Crazy selling price for signed program

[Chris-Counts]

Hi, can somebody tell me why this program sold for over $1,100? From my experience bidding on signed programs from the 1940s or 1950s, these rarely go for more than about $100 each — I've picked up some really nice ones for considerably less. I realize that Karl Drews is tough, and Luke Easter is popular, but what am I missing here?

I've long believed that signed team programs with great graphics and vintage signatures that display well are vastly undervalued — just not this much.

[gonefishin]

Do you know any more about the game? Has the scorecard been scored? If you can date the game, did anything special happen? Was it for a special or significant day?

There are a lot of other factors may tell us why it sold for so much, or you just looking at the value of autographs?

[Chris-Counts]

The listing doesn't mention anything about a specific game, and it doesn't even show a scan of the lineups. It appears the selling price was tied to whoever signed it, and/or how well it will display. The program on its own can't be worth more than $30.

[stat192]

The reason is bill froats . He is probably the rarest 1950s debut. This is only 2nd ive ever seen

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by stat192

The reason is bill froats . He is probably the rarest 1950s debut. This is only 2nd ive ever seen

What's his story? He lived a long time.

[Steve D]

Based on the players who signed it, the program seems to be from a 1956 game between Toronto and Buffalo.

Steve

[stat192]

I really don't know why Froats is so rare, maybe because he only played one major league game, no one asked for his autograph. I got mine on an index card in 2011 and I've never seen another one for sale since. I love searched team signed items for these rare autos. I wish I had seen this for sale.

[Chris-Counts]

Thanks for the info Giovanni! I looked up Bill Froats, and his stats show he pitched about 80 games for Buffalo in the late 1950s. Team signed balls from that era aren't too rare. I wonder if he signed any?

[gonefishin]

Giovanni I am impressed! Your knowledge is amazing.

Now a question for you. Is that price reasonable?

[jingram058]

Who knows why some things sell for incredible sums, and some things don't.

Some time ago I watched an eBay bidding frenzy for a Navy WW2 book entitled "Battle Report - Pearl Harbor to the Coral Sea". I just happened to have a copy that I bought from ABEbooks for $10. They bid it up to over $600. I contacted the runner-up, which eBay despises, and offered him my copy for $600. He sent me a cashiers check. I couldn't in good conscience cash it, so I sent him my copy and his cashiers check, with a letter asking why in the world would you be willing to pay $600 for an easily obtained book? Never got a reply.

[stat192]

i paid $1,181 in 2011, and as i said this is first ive seen for sale since then so yes, i think it sold for a fair price

[jimtb]

I won the program, and yes it was for the Bill Froats auto. He's a Tiger auto that I've needed for at least ten years. It closes a gap for me, and now I'll have all of the Tigers autos from 1933-present. It's the only Froats auto I've seen come up for sale. If his name was in the auction title, it may have gone for more.

[Chris-Counts]

Congratulations Jim! That's quite an accomplishment. Who are you missing from 1932?