Lot # 1045: Joseph Lannin Signed 1913 Boston Red Sox Stock Certificates (2) for Transfer Sale to Harry Frazee and Hugh Ward

Witness the foundation for the "Curse of the Bambino", with the examination of these (2) Joseph Lannin signed 1913 Boston Red Sox stock certificates. As sole owner of the Red Sox from 1914-1916, Lannin has World Series championships in 1914 and 1916 to his credit, and he was in also in charge when Babe Ruth was acquired from the Baltimore Orioles in 1914.

A shrewd businessman, Lannin sold the Sox to theatrical business partners Harry Frazee and Hugh Ward, shortly after the conclusion of the 1916 World Series. The Frazee-Ward partnership is notorious for having sold Ruth to the New York Yankees after the 1919 season, so they could pump finances into a Broadway show production. An eighty-five season championship drought for the Red Sox followed, with their long-suffering fans blaming the sale of Ruth as a severe punishment curse from the gods of baseball.

As part of the 1916 Red Sox sale, these $100 stock certificates were transferred to Frazee and Ward. The obverse records the original 1913 purchase by Lannin, with the signatures of former owner John Taylor and treasurer Robert McRoy crossed out at bottom. Both certificates are dated November 1, 1916 on the back for transfer of ownership, with one certificate made to Frazee and the other made to Ward. Lannin has signed boldly and elegantly on the back of each certificate.

Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA.