Lot 11. Honus Wagner Vintage Fountain Pen Autograph. Desirable, early gem mint 10 signature of one of the 10-15 best baseball players of all time. The signature, on a 3” x 4” section of paper, is perfect for matting and framing. It would go well with the original Wagner wedding photo described immediately below. This is the finest Wagner autograph we have offered. Kevin Keating authenticated the signature.
Winning Bid $862
Lot 27. Roberto Clemente and Johnny Unitas Autographs. The Pittsburgh Pirates great and the Baltimore Colts superstar with a Pittsburgh connection signed an autograph album page at a sports event in York, Pa., in the 1960s. The orientation of their signatures is opposite; they are bold and intersect briefly. The 4.5” x 5.5” album page is signed also by Chuck Thompson (died 2005), the Baltimore Orioles and Colts broadcaster, and Floyd Peters (d. 2008), a Colts defensive tackle. The Clemente autograph could be separated and displayed as a signature cut with a small part of the Unitas autograph showing on “Cl.” Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $763
Lot 29. Pittsburgh Pirates 1956 Team-Signed Baseball Including “Bob” Clemente. The key signature among the 24 on this ONL Giles baseball is Roberto Clemente, in his break-out second season. Interestingly, a clubhouse signature of Bill Mazeroski shares the sweet spot with manager Bobby Bragan. Clemente’s autograph, as “Bob Clemente,” is at the top of the south panel; it is followed by autographs of George Munger, Frank Thomas, Bob Friend, Ronnie Kline, Fred Waters and Laurin Pepper. This form of the Clemente signature is uncommon; early in his career, the Pirates attempted to “Americanize” him and have him portrayed as less Latin than his origins. The north panel has the autographs of Bob Skinner, Eddie O’Brien, Dick Cole, Jack Shepard, Hank Foiles and ElRoy Face. The west panel holds the signatures of Dale Long, Jerry Lynch, Cholly Naranjo, Johnny O’Brien, Lee Walls and Dick Groat. Vernon Law, Nelson King and Bill Virdon signed the east panel. Eighteen autographs, including Clemente’s and Mazeroski’s, are ex-m 6 or nm 7. These signatures are clean, free of any bleeding or retraces. The autographs of Skinner, Cole, Foiles, Munger and King are light, ranging from vg 3 to ex 5. The nm ball is off-white with a scuff on “National” in the pre-printed area. The ball comes with a Letter of Authenticity from James Spence. Kevin Keating also authenticated the autographs.
Winning Bid $847
Lot 266. Roberto Clemente Autographed Baseball. Clemente’s signature is on the sweet spot of an unofficial Wilson Prep League baseball. It is smudge-free and light, with all letters readable. Vg-ex 4 to ex 5. Twelve other autographs are on the ball, which is ex-m and shows soiling. All of the signers were affiliated with the 1960 World Championship team. Other names visible, and lighter than Clemente’s, are Harvey Haddix, Joe Christopher, Frank Oceak, Bob Prince, Don Hoak, Dick Groat, Dick Stuart, Hal Smith ElRoy Face and Bob Skinner. Group-signed baseballs with Clemente on the sweet spot are uncommon.
Winning Bid $240
Lot 280. 62 Pittsburgh Pirates Autographs and 2 More on Vintage Team-Issued Postcards. These signatures generally are nm-m 8 or better. The postcards, both postmarked in 1951, are signed by Bob Friend and Bill Werle (died 2010). The index cards are signed on the unlined side unless otherwise noted: Vic Barnhart, Dale Berra, Kurt Bevacqua, Jim Bibby (d. 2010). Mike Bielecki (lined side), Steve Blass, Bobby Bragan (d. 2010), Chuck Brinkman (lined), Dave Cash, B. Dal Canton (return address), Con Dempsey (d. 2006), Zach Duke, Duffy Dyer, Mike Easler, Josh Fogg, Hank Foiles, Tim Foli, Jim Foor, Gene Freese, Jim Fregosi, Gene Garber, John Gelnar, Jim Gott, Tommy Gregg (pink card), Ross Grimsley (lined), Dick Groat, Neal Heaton, Richie Hebner, Kirby Higbe (d. 1985, return address with tape over it), John Hope, Johnny Hopp (d. 2003), Lee Howard (lined), Art Howe, Grant Jackson, Forrest V. “Spook” Jacobs (d. 2011), Nellie King (d. 2010), Ron Kline (d. 2002), Gary Kolb, Paul LaPalme (d. 2010), Don Leppert, Scott Little, Alberto Lois, Rich Loiselle, Al Lopez (HoF, d. 2005, pers.), Red Lucas (d. 1986, cut on an index card), Jerry Lynch, Sam McDowell, Cal McLish (d. 2010), Randy Milligan, Jim Minshall, John Morlan, Rocky Nelson (d. 2006), Nelson Norman, Johnny Ray, Ricardo Rincon, Dave Roberts, Rennie Stennett (lined blue card), R. C. Stevens (d. 2010), Ed (Bud) Stewart (d. 2000), Doug Strange, Jim Winn and George Witt.
