Harry Hooper autographs

[BicycleSpokes]

Dear all,

I am home visiting family in Idaho, and have had some fun going through my old baseball card etc. collection from my childhood (deciding what few things to keep and what to give to my nephew who is interested). Among the "keepers", I was very happy to find these old Harry Hooper post card and ball autographs, given to me by one of my Dad's friends about 25 years ago (unfortunately, neither of us could remember which friend). They didn't mean much to me at the time, as I was way more interested in collecting stuff from the stars of the day, but now that I am into pre-war I am really happy to have "found" them again!

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/davidfuhrman/other-pre-war/29844/hooper-harry-signed

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/davidfuhrman/other-pre-war/29845/hooper-harry-ball-signed

http://www.collectorfocus.com/images/show/davidfuhrman/other-pre-war/29846/hooper-harry-ball-signed

I am not an autograph guy, so I would be interested to hear any opinions on their authenticity (I presume they are authentic, given that they are personalized to "Doug Baldwin" but would still be very curious to hear from the experts here).

Also, I am curious if anybody can tell me anything regarding the date / background of the blue and red threaded ball. The autograph is dated June 16, 1952, so if authentic it would obviously pre-date that, but I have no idea by how far (not a ball guy either, I primarily just collect cards). On the back side of the ball it reads "Official American League Ball, PAT'D AUG -81-09" and "Warrantee, The Cork Center, 3 IN. 5 OZ." (see pic) if that is any help.

Any info would be truly appreciated. Thanks,

David

[btcarfagno]

There are several on the board who can help date the ball. It is pre 1930 for sure.

As to the autograph, if it is the only autograph on the ball it has considerable value. The personalization hurts it a bit, but it is nice and strong on a vintage ball that is in nice shape. You will be getting serious interest in that bad boy.

Congratulations on the "re-find".

Tom C

[bender07]

Agree with Tom. That's a beauty!!

[BicycleSpokes]

Tom C, bender07, and several others who have chimed in with PMs - Thank you so much for your help on figuring many things out. With your help, Here is what I have found so far:

1. The signatures are seemingly authentic (Hooper is the only one on the ball)

2. The ball I believe dates to between 1913-1917 (O in Official more centered above the i, rather than the c), which is really cool since it dates to his playing days, even though it was not signed until 1952:

http://keymancollectibles.com/balls/1913officialamericanleaguebaseball1917.htm

3. It is personalized to Doug Baldwin, who it turns out was an old baseball writer. There is a reference to a newspaper article apparently involving Hooper from 1937 by him at:

http://takemeouttocapitola.weebly.com/learn-more.html

Baldwin, Doug "Doug-Outs with Doug Baldwin", Santa Cruz Sentinel, Feb. 5 1937

So their relationship dates back at least that far. The post card, which could not have been signed prior to his HOF induction in 1971 i.e. long after the ball in 1952, is personalized "to my old friend Doug Baldwin", which seems consistent with all this.

Really cool, and seemingly much more unique than I had ever thought!

I am not looking to sell right now, but thanks to those of you who have expressed interest. I will keep you in mind if I ever change my mind. For now I am simply thrilled to learn more about this item and to add it into my pre war collection.

Any tips on how to find a copy of the newspaper article? I would be very interested in tracking that down now...

Cheers,
David


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[BicycleSpokes]

Just a quick follow up - if anyone is interested I was able to obtain the article, and posted a transcription on the main forum a few days ago.

Thanks again for all your help, David