The year began with the sudden death of former President Theodore Roosevelt. World War I formally ended with the signing of the Treaty of Versailles. An act of Congress established most of the Grand Canyon as a National Park. In the World Series, the Cincinnati Reds defeated the Chicago White Sox. The thoroughbred colt Sir Barton became the first winner of what would come to be known as the Triple Crown. Master Tom, a prototype of Felix the Cat, debuted in Pat Sullivan’s silent animated short Feline Follies. Harry Houdini starred in The Grim Game (below), about a gang of men who frame Harvey Hanford (Houdini) for murder.
ART GLASS
Luxury glassware created by French designer René Lalique (1860-1945) helped define the aesthetics of the Art Nouveau and Art Deco movements. This electric blue glass “Perruches” vase, circa 1919, realized $27,500 at a November 2012 Heritage auction.
TIMEPIECE
Howard & Co. traces its roots to 1858. The timepiece company was sold to the Keystone Watch Case Co. in the early 1900s, with only a limited number of watches made between 1903 and 1927. This Edward Howard Gold Pocket Watch with original box and license, circa 1919, sold for $13,125 in May 2014.
SPORTS
The 1919 Chicago White Sox are forever linked to the Black Sox Scandal, in which players were accused of throwing the World Series. “I never did anything I regretted so much in my life,” pitcher Eddie Cicotte (1884-1969) would say. A payroll check issued to Cicotte for $426.25 a month before that World Series sold for $13,145 at a November 2010 Heritage auction.
DECORATIVE ART
The nation was in mourning at the passing of Theodore Roosevelt, who had died in his sleep. A bronze bust of the nation’s 26th president, by American sculptor William Ordray Partridge (1861-1930), realized $26,290 at an April 2007 Heritage auction.