What's your most prized autograph and why?

[thekingofclout]

Originally Posted by mschwade

What's your most prized autograph? It might be because it's value, it might be because of the story of how you got it, it might be a relative, it could be anything. Everyone has a few they love more than all the others.

Here's mine.. My Babe Ruth I purchased last year from the original owner who got it as an 11 year old boy. Have a letter from him and the article from his local newspaper about when he got it.

I've wanted to own a Babe Ruth autograph for so long and last year I had the opportunity to purchase one after selling my 1935 Ohio State-Michigan program that was signed by practically the whole 1935 OSU team. I was sad to give up such a nice program, but it allowed me to add the piece to my collection that I had been longing for since I began collecting.

That's a terrific story to go with a great Ruth autograph, Matt. Hard to beat having an old newspaper article and letter tying it all together!

Originally Posted by Lordstan

That is an awesome Ruth. Congrats.
I'll post my favorite later when I get home.

And although my dear friend Mark has about a gazillion autographs, I have a hunch on what his favorite is going to be. It also happens to be displayed in a terrific piece of folk art as well.

Here's mine. Gehrig and Ruth are my main collecting focus and my name is Jimmy, so that makes this a pretty easy choice for me...

gehrigjimmyAUTO.jpg

gehrigjimmycloseup.jpg

[Lordstan]

And although my dear friend Mark has about a gazillion autographs, I have a hunch on what his favorite is going to be. It also happens to be displayed in a terrific piece of folk art as well.

Jimmy,
I'm not sure I have a gazillion. I may have to count again.
My 2 favorites fall in to 2 categories.

First is my favorite item from a "collecting" standpoint.
Lou Gehrig sig in hand made frame. As Jimmy said Folk art as well as baseball. You can see from the matting, it is handmade.





From a personal standpoint it's this.


These are two matchbooks from Bookbinders restaurant in Philly. They are signed by Warren Spahn.
In the early 80's, he appeared at a card show at the Bethlehem hotel. On Sat night after the show Mr. Spahn wanted to go to a nice dinner. He decided he wanted to go to Bookbinders. Two of the men organizing the show, Al Wexler and Dale Deibert were going to accompany/drive him down to Philly.. Somehow, this 16 year old kid was also sent along.
During the hour long drive and dinner, he was absolutely fantastic to be with. He told stories and was super funny.
When we got to the restaurant it was packed. The three of us discussed what we would do if we couldn't get a table.
Well it wasn't an issue.
We walked in the door and the Maitre'd yelled out across the din Mr Spahn, Mr Spahn. How are you? Do you want a table? Mr Spahn answered Yes, and called his name, though I don't remember it now.
We walked right past everybody waiting, probably 20-30 people, and were seated immediately. All the while, the Matre'd was telling him how long it had been since he had visited and how happy he was to see him again. Mr Spahn returned the niceties in kind.
It was a fantastic evening. The food was great, although I admit to not remembering what I ate. I was so in awe of sitting and talking with him that a lot of the details are a blur.
On the way out, I picked up a couple of matchbooks which he signed for me as a memento.
It was certainly one of the best experiences of my collecting life.
RIP Mr Spahn.

[Scott Garner]

Great story about Spahnie, Mark!

[Deertick]

First the facts (then the story):

This matchbook cover has been in my family since the signature was obtained by my Great Uncle in 1945. It was signed by Double X while inside a bar outside of Shibe Park. It was then given to my Uncle, who put it in a scrapbook until 1985, when it was given to me.

Now, the family story:

I was told when it was given to me (and my dad has corroborated), that my Grandfather always said that his brother encountered Jimmie Foxx in the bar drinking beer BETWEEN GAMES of a double header and that Foxx subsequently hit a homerun in the second game. Both my Uncle and Dad said this behaviour, while not condoned, was not uncommon "Back in the day". IF this account is true, through the magic of the interwebs, I was able to pinpoint when this would have occurred.
(Edit: I got clarification to the story. Signature was obtained by my Great Uncle (not grandfather) after the game. He said the bar was on 22nd or 23rd and Lehigh, and he is trying to remember the name. But he was sure of the year and the HR in the 2nd game of the DH.)

