W600 Signed Cy Young - Now Authentic?

[Rob D.]

Originally Posted by Leon

Here is a W515-1 with an overprint/stamp ... The card went for under $70.....so, no financial motive on it, means it's more likely to be good, at least to me. Just some random thoughts....

I'm confused. I thought all overprints on the backs of cards are good.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Rob D.

I'm confused.

nuff said

[scooter729]

I am actually in the midst of reading a great Cy Young biography, “Cy Young, A Pitcher’s Life,” by Reed Browning. I just read an interesting section which relates somewhat to the W600 signature (quoting from page 100 of the book):
===
Like many private persons, Cy Young was a quiet man. This trait was famously evident in his aversion to interviews. Billy Hamilton asserted unequivocally that Young won’t be interviewed, and the blunt claim was virtually true. It was also evident in his reluctance to talk about himself. That’s why, from a baseball writer’s point of view, Cy Young was not good copy. That’s also why, when he traveled, he signed hotel registers as D.T. Young. (Sporting News, 2/10/1912) He preferred anonymity.
===
So at least it appears the D.T. Young was a period signature of the time for him.

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by scooter729

That’s also why, when he traveled, he signed hotel registers as D.T. Young.

And I would guess that the folks and JSA and PSA/DNA have one or two exemplars from hotel registers, which would make it somewhat easier to authenticate this particular example.

[Steve D]

Originally Posted by scooter729

Like many private persons, Cy Young was a quiet man. That’s also why, when he traveled, he signed hotel registers as D.T. Young. (Sporting News, 2/10/1912) He preferred anonymity.
===
So at least it appears the D.T. Young was a period signature of the time for him.

OK, so he signed "D.T. Young" in an attempt to protect his privacy, and maintain some sort of anonimity.

Why then, would he sign an autograph on a baseball card or photo, as "D.T. Young". The person obtaining the signature obviously knew his identity, so there was no anonimity or privacy to maintain.

Many famous people, even today, register at hotels under pseudonyms. They do not however, use these pseudonyms when signing autographs.

Steve
Steve

[calvindog]

Originally Posted by Steve D

OK, so he signed "D.T. Young" in an attempt to protect his privacy, and maintain some sort of anonimity.

Why then, would he sign an autograph on a baseball card or photo, as "D.T. Young". The person obtaining the signature obviously knew his identity, so there was no anonimity or privacy to maintain.

Many famous people, even today, register at hotels under pseudonyms. They do not however, use these pseudonyms when signing autographs.

Steve
Steve

Steve, I was just going to write the same thing. That W600 is no hotel registry....

[T206Collector]

Originally Posted by calvindog

Steve, I was just going to write the same thing. That W600 is no hotel registry....

True, but I'd guess old Cy put less thought into signing things from item to item than any of us put into our posts on this thread. Putting aside the authenticity of this card, of which I have no opinion, I'd be willing to wager Mr. Young signed some things other than hotel registries with his initials, as opposed to "Cy".

[scooter729]

My purpose of the post was simply to show that in that time period of around 1912 (time of the Sporting News article), Cy at least in some instances referred to himself as D.T. Young.

So the premise of an autograph being signed in such a manner is not crazy.

I wouldn't even venture a guess as to the authenticity of the signature on the W600, but I was just referencing a period article quoting Young signing his name (albeit on a hotel registry) as D.T. Young.