Before rings were given to World Series Champions, jewelry like this watch was awarded to the victors. This is the 1913 equivalent to the World Series ring and this one was presented to one of the stars of the team, Rube Oldring. Philadelphia soared to a 96-57 regular-season record to claim the American League pennant before taking down the New York Giants in a 5-game World Series. Oldring started 137 games in that 1913 season and all five in the playoffs. This stunning Howard pocket watch is 14 Karat gold and comes with the original box. Engraved on the back is a baseball diamond with the wording "World's Champions 1913," and when the back is opened the engraving of "Reuben N. Oldring" is revealed in flowing Old English lettering. It is in very nice condition (EX-MT) with the only flaws being a replaced crystal on the face and a damaged second hand on the dial. Though this needs a little TLC to get it to start keeping time again, we doubt that the winning bidder is going to chance carrying this precious gem in his or her pocket.

In Philadelphia, during the dead-ball era, Rube Oldring was a name known by all. He was a star player for the 1911 and 1913 World Champion Philadelphia Athletics. Both of those Championships are represented here in fine splendor. Even though he was never considered for the Baseball Hall of Fame, Oldring was a reliable and gritty player for Connie Mack’s A’s dynasty. After spending 14 years in the major leagues, Rube went on playing for and managing the Wilson team of the Virginia League to a Championship Pennant. Let us not forget that this is a time period when baseball players had to work during the winter months to provide for their families. Rube was no different as he worked long hours to provide and played as hard as humanly possible because he loved the game of baseball. After retirement from the game, he began farming for a living and spent his entire life in his native, Bridgeton, New Jersey. The relics and treasures presented here have remained in the Olding family until this day. This is the first family-authorized sale of any of the Oldring family’s belongings. Each lot will come with a letter from the family.