Smoky Joe Wood Autographed Cards

[T206Collector]

Can anybody explain why there are dozens of signed T206 cards of Rube Marquard, but the hobby is only aware of 1 signed pre-war card of Smoky Joe Wood?

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Can anybody explain why there are dozens of signed T206 cards of Rube Marquard, but the hobby is only aware of 1 signed pre-war card of Smoky Joe Wood?

I can't answer your question about the signed vintage cards that you are inquiring about, but I can tell you that I have seen a few signed postcard size photos of Smokey Joe Wood. I own one in my collection, but it was signed in ball point pen, not vintage fountain pen.

[TexasLeaguer]

Originally Posted by T206Collector

Can anybody explain why there are dozens of signed T206 cards of Rube Marquard, but the hobby is only aware of 1 signed pre-war card of Smoky Joe Wood?

Probably because somebody out there realized that with a little practice he could sign like Marquard. Given a stack of 3x5's I bet I could knock out a fair Joe Wood auto after a little practice. Why anyone would want a signed 3x5 index card is beyond me. If you are doing a fake signature on a vintage baseball or card, you better be damn good or you could ruin an expensive item (it's ruined anyway with a fake auto but you know what I mean). Index cards don't cost a thing so you can sign hundreds of them at little or no cost and then just pick out the best one to sell. I dunno, if you know it's real (witnessed the signing) then cool, but it just seems like those index cards are ideal for a forger and I would never buy one.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by TexasLeaguer

Probably because somebody out there realized that with a little practice he could sign like Marquard. Given a stack of 3x5's I bet I could knock out a fair Joe Wood auto after a little practice. Why anyone would want a signed 3x5 index card is beyond me. If you are doing a fake signature on a vintage baseball or card, you better be damn good or you could ruin an expensive item (it's ruined anyway with a fake auto but you know what I mean). Index cards don't cost a thing so you can sign hundreds of them at little or no cost and then just pick out the best one to sell. I dunno, if you know it's real (witnessed the signing) then cool, but it just seems like those index cards are ideal for a forger and I would never buy one.

TexasLeaguer,
IMHO, it's important to note that signed 3 x 5 index cards and GPC's (Government Postcards) were the gold standard of autograph collecting hobby for over half of a century. To ignore collecting vintage signatures in this medium, and for that matter, signed cuts is a mistake. That being said, the greatest bit of advice on collecting autographs that I can offer you is to take the time to really study what you aspire to collect before spending your hard earned money.

[sox1903wschamp]

You know I met him at a show in Boston in the early 80's and spent close to an hour talking to him. Did not even attempt to get an autograph.

Great man and fun to talk baseball with. If I had known then what I know now, I would searched out every card of his to sign but I have never been an autograph guy, especially on cards

[jeffmohler]

Back in the early to mid 80's Smokey Joe was selling his old checks for a few bucks each. As a young teenager, I remember sending him my check for five of his checks. I later sold almost my whole autograph collection back around 95, including those checks. Oh how I wish I could have my collection back!!

I had assembled it all through the mail.... Joe Sewell, Stanley Coveleski, Edd Roush, Hank Greenberg.... mostly common signatures but they were from some of the all time greats.

[peterb69]

Yes that was his son selling at the various shows. He also was a nice man and would spend hours talking about his father. I bought some items that I believe were from his personal collection. He used to do the RI show as well as annual SABR meetings in RI. I have not seen him in about 10 years as shows however.

[Phil Arem]

I also met Joe Woods' son at the Fort Washingon shows in the 1990's. In fact, he had developed a post card depicting his father and his stats in an effort to get his father into the Hall of Fame...

[scooter729]

Apparently Wood's success as a pitcher wasn't well-received by everyone; had the senders of this letter followed up on their threats, none of us would likely own any Wood signatures.

This posting allegedly shows a copy of a death threat Wood received during his legendary 1912 campaign.

http://www.bugsandcranks.com/tylerma...-to-a-pitcher/

[Kawika]

"We warn you and we never fail." Spooky. Sounds like one of you-know-who's death threats. Plus ça change. Thanks for posting that, Scott. Very interesting. Guess it wasn't all as kinder-and-gentler back then as I like to romanticize.

[scmavl]

I have a Wood signed check. He was a great player, wish I could have met him.