Winning Bid $68
Lot 291. Eliot Asinof Autographed First Edition of “Eight Men Out.” Asinof’s thorough account of the 1919 World Series Black Sox scandal is a baseball classic. The book served as the basis for the 1988 John Sayles film with the same title, which Asinof co-wrote. The 1963 hardback is vg+ to ex in a vg dust jacket that has a 1” tear on the front cover; an owner’s inscription is on the flyleaf. Asinof signed the title page. Kevin Keating authenticated his mint 9 signature. Asinof played minor league ball in the Phillies’ organization. He passed away in 2008.
Winning Bid $134
Lot 391. Autographed Photos of Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams Matted and Framed. Ready for display, this 16.25” x 22.25” item features two of baseball’s 11 best players of all time as judged by “The Sporting News.” Each star signed a 3.25” x 3.25” black & white photo, which is matted with a 9.5” x 13” photo of them talking on the steps of an unidentified dugout. The autographs, authenticated by Kevin Keating, are 10s. Impressive and attractive!
Winning Bid $182
Lot 392. 16 Book Pages Signed by 20 Baseball Stars and a Broadcaster – the Griffeys and 7 HoFers. Most signed near their photos. The collection includes an early “Junior Griffey” autograph on a page signed also by Ken Griffey (Sr.). This variation of the future Hall of Famer’s signature is rare. The HoF autographs are by Duke Snider, Andre Dawson, Luis Aparicio, Juan Marichal, Tony Perez, Enos Country Slaughter and Earl Weaver. The other signers are Curt Flood (personalized), Jackie Brandt, Ralph Branca, Ken McMullen, Bobby Thomson, Clem Labine, Carl Erskine, Tug McGraw (2), Luis Tiant, Wes Parker and Bob Costas. The autographs are bold and generally nm-m 8 or better. A nice little group with good potential break-up value! Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $55
Lot 393. Hank Aaron Autographed Aug. 13, 1973 “Newsweek.” Mint 9 Aaron signature on a cover that pictures him and Babe Ruth and focuses on his effort to equal the Sultan of Swat’s career home run record. He did so on April 4, 1974 at Cincinnati’s Riverfront Stadium and broke Ruth’s record three days later in Atlanta. The “Newsweek” issue, which is ex, has a five page article on Aaron. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $92
Lot 394. Vintage Chas “Babe” Adams Autographed Government Postcard. Fantastic mint 9 fountain pen signature on a postcard he dated Feb. 4, 1957. A small photo of Adams has been added to the postcard. Adams was the pitching hero of the 1909 Pittsburgh vs. Detroit World Series, earning three of the Pirates’ four victories. He twice won more than 20 games in a season, and he finished his career with a 194-140 record and a 2.76 ERA. He was accurate with a baseball and a gun. In 2,995 major league innings, he walked only 430 batters. In a losing 21-inning duel in 1914, he didn’t walk a single batter. Well into his seventies, he was still regarded as one of the best marksmen in the U.S. He died in 1968. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $45
Lot 396. Earl Averill Autographed 8x10 B&W Glossy Photo. A .318 batter in a 13-year major league career, Averill spent all or part of 11 seasons in Cleveland. He was named to the first six A.L. All-Star squads. Averill entered the Hall of Fame in 1975. He passed away in 1983. His autograph is a beauty, a 10, on the photo, which shows him in a Cleveland uniform. The photo has a light stain in the lower right border. Authenticated by Kevin Keating. MB $30.
Winning Bid $68
Lot 397. Joe Cronin (HoF) Vintage Fountain Pen Signature on a 1941 Play Ball Card. Large nm-m 8 to mint 9 autograph on the front of card #15, which has a very small piece of tape in the lower left corner and otherwise is vg. Our consignor obtained Cronin's signature in 1942. The Hall of Fame shortstop passed away in 1984. Authenticated by Kevin Keating and accompanied by a copy of a Letter of Authenticity from James Spence.
Winning Bid $113
Lot 398. Dom DiMaggio Autograph on 1941 Play Ball Card #63. Vintage signature in steel-tipped fountain pen obtained by our consignor in 1942. The card shows minor paper loss at the top and has several light stains that fail to detract from the autograph or overall appearance of the card. DiMaggio passed away in 2009. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $55
Lot 399. Joe DiMaggio Autographed 8” x 10” Color Photo. Bold gem mint 10 signature. The photo has a couple of creases in the center at the top. Authenticated by Kevin Keating. MB $75.
Winning Bid $113
