Championship season -- and the National League Championship series that the Dodgers won the day before his unexpected death. Gilliam suffered a cerebral hemorrhage on September 15 and went into a coma following surgery. The Dodgers dedicated their playoffs to Gilliam and, on his death October 8, 1978, dedicated their World Series games to him as well as retiring number 19 (one of only ten Dodger numbers retired).
The Dodger logo in gold on a blue stone with a diamond accent adorns this gold pendant.
Estimated Value $600-700.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Lot 351
1987 Number 19 Dodger Stadium Anniversary Ring. Silvertone ring with blue stone on face surrounded by "Los Angeles Dodgers". One shank has a depiction of Dodger Stadium and the 25th Anniversary Banner ("1962-1987") and the other has Gilliam's name and number engraved with the Dodger logo. Sized for a smaller finger than the World Series rings. Minor tarnish, fine condition.
Another wonderful memento remembering "Junior" Gilliam and his 26 year contribution to the Dodgers.
Estimated Value $500-600.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Lot 352
All-Star Signed Baseball. Baseball signed, presumably by members of the 1956 All-Star team, as the signatures we can make out include Stan Musial, Ted Kluszewski, Jim Gilliam and Bob Friend -- all teammates at that game. Many of the signatures are worn and slightly faded and a few are totally worn away. An interesting memento that must have been frequently handled by Gilliam.
Estimated Value $250-350.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.

Lot 353
No. 19's Cleats and ID Tags. Pair of Adidas M.V.P. metal cleats, size 10½. Black leather and laces and the white stripes have been blacked in with ink. "19" is marked on the tongue label of each shoe. Very good condition. Two plastic Dodger baseball motif tags with "19-1" and "19-2" on the verso. This lot is accompanied by an 8 x 10" black and white publicity still and a 3 x 5 signed ("Jim Gilliam") black and white postcard.

Possibly the last pair worn by Gilliam, these Adidas cleats and Dodger tags show very little wear and would be ideal for display.
Estimated Value $400-UP.
From the Estate of James "Junior" Gilliam.