Pre-WW2 Football autographs

[prewarsports]

Man, that is a beauty!

[cfhofer]

Thanks Rhys. You’ve had some killer stuff over the years too.

Here is a signed original photo of 1914-16 Michigan All-American and College Football Hall of Famer John Maulbetsch, the German Bullet.

[cfhofer]

Here’s one of my favorites. It was a gift from the Little family to my father while I was deployed overseas. This is a signed dinner program by the Big Ten coaches in honor of Grantland Rice on November 26, 1926. Key signatures include Knute Rockne, Amos Stagg, Robert Zuppke, Fielding Yost, Dan McGugin, George Little and John Wilce.

[Michael B]

Originally Posted by cfhofer

Here’s one of my favorites. It was a gift from the Little family to my father while I was deployed overseas. This is a signed dinner program by the Big Ten coaches in honor of Grantland Rice on November 26, 1926. Key signatures include Knute Rockne, Amos Stagg, Robert Zuppke, Fielding Yost, Dan McGugin, George Little and John Wilce.

The signature that jumps out at me is Harlon O. "Pat" Page member of the Basketball Hall of Fame class of 1962.

[prewarsports]

John Schommer is also a super tough signature!

[cfhofer]

Thanks guys. Pat Page was also the Indiana football coach in 1926. Some consider Schommer the first great basketball player. Those who collect football coaching legends will also find Clarence Spears (Minnesota) and Jim Phelan (Purdue).

I have looked for a newspaper article or reference to this event for years without success. Would be fun to see all who attended.

[cfhofer]

On the subject of pre-WW2 Chicago immortals - here’s another who finally received his long overdue selection into the Pro Hall of Fame. Iowa (1918-21) and Chicago Cardinals (1926-31) legendary tackle Duke Slater.

This is a signed ‘Thorpe of Carlisle’ luncheon book from 1955. These were football luncheons put on by Hinckley & Schmitt, a Chicago water bottling company. Fellow collector Rev Moran wrote up a fantastic article on these annual football luncheons several years ago. They are a great source for early football autographs.

Along with Duke Slater this book was also signed by Joe Guyon and Gus Welch.

[mschwade]

Originally Posted by cfhofer

Here’s one of my favorites. It was a gift from the Little family to my father while I was deployed overseas. This is a signed dinner program by the Big Ten coaches in honor of Grantland Rice on November 26, 1926. Key signatures include Knute Rockne, Amos Stagg, Robert Zuppke, Fielding Yost, Dan McGugin, George Little and John Wilce.

Wilce - The above space is not for designing plays. HAHA!

[Exhibitman]

I dunno if this counts, but my father's brother's father-in-law got this for my father when he was a boy, and he passed it on to me: