Anyone collect contracts/have any to show off?

[Scott Garner]

I do own a few contracts, mostly related to Nolan Ryan and Johnny Vander Meer.

Here are Vandy's personal copies of the two contracts that he had during his historic 1938 season that he threw back to back no-hitters on 6/11/38 and 6/15/38. I acquired these separately over a decade of searching once I realized that there were two contracts out there.

Vandy started the 1938 season with a $500/ month contract since it was not known whether he would stay up with the team after struggling in his 1937 season. In late May, Reds upper management was convinced that Vandy would certainly "stick" in the majors. As a show of good faith, they tore up his monthly contract and game him an annual contract for $4,000.
Although these contracts seem laughable compared to today's player contracts, they were consistent with what 1st year players typically received during this era. Reds GM Warren Giles offered to manage Vandy's endorsement deals that came his way after his consecutive no-hitters. He reported to the press that Vandy made over $20K in 1938 including endorsement deals which was pretty solid for the Depression Era...

Note: At the end of 1938 Vandy received his 1939 Players contract and it bumped him up to $8,000 in '39. I own this contract as well.