September pickups
 

Here are 3 new ones to kick off September:

1934 Brooklyn Dodgers banquet menu signed by 21 including 1903 no-hit pitcher Chic Fraser, HOF'ers Hack Wilson and Al Lopez. Fraser is an extremely tough name that is seldom seen. He's been on my early no-hit pitcher bucket list forever.

Ernie Shore signed RPPC. Shore combined with Boston Red Sox LHP Babe Ruth in 1917 to pitch one of the most unusual of games. Ruth was the starting pitcher in the game, but got into an argument with home plate umpire Brick Owens arguing balls and strikes with the first batter. Ruth walked the 1st batter Morgan and then proceeded to punch Owens and was immediately ejected from the game.

Ernie Shore came into the game in relief. The baserunner Morgan tried to steal 2nd, but was thrown out immediately. Shore and the BoSox proceeded to shut down the next 26 batters without allowing a hit, walk or error.

Although this game is not presently viewed as an official perfect game, it was until 1991 when MLB changed the rules surrounding no-hitters and perfect games.

Debs Garms signed 3.5" x 5.5" photo. Garms was the hitter that ended up breaking up Johnny "Double No-Hit" Vander Meer's consecutive no-hit innings streak at 21 in 1938 in Boston.

Koufax
 

Beautiful Scott!!

Not in the best shape, but kinda like this. May end up keeping it for a while, instead of resale. He was such a legendary force in baseball

I finally was able to acquire one of these with an inscription.

Attachment 112533

Nice Chris. Great pickups so far. Love the menu

Great Tresh Chris!!

Thank you, Scott and Steve. I don't usually post my pick-ups here, but this is one I've waited for on his 1962 rookie card.

Sweet pickup, Chris. Perfect fit for your collection. Congrats!

Back at you, Scott, and your pickup.

Thanks James and Scott!

Picked up a Mickey Mantle authentic variant version of his autograph and address. The Mick was writing down where he wanted a guy to send some photos that Mickey wanted.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...psc84af5ab.jpg

Cool!

Cool piece but it brings up a good question that may need its own thread; when is an autograph an autograph? IMO, I don't feel that an address is an autograph. Mickeys intention was to write out his name so it was clear to receiver of the address. I'm interested in others thoughts.

I don't consider that an autograph, but yes, it is his "printed name" Exceptions would be someone like Helen Keller, who as most know, could only "print her name" in block letters, due to her blindness. In that case, since she didn't sign in cursive script, that would be considered her "autograph"

That I like!!!

How many times did Neil Armstrong sign this document?

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...mstrongins.jpg

none

There may be more than one "right" answer. But "none" is wrong.

one on bottom right is his, I guess, but Im used to the one u see on photos. are those in the "text" partials?

That insurance form was filled out by him in 1953--when he still took a bit of time signing.
But is his printed name an autograph?

IMO, it's not. It's his name printed. It's used for clarity in case his signature isn't legible.

:)

David

That's a sweet Armstrong piece. I used to have a couple of those that I bought from Richard way back in the day. One of only a small handful of items that I now wish I hadn't sold as I'm sure it would be cost prohibitive to pick one back up, and I liked the novelty of his middle name on them.

Mike

Wow, Mike. I didn't know there were others. It's the earliest signature I've seen, and the only Armstrong I own. I'd certainly rather have it than a signed WSS litho.

#186-Arky Vaughan-curtosy of Tom (btcarfagno)

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps3799d48f.jpg

Started off the month nicely. Picked up a 1969 Topps Curt Flood for my 1969 Topps collection. Picked up a 1926 Spalding Champions Max Carey. A 1934 Diamond Stars Al Lopez and a 1933 Goudey Fred Fitsimmons

All great, but that Carey is really neat. Nice pickup!

Finally got my Greenberg, and the others are dupes

Really like the Grimes.

Dog-chewed '56 Yankees ball should be arriving in a few days. The only good autographs remaining are Mantle, Berra, Howard and Slaughter. The ball cannot be repaired. Given that the dog-chewed panel appears as shown below, and the Martin is clubhouse, I might do something like this:

Scott,

That framing job looks great! Great way to preserve a potential nightmare scenario. Be sure to post pics if you decide to get it done.

Thanks James, I will. I had this mock-up created before the auction ended, so it was the plan all alone. If there is some way to put it back together to where it resembles a displayable baseball, then I will do so - I even studied how to re-stitch a baseball - but I think that in this case it would end up looking real bad.

Awesome!!

That will have great eye appeal. What a great way to salvage that chewed ball.

Scott, the layout looks good but (IMO) you are going to be alittle challenged to get those end panels to lay nice and flat. I have a couple of panel "cuts" I purchased and those darn things just will not flatten nicely so as to display through a postcard size top-loader. Perhaps framing with glass would do the trick. Best of luck to you. Lood forward to seeing your end result.

