How Rare Is This Autograph?
 

Just got this in the mail today. It's Art Thomason who played a handful of games for the 1910 Cleveland Indians..he passed away in 1944 so I'm guessing it's not an easy auto, but just wondering from the experts out there how rare it is.

I don't know how rare the autograph is, but wanted to comment on how cool the photo is-- just looking at the stuff around him.

Started to ask if this was him in his 1917 Lincoln Links uniform, but then saw the date on the postmark. Could the photo be from a failed 1916 try-out? (noting that baseball-reference.com does not show any minor league activity for him for 1916).

In any case, very nice photo, and no doubt a rare signature considering he was not a big-name player and passed nearly 70 years ago. I can't imagine there are too many of either photos or signatures of his out there.

He played for Lincoln in 1916...baseball reference is wrong..the player listed as Thompson is actually Thomason. There are a ton of errors on the Baseball Reference website and I only look at the Lincoln and Nebraska teams on there...I suppose I should send them the needed corrections eh?

Dan

To answer your question, he is rare, but not unique. I know of at least 2 in private collections and so there are probably at least a handful of others as well. If I had to guess I would say the postcard unsigned would be $75-$100 and signed it is in the $250-$300 range to an autograph collector that does not have his signature (could be a tough sell). Traditionally the later the debut date combined with rarity raise the price. So a 1920 debut date that there are 2-3 that exist is going to be more valuable than a 1902 debut date with the same numbers out there because more people collect newer signatures with a more realistic chance of "completion". There are collectors who try for everyone to ever play for a certain team but unfortunately there are not a ton of Cleveland collectors out there. Really a nice item though. I hope that helps you out.

Rhys Yeakley

Thanks Rhys, I don't think I'd ever sell it since it's a Lincoln postcard, but just curious if his signature was rare. Appreciate your appraisal. :)

In general, players who died before WWII will be tough.

I was expecting to see a cut or a signed index card. The pc was a nice surprise.

Anyone want to take a stab at what he signed at the bottom of his note on the back??

"Tommie"

Thanks Mark, I'll bet you're right..must have been his nickname.

"Just got this in the mail today. "

Boy, the mail must be taking longer than usual these days.

Is 95 years too long to wait for a postcard to arrive? :D