Baseball, Football and Sports Figures
LIVE AND INTERNET SALE - PART I
BEGINS AT 1 PM EASTERN, SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2002

Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig

519. BABE RUTH AND LOU GEHRIG SIGNED BASEBALL A Spalding Babe Ruth Home Run Special regulation-sized baseball, signed on the sweet spot by GEORGE H. "BABE" RUTH, with a signature on a side panel of his fellow Yankee great, LOU GEHRIG. Ruth's signature rates about a 7-8, Gehrig's is lighter and rates about a 2-3, yet remains entirely legible. Both bear the very lightest clear coat of varnish which is almost indistinguishable. A fine opportunity to purchase a ball signed by two of the game's greatest at a reasonable price! $3,000-5,000 !=

520. GEORGE HERMAN "BABE" RUTH (1895 - 1948) Legendary American baseball star and Hall of Famer who hit 60 homer runs in 1927 and had a career total of 714. A superb and rare S.P. 8" x 11 1/2" b/w, a fine vintage printed photograph entitled "The Babe Shows How", taken from p. 107 of The American Magazine, and showing Ruth in three outstanding action shots, demonstrating sliding and fielding tactics. Very boldly and clearly signed in blue fountain ink across the top of one image. In fine condition, ideal for display!$2,500-3,000 !=

521. TY COBB'S SIGNED TOBACCO CANISTER TY COBB (1886 - 1961) Baseball Hall of Famer, "The Georgia Peach" led the American League in batting 12 times, possibly the greatest hitter ever. A great Cobb relic, his personal owned and used tobacco canister with his name "Tyrus Cobb" carved by him on the wooden lid. The canister measures 5 1/2" high, 5" wide, covered in green leather with a wood lid with ornamental medallion attached. On either side of the medallion, Cobb has written his name "Tyrus Cobb". This relic was obtained by us from Butterfield's, a well-respected California auction house where Al J. Stump had consigned the item for sale. Stump ghost-wrote Cobb's autobiography Cobb (later made into a film), and extensively interviewed Cobb in his final year. Sold with a copy of the auction invoice, Butterfield's catalog listing, and a copy of a Cobb letter to Stump reading in part: "...You can have the ties, shirts, robes, etc. I leave behind - also the old trophies used for book illustrations - and some signed odds and ends for young Johnny. Do not tell press, radio where I am or of my illness - want no sympathy...". Shortly after the note was written, Cobb checked himself into a hospital and later died of complications from diabetes and cancer. Very good. $700-900 !=

522. TY COBB Partly-printed D.S. "Tyrus R. Cobb" 1p. oblong 12mo., Reno, Apr. 29, 1952, a check drawn on the First National Bank of Nevada, ordering a $62.08 payment to the Wine Cellar. Boldly made out and signed by Cobb. Stamp and punch cancels away from signature, some showthrough from stamp on verso, very good.$700-900 !=

523. JACK NORWORTH (1879 - 1959) American composer remembered for his song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game". Exceptional signed first day postal cover honoring the "Centenary of Baseball 1839-1939", canceled at Cooperstown on June 12, 1939. Across the face of the cover, Norworth writes: "Jack Norworth author of Take me out to the Ball Game". The best possible association piece, in near fine condition. $600-800 !=

524. KANSAS CITY/NEW YORK YANKEE BASEBALL HISTORY An interesting archive of material concerning the minor league baseball franchise, the Kansas City Blues, namely a collection of corporate resolutions covering the years 1934, 1935, 1937 (when the team was purchased to become a Yankee minor league team), 1938-39, and 1941-43. From 1937-1954, the KC Blues were a minor league farm club of the New York Yankees. The Blues' association with the Yankees brought many great players to Kansas City, including, in 1951 Mickey Mantle. Others included Phil Rizzuto and Vince DiMaggio. Among those signing the resolutions are ROY HAMEY, General Manager of the Phillies and later of the Yankees, who signs eight documents; GEORGE WEISS, Hall of Famer and Yankees General Manager, WILLIAM KLING, and other notables signed by proxy, including JACOB RUPPERT and ED BARROW. The minutes include the organization of the corporation, board member elections and resignations, issuance of stock, vote tallies (including the election of TRIS SPEAKER to serve as a Director, and so on. Very good to fine. $500-700

"...Send me out to go to the fight..."

525. JOHN L. SULLIVAN (1858 - 1918) American bare-knuckled boxing champion finally defeated by James Corbett, known for his bluster and phenomenal strength. Rare A.L.S. "John L. Sullivan" on his illustrated personal letterhead promoting "The Man From Boston", Boston, Feb. 8, 1897 to a newspaperman. In part: "...I received your telegram and will say that I would want you to leave ticket or send me out to go to the fight as I will be on deck unless [?] before it comes off or something unforeseen happens...[my] report of the fight will not take a back wash from any of the other newspapers that will be represented there. The Journal had a man over here to see me, but I said nay Rawlins you are too late, you kept me waiting before but not with John this time...". One offset stain at lower-right of portrait, folds and light soiling, mounted. Overall very good. Nine days later, Sullivan fought Paddy Ryan in Philadelphia in a three round match.$1,000-1,500 !=

526. ROBERT T. JONES (1902 - 1971) American golfer who won the U.S. Open five times, the British Open three times, and was the first "Grand Slam" winner. Rare I.S.P. 7 5/8" x 10" b/w, a terrific shot of Jones following-through on a swing, inscribed and signed in later years to noted autograph collector George Sanders: "For George R. Sanders With best regards Bob Jones". Evenly trimmed just a bit at right margin, otherwise fine and would frame nicely. $2,000-3,000 !=

527. ROBERT T. JONES A fine content 12mo. size autograph book of golfers participating in the 1927 British Open, signed by many famous golfers, mostly in pencil. Signatories include: BOBBY JONES, JAMES BRAID, ARCHIE COMPSTON, JACK BRADBEER, FRED LEACH, TOM WILSON, ANCENZUS DELL, JACK REDMOND, ROWLAND JONES, ARTHUR HAVERS, C. G. BAILEY, BOB HERD, JACK WHITE, and many more. Jones' signature is a touch light, but still legible, pages slightly toned, otherwise good.$1,500-2,000 !=

View Baseball, Football and Sports Figures section from LIVE AND INTERNET AUCTION PART II - Lots 1515-1550

End of PART I

Proceed to LIVE AND INTERNET AUCTIN PART II