Ah, the World Series! While its luster hasn’t waned in the least more than a century after its inception, the spectacular showdowns have identities and lives of their own. Issued at Ebbets Field during the 1916 Fall Classic, this program is a scarce and historically significant publication representing two storied franchises. The 12-page guide features a colorful likeness of Dodgers skipper Wilbert Robinson on the front cover. Of note is a printed notice in which a New York City automobile dealer promised Robinson a Chalmers car if his Dodgers could beat their Boston counterparts in four straight! While the cover is detached, the crisp pages are secure and feature scorecards with pre-printed lineups and unmarked grids, as well as a Red Sox team photo with Babe Ruth. This item has a reserve (estimated value: $1000-$1800).

The program was issued for either Game 3 or Game 4, as the other contests were held at Braves Field (which had a larger capacity than the Red Sox’ new Fenway Park venue). Long-since established as a perennial champion during his playing days with the 1890s Orioles, Robinson remained a revered figure. A printed description below his front cover image tells it all: “Robbie – A regular manager, a regular fellow, and a credit to the national game.”

The guide is rife with baseball nuggets, including a likeness of Babe Ruth, who is seated in the front row in the Red Sox team photo on page 9.

Chalmers, meanwhile, had already found itself unwittingly in the eye of a controversial storm just six years prior when a battling race between Ty Cobb and Napoleon Lajoie was “rigged” by participants on the final day of the season. On this program, however, the makers of Chalmers had nothing to do with the “promotion.” Prominent New York City dealer C.T. Silver took it upon themselves to promise Robinson a Chalmers model “If the Brooklyn Nationals beat the Boston Americans the first four games.” Well, following Boston wins in each of the first two games (which both occurred before this program was issued), the conditions were altered. A visible line was printed over the words “the first four games” and a period stamping that reads “FOUR STRAIGHT GAMES” let fans know that the offer still stood!