Vincent, I see what you are saying. My plan was to find a good leather-repair person and ask their opinion - if they can't do it, I won't mess with it.

Must be Neil Armstrong month. I picked up this signed 3x5 from the original owner who met him at Langley Air Force base in the early 1970's. Unfortunately, an errant spill from a glass of water long ago left a large stain on it, but other than that the signature is very nice and large. I like that he added the Apollo Inscription as well.

Spent 7 years of my life living on LAFB, that Armstrong is especially cool to me because of that connection. What a great, bold sig, even with the stain, it really pops!

Thanks, it was interesting to talk with the original owner, and hear her tell of how she had cherished meeting Armstrong. At first I want sure about the stain effecting it, but like you mentioned the boldness, size, and inscription impressed me. I have actually noticed that since Armstrongs passing, his autographs have become easier and slightly less expensive to find. I think it might have brought a lot of never before seen by the hobby ones out of the woodwork. I feel right now is actually a really great time to find them.

Here's another Tom Tresh beauty I picked up.

Attachment 113262

Someone ought to explain to those people that the Polo Grounds was in Manhattan.

Love this. I grew up in Dallas, and I knew this house well. I knew Mick lived or used to live there but never had the cajones to knock on the door.

Here's another Mantle I picked up from Stinson today. I like any authentic Mantles that don't look like the typical 80's and 90's show signature. This one is presumed to be from 1953.

http://i867.photobucket.com/albums/a...psb650a7a2.jpg

Just got Miguel Cabrera first minor league card autographed and a 1948 Bowman Bob Feller

Added 188-190 ( I am starting to realize that the climb to 200 will be tough/expensive)

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps115a110e.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps07e43fc8.jpg

http://i184.photobucket.com/albums/x...ps5e75b405.jpg

Some neat 1922 E121's and a W575 I picked up

Hall of Fame Autograph #36

http://i138.photobucket.com/albums/q...ps4904da36.jpg

Modern but...
 

He truly is a spectacle to watch. I'm sorry it's not pre-war, but having seen this kid play about 7+ games in person, he's the real deal. My generation's Mantle (no, I am not saying he's as good or ever will be as good as Mantle, but has VERY similar tools and playing style), and I am hoping he stays healthy and has a long successful career, he's a young exciting player with a hell of a future.

Got these Monday night at Target Field, believe he signed about 10 cards for me, and have about close to 50 in-person auto's of Trout now. I have to thank his uncle for living in MN and standing by him :)

And, don't forget, Mantle could sign his name so that you could read it.

Not arguing that, but when grown men are literally climbing over people (specifically kids) to get his autograph, I can see why there is a rush for him to sign a few and get out of there.

And you don't think that was happening with Mantle, too?

No I don't. Was a different time then. I highly doubt autograph hounds were shoving kids around to get his autograph, so no.

I wasn't around in the 50's or 60's, but that's my opinion.

I don't think that major league baseball players quit signing legibly because of volume. I think it has more to do with looking 'cool'.

David, please correct me or elaborate, but my understanding is that while Mantle's signature was always nice and legible, it changed a lot over the years as he tried to come up with something that had more flare to it. Perhaps 'cool' in Mantle's day still required readability, but it no longer does.

It did change a lot, but it was basically only the "Ms" that he played with. I agree with your idea of "coolness." (That, and the fact that kids aren't taught to write anymore. And very little of anything else, for that matter.)

i don't think anyone associate "cool" with having a chicken scratch signature. they're just lazy and don't put in the effort.

felix hernandez has a "cool" auto:

http://i370.photobucket.com/albums/o...psc1cd8038.jpg

I would add that the domination of the tech world (computers, tablets, smartphones) has eliminated the repetition of actually having to physically "write" anything.

I've often mused over how bad my own penmanship has become over time. I believe that the decay in quality is due to not actually "writing" anything anymore.

If you're a young athlete born in the computer age, to David's point, they probably have never been taught, or ever practiced, writing with good penmanship. Both of my kids are academically smart, but both share poor penmanship, IMHO.

Quan,
I agree with you completely. King Felix has one of the cooler signatures of the younger baseball superstars.

You are right about penmanship, but there are (and always have been) people who could write very well, but who had illegible crap signatures.

But my guess would be that Derek Jeter can't write anything that's readable.

I think he could if the price was right! ;)

Mike,
We don't have that much money! :D

It is an interesting signature. I have a question about the card. What is the word under 'Gallery"? Is it supposed to be penmanship? It looks more like Pennian to me. If it is in fact penmanship the font is horrendous.

Someone honestly tell me that both of those cards are going to be graded authentic. (Not saying they aren't, not saying they need to be authenticated.) They are totally different!

