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
