Lot 339. “Red” Grange and Ray Nitschke Autographed Index Cards. Both Grange and Nitschke were products of the University of Illinois. In the 1920s-30s, Grange (died 1991) helped to legitimize and popularize the National Football League. He is a charter member of both the College and Pro Halls of Fame. In 2008, ESPN selected him as the greatest college football player of all time. Nitschke (d. 1998) spent his entire Pro HoF career at middle linebacker for the Green Bay Packers. Grange’s autograph on an unlined index card is mint 9 to gem mint 10. Nitschke signed two unlined cards; the signatures are nm-m 8 to mint 9. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $92
Lot 350. Red Grange Late 1920s Cloth Doll, Photo Premium and Autograph. When ESPN selected the top 100 North American athletes of the 20th century, Grange ranked 28th. Only multi-sport talent Jim Thorpe and three other football players ranked ahead of him - Jim Brown, Joe Montana and Jerry Rice. In 2008, ESPN identified him as the greatest college football player of all time. He is a charter member of both the College and Pro Halls of Fame. His popularity in the 1920s and 1930s is difficult to overstate. After he completed his college career at Illinois, his signing with the Chicago Bears brought new legitimacy to the NFL. Grange endorsed products and made numerous public appearances. At least two dolls were produced bearing his name. The doll offered here is the one with a face that actually resembles Grange’s. The 18.5” doll has Grange’s No. 77 on the front and back of his jersey and on the back of his removable helmet. Grange’s name is also on the back of the helmet and on the back of his pants. Made of cloth and oilcloth, the doll shows wear on the crown of the helmet and a repairable split along the seam. One ankle has been repaired with thread, and whether original thread laces up his pants is unclear. There is a minor seam split on the back of his left ankle. This very attractive ex-m example of the doll is accompanied by a 5” x 10” sepia premium of Grange, which has an ex-m front and age-toned back with a small stain, and a personalized Grange autograph on an unlined index card. Grange signed “Red” in red ink. Kevin Keating authenticated the autograph, which is a 10. The personalization could be matted out. This is the only example that we have seen Grange sign in this manner.
Winning Bid $429
Lot 351. Late 1920s Red Grange Wilson Football in the Original Box. Grange’s name is impressed in the leather of the football, which appears to be unused in the box. The leather is dried and brittle. The box lid, which has Grange’s No. 77 on the top and two sides, displays vivid, bright colors. It has a tear and a heavy crease on the bottom half. The box identifies Thos. E. Wilson & Co., and a 5” x 8” insert on thin paper, Wilson-Western Sporting Goods.
Winning Bid $403
Lot 352. Oct. 5, 1925 “Time” Magazine with Red Grange on the Cover. Complete issue with a cover photo of one of the dominant athletes of the first half of the 20th century. Grange’s popularity contributed significantly to America’s acceptance of the National Football League. Damon Runyon wrote of Grange: "This man Red Grange of Illinois is three or four men rolled into one for football purposes. He is Jack Dempsey, Babe Ruth, Al Jolson, Paavo Nurmi and Man o' War. Put together, they spell Grange." ESPN selected him as the 28th greatest athlete of the century, ahead of such immortals as Unitas, Gehrig and Payton. The magazine is complete and vg. Splits along the spine have been neatly repaired with tape, which connects the covers and the pages. The front cover shows two small locations near the spine of residue from a label, which remains on the back. There are a couple of tiny edge chips and tears. This is an affordable example of the magazine with a cover that displays very well.
Winning Bid $152
Lot 353. Red Grange Signed Career Highlights, Book and Original 1928 Sepia Wire Photo. On an 8.5” x 11” page that presents highlights of his high school, college and pro football career, Grange placed a large mint 9 autograph. The page, which has four mailing folds, is personalized and accompanied by an envelope mailed in the 1970s. It comes with a 1952 ex-library hardback copy of “Red Grange: Football’s Greatest Halfback” by Gene Schoor, g-vg book, no dust jacket as issued. The sepia 6.5” x 8.5” Worldwide Photo, dated May 23, shows Grange next to Andrew Payne Jr., who won a transcontinental 3,422-mile footrace, called the “Bunion Derby,” from Los Angeles to Madison Square Garden. Vg-ex photo with an ex appearance; superb clarity and contrast. This group also includes an International News 6” x 8” photo, dated May 26, 1928, in which Payne receives congratulations from C. C. Pyle, sponsor of the race. Payne’s father looks on. Pyle was also one of the first sports agents. After convincing Grange to sign with the Chicago Bears, he lined up endorsements for Grange and took a percentage of the fees. The photo is vg to vg-ex with excellent clarity and contrast. A caption is adhered to the back of each photo.
Winning Bid $50
Lot 354. PSA/DNA Authenticated 1956 Autograph of Robert Zuppke, Red Grange’s HoF Coach. Mint 9 signature on a lined index card dated July 9, 1956. Zuppke passed away in December 1957. Inducted into the College Hall of Fame in 1951, Zuppke coached the University of Illinois from 1913-41. His teams won national championships in 1914, 1919, 1923 and 1927. Grange was the star of the 1923 team, which went undefeated and allowed only 20 points in eight games Authenticated also by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $168
