Who was Irving Lewis?

[Tom Hufford]

The current thread about the T207 set is interesting, especially the discussion of the two Irving Lewis cards.

Has anyone yet discovered the birth/death dates and places for the mysterious Mr. Lewis? About 20-25 years ago (+/-?), his Boston Braves contract was sold in an auction carried in Sports Collectors Digest. (I was not the high bidder, and don't know who was). The contract stated that Lewis was living in Hempstead, NY.

A number of years ago, Keith Olbermann penned an interesting article on Mr. Lewis, in SABR's Baseball Research Journal, highlighting the numerous errors given in the cards' biographical/playing info. That article can be found here:

http://research.sabr.org/journals/irving-lewis-the-boston-brave-who-never-was

If I remember correctly, the Lewis contract was also signed by Braves president John Montgomery Ward - a very rare autograph. Its possible that the buyer may have gone after the contract for the Ward autograph, and if he/she weren't interested in cards, in addition to autographs, may not recognize the significance of the document.

Does anyone know where that Irving Lewis contract might be today? Or, does anyone perhaps have a xerox copy of it? I'm especially interesting in seeing a copy of Lewis' signature. With that, perhaps I could match it with one of the many Irving Lewises who have World War I draft registration cards on file. (WW I cards were signed in 1917-18, the signature probably wouldn't have changed much from 1911-12). Finding a match would give us his birth date, and might lead to info in the WW II draft cards (1942), and if he lived long enough, his death info in the Social Security Death Index.

Thanks for any help that anyone might be able to give!