Still cool to be able to pinpoint the day, just not as salacious.


Wed. June 6, 1945

First game

Phillies lost to the Boston Braves 15-1
Foxx went 2-4 with a strikeout

Second game

Phillies lost 7-3
Foxx went 2-4 with a HR and a walk, 1 RBI
This would have been his 530th career HR and 1900th RBI
This was the only Homerun that he hit during the 2nd game of a doubleheader at home in 1945.

[Tedw9]

Great topic with awesome responses. I've enjoyed reading each and every one of them, thanks for sharing.

This was a tough one for me, because I have several "favorite" autographs for different reasons. But this one has a special place in my collection just because he took the time to write me back.

Back in '03 some friends and I were talking Red Sox during our morning break. One of the guys asked me if I knew why they called it the "Pesky Pole", which I had no idea. I figured who better to ask than the man himself, Mr. Johnny Pesky. I NEVER thought he would write me back, but I had to at least try.

When I got a reply back, I was pretty excited. The Pesky Pole is such a big part of Fenway and to have the story behind it told to me from Mr. Pesky himself, well, that's pretty special to me.

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by Tedw9

Great topic with awesome responses. I've enjoyed reading each and every one of them, thanks for sharing.

This was a tough one for me, because I have several "favorite" autographs for different reasons. But this one has a special place in my collection just because he took the time to write me back.

Back in '03 some friends and I were talking Red Sox during our morning break. One of the guys asked me if I knew why they called it the "Pesky Pole", which I had no idea. I figured who better to ask than the man himself, Mr. Johnny Pesky. I NEVER thought he would write me back, but I had to at least try.

When I got a reply back, I was pretty excited. The Pesky Pole is such a big part of Fenway and to have the story behind it told to me from Mr. Pesky himself, well, that's pretty special to me.

Sweet letter!!

[39special]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

And although my dear friend Mark has about a gazillion autographs, I have a hunch on what his favorite is going to be. It also happens to be displayed in a terrific piece of folk art as well.

Jimmy,
I'm not sure I have a gazillion. I may have to count again.
My 2 favorites fall in to 2 categories.

First is my favorite item from a "collecting" standpoint.
Lou Gehrig sig in hand made frame. As Jimmy said Folk art as well as baseball. You can see from the matting, it is handmade.





From a personal standpoint it's this.


These are two matchbooks from Bookbinders restaurant in Philly. They are signed by Warren Spahn.
In the early 80's, he appeared at a card show at the Bethlehem hotel. On Sat night after the show Mr. Spahn wanted to go to a nice dinner. He decided he wanted to go to Bookbinders. Two of the men organizing the show, Al Wexler and Dale Deibert were going to accompany/drive him down to Philly.. Somehow, this 16 year old kid was also sent along.
During the hour long drive and dinner, he was absolutely fantastic to be with. He told stories and was super funny.
When we got to the restaurant it was packed. The three of us discussed what we would do if we couldn't get a table.
Well it wasn't an issue.
We walked in the door and the Maitre'd yelled out across the din Mr Spahn, Mr Spahn. How are you? Do you want a table? Mr Spahn answered Yes, and called his name, though I don't remember it now.
We walked right past everybody waiting, probably 20-30 people, and were seated immediately. All the while, the Matre'd was telling him how long it had been since he had visited and how happy he was to see him again. Mr Spahn returned the niceties in kind.
It was a fantastic evening. The food was great, although I admit to not remembering what I ate. I was so in awe of sitting and talking with him that a lot of the details are a blur.
On the way out, I picked up a couple of matchbooks which he signed for me as a memento.
It was certainly one of the best experiences of my collecting life.
RIP Mr Spahn.

Great Spahn auto.I know Al.He told me that story.Great story!I still deal with
Al.He has alot of great stories!!!!

[ss]

Two of the tougher 1919 Black Sox: