Lot 8. Rare Handwritten Signed 1949 Letter by Francis Ouimet, 1913 U.S. Open Champion. The letter was sent to Bert Sugar and is from the Sugar estate. Ouimet was only a 20-year-old amateur when he won the 1913 U.S. Open in an 18-hole playoff against British champions Harry Vardon and Ted Ray. The competition is dramatized in the 2005 movie “The Greatest Game Ever Played.” Ouimet's victory is credited with bringing golf into the American sports mainstream. Ouimet never turned pro. He also won the U.S. Amateur in 1914 and 1931. Because of his contributions to the game, he is often referred to as the “father of U.S. amateur golf.” The first American elected captain of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club of St. Andrews, he was inducted into the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974, seven years after his death in 1967. In his 1949 letter to Sugar on his personal yellow stationery, Ouimet transmits “cards bearing my signature.” Sugar was 12 at the time, and Ouimet wrote “I was pleased to hear that you enjoyed the story that appeared in the recent issue of ‘Sports’ and I hope someday to read where you have been active in some line of athletic endeavor.” Of course, Sugar became a widely recognized sports writer, sports historian, publisher and contributor to sports collecting. Ouimet’s signature, authenticated by Kevin Keating and JSA Authentication, is mint 9 at the close of the letter. A letter of authenticity from the Sugar estate will accompany this lot. The JSA Auction Letter of Authenticity may be exchanged for a full LoA at a discount.
Current Bid $330
Lot 335. Arnold Palmer Vintage-Signed 1944 High School Yearbook Featuring Mr. Rogers. When the future “King” of golf was a freshman at Latrobe High School east of Pittsburgh, Fred Rogers, the future creator of “Mr. Rogers Neighborhood,” was a sophomore. As adults, for achievements in their respective fields, each received the Presidential Medal of Freedom and numerous other awards. Both are pictured in the 1944 edition of the “Latrobean,” their high school’s yearbook. Palmer is pictured as a member of the freshman class and is identified in a photo of the golf team; we are uncertain, however, of whether he is actually pictured. He may be shown in a page titled “Health is Essential.” Rogers is in photos of the Stamp Salesmen and Photo Clubs. Most importantly, Palmer’s autograph, which he printed in red, is on the title page. It grades nm 7 to nm-m 8; the tail of another signature extends through the “o” of Palmer’s autograph. Kevin Keating authenticated the signature, among the earliest of available Palmer autographs.
Minimum Bid $100
Lot 336. Arnold Palmer Autographed March, 6, 1967 “Sports Illustrated.” This issue contains the first of four articles on Palmer by Mark H. McCormack, who published two books on the golf legend. The cover shows Palmer with his wife, Winnie. His signature is nm-m 8 to mint 9. The issue is ex-m+. Palmer is one of the top 10 golfers of all time, and few have done more to popularize the sport. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Minimum Bid $100
Lot 337. Arnold Palmer’s Autographed Autobiography, “A Golfer’s Life.” Mint 9 autograph on the first title page authenticated by Kevin Keating. The 1999 hardback, an apparent first edition, is ex in a similar dust jacket. Palmer was ranked 29th on ESPN’s list of the top 100 athletes of the 20th century. Among golfers, only Jack Nicklaus placed ahead of him. Palmer made a monumental contribution to making golf a popular sport among TV viewers.
Minimum Bid $50
Lot 338. Sam Snead, “Ace Golfer,” Granger Pipe Tobacco 1950s Display Advertisement. Colorful ad, approximately 14.5” x 20.25”, framed to 17” x 22.5”. The ad, on thick stiff paper, shows a light crease on Snead’s forehead. Otherwise, it is clean and bright. During his Hall of Fame career, Snead won he won 82 PGA tournaments, an accomplishment no other golfer has equaled. Granger was a Liggett & Myers product.
Current Bid $113
