20. c. 1917 “Hellfire Boys” Equipment Collection & Foot Locker w/Rare Ty Cobb Bats
As the United States prepared to enter World War 1 at the beginning of 1917, the country became galvanized behind the American war effort. Americans enlisted in the armed forces and registered for the draft, the military growing to more than 4 million. At home, Amer- icans began conserving, buying Liberty bonds, even turning their backyards into “victory gardens” to produce extra food. Washington Senators’ owner Clark Griffith demonstrated his patrio- tism through baseball, developing a plan to raise money to purchase enough athletic equipment to provide to every US military train- ing camp overseas. His idea was a great success, with teams collect- ing money for the war effort through Griffith’s “Bat and Ball Fund,” which ultimately supplied nearly $150,000 in athletic equipment to send to troops overseas. The effort was joined by Hillerich & Brads- by, the Knights of Columbus, Spalding, and the YMCA, who provided 144,000 bats and 80,000 baseballs with the funds raised by Griffith. The Knights of Columbus (known by troops as “Caseys” because of the “KC” patch on their sleeves) in 1918 sent Field Secretaries to France – led by Hall of Famer Johnny Evers – to dispense trunks of athletic equipment known as “war chests” and organize athletic events. While much of that equipment was ostensibly destroyed in the years
after the war, the occasional bat or baseball made its way back to the United States. Such equipment – including many player-endorsed models – are well-received by the hobby, tremendous documents of the early days of the National Pastime and its role in building morale among American servicemen. The equipment – often marked with a YMCA or KC brand or stamp – is highly sought-after, and infre- quently seen. Presented here is an astonishing new discovery, originating from an antique auction in France: a wooden footlocker, housing three catch- er’s masks, three chest protectors, and an amazing nine wooden bats of various sizes and weights. All amazingly well-preserved, they were discovered by our consignor, who purchased the auction lot and had it shipped to the States last year. The “War Chest” is a unique and interesting discovery in and of it- self. Measuring 41” x 17” x 16”, it is constructed entirely of wood, a coat of vintage stain applied to the outside. The antique hinges, clasps and handles are somewhat weakened with age, all exhibiting some level of oxidation and patina, and the side handles loose and delicate, slightly broken with age but still functional. Some chipping
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