1933 Goudey Autographs

[T206Collector]

Not mine - but gosh, what I wouldn't do to get my hands on this one:

[I Only Smoke 4 the Cards]

What is the story behind the red pencil marks on some of the Goudeys?

[Jasonxmay]

The cards with the distinct red lines beneath the signature were obtained by John Laity. Mr. Laity obtained autographs on the New York subway stops for the ballparks in the early 1930s. 1933 Goudey cards that he got signed are easily identifiable as he drew a red line as a way of telling the player where to sign. He also trimmed off the bottom banner on the cards that featured one. I was fortunate enough to buy my first card from the "Laity" collection from Roy Z., who is a member here. That card was Hack Wilson, and I believe Roy still uses the card as his avatar on here. I won it on ebay for around $1100, which at the time was the most I had ever spent on a card (funny how quickly things change). I emailed Roy to see if he happened to have any others and he had a Babe Ruth, which he graciously agreed to sell me. Roy put me in contact with a gentleman named Jim, whom he had purchased the Ruth and Wilson cards from. Jim had another Ruth, Gehrig, Ott, Vaughan, and Dizzy Dean left from the original collection that he had purchased years before from Mr. Laity. Jim wasn't ready to sell when I contacted him, but he kindly reached out to me a year or so later and we agreed on a price. Since then I've been on the lookout for other red line Goudeys, as I'm trying to piece Mr. Laity's collection back together piece by piece.

[theshleps]

Jason as I was going through my cards I think I found one- I forget which but possibly Dickey

[Leon]

Great thread with a lot of good info. Thanks for sharing!!

[jad22]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Not mine - but gosh, what I wouldn't do to get my hands on this one:

Was there any question about the authenticity of that signature? Great information.

[Jasonxmay]

Now that I take a closer look at that Lajoie, I do not believe it to be real. The signature looks way too slow and deliberate.

Originally Posted by jad22

Was there any question about the authenticity of that signature?

[kaddyshack]

Jason

Nice to see the signed Goudeys again. I thought you had 2 signed Ruths ? Anyhow, it's nice to see the signatures again. Please let me have first option on the Hack Wilson if you ever decide to sell it. I regret letting it go, but I know it's in the hands of a true collector. I'm satisfied with this on, which is also from the collection of Mr. Laity.

Roy Z.

[milkit1]

I got my first signed 33 (a Earl Whitehill for $50 off gar miller) on xmas 1988. not long after I got a vhs of the Barry Halper collection showing that Lajoie. Thats when I came to the realization that it was possible to have every card in the set signed. 25 Years and 250 signed goudeys later I am not so sure about the Lajoie either. Also I am positive there is no earl Clark. Ive looked for these longer then anyone and am sure of that. Interestingly, many Johnny Welch;s were signed (and by many I mean maybe 5) but Earl Clark was a minor leaguer for most of the 30's and was killed in a car accident in 1938. i do believe this to be the first set that multiple kids got signed at games based on the amount of vintage signed ones I ve seen including the red lines.

[mrmopar]

I'm guessing many of this type and quality of card are tucked away in private collections, only surfacing periodically. I see the more common signed 30s and older cards on ebay here and there. I don't bother to look at auction houses, as I don't have that kind of money to spend on them. Sure would be nice to know that more of these were signed though before many of the players passed away. I absolutely love the vintage signed cards. Have nothing of this magnitude to boast about, but try to grab any that I see at a budget collectors price. I have a few 33-34 Goudeys, Diamond Stars, Batter Ups and most commonly the 39-41 Play Balls. No T cards in this collection unfortunately.

Enjoyed the pictures, especially the Maranville, Cuyler, Wilson, etc., all brief Dodgers, which is my autograph passion.