Any Brooklyn Dodgers collectors out there?

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by rlevy

Mike, I am by no means a Zimmer expert. I have attached close-ups of the Zimmer auto on the 1955 Yearbook, the 1955 spring training roster, and from a 1959 Dodger Program I have which was signed by the entire team. To me, the closed "D" in the two 1955 autos are the same, and I think it is quite unlikely his wife was signing team-signed rosters and yearbooks for him in 1955. The 1959 Yearbook however has the open "D" which I believe collectors view as his authentic autograph. Perhaps his signature changed over the years. I believe most think his wife began signing items mailed to them much later than 1955.

Just my conjecture,
Rick

Attachment 369480

Thanks Rick. Very confusing indeed, but agree with your assessment. I looked at some team signed balls that he's been on (for different teams) and I definitely see a changing of his sig where the D slowly goes open until 1964 where it's more like we see today. Now, the ball I saw in 64 had a different ink for his sig, so maybe he signed it later than 64, and I'm wondering if the 59 yearbook you showed might have been signed later as well. One thing I know, is that Topps usually used their "fake" sigs on their cards based on their contract signatures and if you look at his 55 topps signature it sure looks like the first two you have examples for as well as his wife's generally accepted sig. All and all very confusing.
Where's all the Brooklyn Dodger experts out there? C'mon guys, this should be right in your wheelhouse.

[jerseygary]

I'm a third generation Yankees hater, all started by my Grandfather who was a Brooklyn fan dating back to when he was kid in the teens. I used to collect the 1950s teams, but over the years gravitated towards the 1930s and 40s instead. Here are three of my favorite pieces:

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Diamond Star signed by Van Lingle Mungo in period fountain pen.

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1933 Brooklyn infield signed by Sam Leslie, Tony Cuccinello and Jersey Joe Stripp.

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And a real neat one - during WWII Gene Hermanski played outfield for the Brooklyn Bushwicks when he had leave from the Coast Guard on weekends, but he had to do it on the sly and used the name Gene Walsh. A young Brooklyn girls had him sign her autograph book in 1944 but there was no fooling her - she knew it was Hermanski and noted that beneith his signature.

They aint single-signed Sandy Koufax balls or a '52 Snider PSA 9, but they are among the favorites in my modest collection.