Lot # 2336: 1946 and 1951 Brooklyn Dodgers Phantom World Series Program Pair

Two phantom World Series programs, produced in anticipation of the Dodgers' winning the National League pennant in 1946 and 1951. In 1946 and 1951 the Brooklyn Dodgers neared October with legitimate hopes of continuing to World Series play. We now know, of course, that in the eleventh hour in both of those seasons the Dodgers conceded the pennant to the Cardinals and the Giants, respectively. For both of those pennant races the necessary lead-time to produce Dodger World Series programs required the actual production of the World Series programs in anticipation of victory. The production run of each was destroyed when the Dodgers did not actually win the pennant, but a few examples escaped and were saved as souvenirs by those related to the team and the printers. These two examples are among the most sought-after of all phantom programs. Very few of these programs, each from a "World Series that never was," have survived as reminders of lost opportunity, and the heartache that was often experienced by loyal Brooklyn fans in the 1940s and 1950s. The 1946 program is in Good condition, with moderate handling wear to the covers, including a few creases, light staining, minor discoloration, and tears along the spine. The 1951 program is in Very Good condition, with minor edge tears and a small area of light discoloration on the back cover. Total: 2 programs.