That is the cleanest I have ever seen his signature

here is an in-person auto from 2.5 years ago

Claude Hendrix signed photo
 

I recently picked up this vintage signed photo of no-hit pitcher Claude Hendrix. Hendrix is another challenging name I have been looking for forever.
Note: The inscription and sig has been enhanced at some point along the way, but I'm still happy to own it due to its scarcity regardless...

Claude Hendrix made history on May 15, 1915 when he no-hit the Pittsburgh Rebels (Federal League) 5-0 while he was pitching for the Chicago Whales (Feds).

The photo is an early image of Hendrix when he was a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Love the image!

Wow great pickup Scott. Where do you find those wonderful sigs? (Channeling my inner Joker)

That's a fantastic pic, Scott!

I just picked up this autograph album. It belonged to a woman who ran the dining hall used by the U.S. team during the 1956 Olympics in Melbourne, Australia. Not only is it filled with about 75 signatures of U.S. athletes including several nice full page signatures with nothing on the back. The book itself is one of the nicest I have seen or owned. The cover is made of kid glove leather, still nice and soft with no cracks for over 55 years old.

1) Paul Anderson (1932-94), considered by many to be the strongest man that ever lived. Gold medalist in 1956 and also world champ that year. He went into powerlifting. He did a 3 rep squat of 900lbs and did a back lift off of trestles of 6,270 lbs. the greatest weight ever lifted by a human.

2) Jim Boyd (1930-97) - gold medal in boxing. Had a short pro career. The first one I have seen of his.

3) Jesse Owens - everyone knows about him. Very similar to the signature he was still signing when he died, but fancier than his signature in the 1930's.

4) James Smith - not a big name, but one of 6 Olympians born in my hometown. Five are still living, but he would be the toughest to find due to the common name.

5)
&
6) The gold medal baskeball team. Includes Hall of Famers Bill Russell, K.C. Jones and Bruce Drake. All of the signatures on the first page are legitimate. The second page includes at least 3 non-malicious 'signed by others' signatures. The Gib Ford on the second page is not his signature, 1st page is. I have a letter out to Ron Tomsic (2nd signature) asking if that is his writing. The Bob "Jeanjerard" is misspelled. His last name is Jeangerard, but pronounced like it is signed. The second Bill Evans is not his signature and is signed 'Bll'. The Jim Walsh signature is rarer than a vintage Bill Russell as he died in 1976. The second page also includes two of the three amatuer male double gold medalists in basketball Burdette Haldorson (1956 & 1960) and Bill Hougland (1952 & 1956) though I suspect the Hougland may be signed by another as his name appears to be misspelled.

Except playing video games and programing our electronic devices:D
I know I bother my son at least twice a week about my damn phone:o

Michael,
I agree with you that this is quite an exceptional autograph album. Wow!
The Jesse Owens sig is beautiful. The poem by the boxer is a classic.
Congrats on your pickup. :)

Thanks Mark! I suppose tenacious networking and good timing are allowing me to have a great 2013 for finding rare early no-hit pitcher sigs. ;)

It's funny though, but when it rains it definitely pours. It's very unusual for me to find 3 exceptionally hard names off of my list in such short order. I haven't even chosen to share my most amazing find of the year thanks to this year's National... :cool:

Thanks Ken!

Great pickup Scott. Well?...are you gonna leave us hanging? What's the amazing pickup from the National? C'mon, you can tell us! :D

Well Mike, since you asked... ;)

At the National I picked up a true Holy Grail item for my collection.
The only known example of no-hit pitcher George W. Bradley's signature.

"Grin" Bradley is credited with throwing the first ever National League (and ML) no-hitter in 1867. It's important to note that Bradley threw the no-hitter from the initial mound distance of 50', not the current standard of 60' 6" that was adopted in 1893.

Bradley also is credited with being the 1st pitcher in either the NL or AL (established in 1901) to throw a shutout. Bradley's 1876 season was also special for the fact that he actually threw 16 shutouts, which is a ML record that he still shares with HOF'er Grover Cleveland Alexander. Bradley pitched approximately 65 times in 1876 and actually won 45 of those games, leading the NL with an ERA of about 1.23. :cool:

Holy guacamole Batman, that's incredible!!! Is that Bradley from a letter, or legal document? Were you actually looking for it, or did you just happen to see it and freak out?

Mike,
Thanks! It's from an entire letter. Provenance is exceptional.

BTW, the person that sold it to me knows exactly what I collect and asked that stop by to see him at the National.

It's truly an amazing piece that's absolutely right up my alley!

Wow, really amazing. According to B-R.com, he actually had 16 shutouts in 1876. The year of the Centennial of the US...hard to fathom that.

Mark, thanks for correcting me on how many shutouts Bradley had in 1876. I made the change in my 1st post.

They most likely wouldn't pass any authentication, but I don't care, I witnessed them being signed in front of my eyes and didn't plan on selling them, but yes, way different.

That's great - congratulations.

Do you have a publicly-viewable list of your no-hitter autographs? or better still, pics?