[dgo71]

I was easily able to find/compile a list of possible signers of the gold HOF plaque postcards issued by the Hall of Fame. Compiling a list of possible B&W signers has proven to be slightly more challenging. I used 1947 as the premier year of the Albertype B&W cards, and continued through the Artvue years ending in 1963. Cross-referencing the year of deaths for HOFers elected during this period, I came up with a list of who I believe are the possible signers.

Guessing who is possible is further complicated by the fact that (to my knowledge) the HOF was not as diligent in those days in ensuring new inductee's postcards were produced in time for their induction ceremony. Some, like Ruth, if truly possible, would be exceptionally rare since the player died very close to the introduction of the postcards, but I have them listed as technically possible. I know that both Paul Waner and Bill McKechnie attended the 1965 induction ceremony (the first year gold plaques were supposedly available to the public) but neither men are considered possible on gold plaques - the belief being that the gold plaques had not been available until late in the year, and both men passed away shortly after the ceremony. Does this scenario exist for any B&W postcards? Perhaps Ruth, for example?

These are the HOFers that I believe could have signed B&W postcards, but passed away before the advent of the gold plaques:

Grover Alexander
Home Run Baker
Jesse Burkett
Fred Clarke
Ty Cobb
Mickey Cochrane
Eddie Collins
Tom Connolly
Hugh Duffy
Clark Griffith
Rogers Hornsby
Nap Lajoie
Connie Mack
Bill McKechnie
Kid Nichols
Mel Ott
Babe Ruth
Al Simmons
Tris Speaker
Dazzy Vance
Honus Wagner
Bobby Wallace
Ed Walsh
Paul Waner
Cy Young

These HOFers would have been able to sign both B&W and Gold versions of their plaques.

Max Carey
Sam Crawford
Joe Cronin
Dizzy Dean
Bill Dickey
Joe DiMaggio
Bob Feller
Elmer Flick
Jimmie Foxx
Frankie Frisch
Charlie Gehringer
Hank Greenberg
Lefty Grove
Gabby Hartnett
Carl Hubbell
Ted Lyons
Joe McCarthy
Sam Rice
Jackie Robinson
Edd Roush
Ray Schalk
George Sisler
Bill Terry
Pie Traynor
Zach Wheat

Does anyone have a list together, or more insight in general, and can verify that my list is accurate? Am I missing anyone, or is there anyone I should remove from either list? Any help is greatly, greatly appreciated!