Part 2, Ted Williams' ex-wife's estate to be sold May 30 Part 2 of the living estate of Dolores Wettach Wiliams -- the former high fashion model, actress and third wife of Hall of Fame baseball legend Ted Williams -- will be sold May 30 in West Swanzey, N.H
(WEST SWANZEY, N.H.) - Part II of the living estate of Dolores Wettach Williams – the former high-fashion model, actress and third wife of Hall of Fame baseball legend Ted Williams – will be sold at auction on Saturday, May 30, by Knotty Pine Auction Service, beginning at 11 a.m. The sale will be held at Knotty Pine's showroom, located at 787 West Swanzey Road in West Swanzey, N.H.
Part I of the estate was sold in November, also by Knotty Pine Auction Service. That event comprised period antique furniture, decorative accessories, original works of art, automobiles and more. Part II will feature personal effects, ephemera, photos, correspondence and memorabilia items relating to the couple, their family life and the storied careers of both Dolores and Ted Williams.
“This sale is a virtual treasure trove of memorabilia from one of America's biggest and most famous sports celebrity families,” said John Pappas of Knotty Pine Auction Service. “Dolores was a successful cover girl and professional model of the 1950s-1970s, and Ted, of course, was one of the greatest baseball players and sportsmen of all time. He was also a decorated fighter pilot in two wars.”
The auction will include hundreds of items from Dolores' home in Putney, Vt., which she shared with Ted during their six years of marriage, from 1967-1973. Lots will include designer clothing and accessories from her modeling career, items from her movie career and other personal effects. The Ted Williams memorabilia will include items from his playing and coaching careers, and post-career items.
Lots specific to Ted's baseball career will include balls and bats signed by him and other Hall of Fame players, obtained by Ted and family at various Hall of Fame induction ceremonies; a Red Sox team-signed baseball from the late 1960s; jackets, shirts and hats; a treasure trove of publicity photos, many showing Ted and other major sports figures of the day, some of them signed; and other items.
Williams was famously a member of three Halls of Fame: the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Military Aviation Hall of Fame and the International Game Fish Hall of Fame. Items relating to his fishing accomplishments will include hand-tied flies; fishermen's vests; a floppy hat and fishing license; a tournament model Ted Williams fly rod, with Flueger reel; some fishing photos; and more.
Military items will include a U.S. Marines plaque and a VFW Gold Medal of Merit Award. Books will include hunting and fishing books owned and signed by Ted, and a copy of his book The Science of Hitting, inscribed “Property of Ted Williams.” Many of the books had been presented by various authors to Ted, with signed presentations. Many have notes on the pages handwritten by Ted.
Original artwork will include an original acrylic on Masonite painting of Ted at bat, in the manner of LeRoy Neiman and dated 1960; a mixed media rendering of Ted by Robert Thompkins Handville; a pen-and-ink cartoon by legendary sports illustrator Willard Mullin, featuring Ted in the
