Folk art at its finest hits the block with this 1951 Baltimore Orioles baseball, painted by renowned artist Doc Werner. Competing in the AAA International League, the Orioles ace in 1951 was Karl Drews, who led the team in wins with 17. Drews and his battery mate for the first half of the season, catcher Ferrell Anderson, are the featured subjects on the offered hand-painted ball. Artist Werner has stylishly signed on the sweet spot, between an image of Drews on the north panel, and Anderson on the south panel. The east panel is graced with a classic rendering of the Orioles logo, topped with "The Bird" mascot, and the west panel is dated "1951." A personalization on the reverse sweet spot indicates this ball was a presentation gift, however not enough of the name lettering remains to make an identification. Overall presentation is fantastic, with strong colors, and abundant authentic appeal. Steeped in tradition, baseball is woven into the fiber of America, and this spectacular folk art ball painted by a famed artist is truly a great treasure.

Opening Bid $150.