Lot # 1370: Rare 1927 Walter Johnson Souvenir Ribbon Pin "I Saw Walter Pitch The First Game" in 1907

Scarce commemorative silk ribbon pin issued by the Washington Senators in 1927 to commemorate Walter Johnson's twentieth anniversary with the team. The future Hall of Famer celebrated two decades of service with the same team, a rarity then and still to this day. The Senators devised a plan to honor the star pitcher as well as loyal fans who had enjoyed watching him play since 1907. According to Johnson's biographer and grandson, Henry Thomas, the celebration was originally intended to be a pregame ceremony for a limited group of fans. On the day of the event, countless fans showed up to participate, even though they did not meet the criteria of having been in attendance during that first game twenty years earlier. The Senators opted to cancel the festivities, and a dutiful Johnson sent letters of apology, along with this commemorative ribbon, to the small group of fans who legitimately had the distinction of seeing Johnson pitch for twenty years. Measuring 4.5 x 2.25 inches, the silk ribbon features blue text against a cream-colored background, with "1927" and "1907" flanking the text "I Saw Walter Pitch the First Game." A small pin is situated along the top border and has poked through the ribbon surface. A small tear is present in the lower left along with minor fraying in the bottom right. This is a scarce and desirable collectible related to the "Big Train" that was produced in limited quantities and is one of only a few we have seen survive to this day!