O/T Crazy selling price for signed program
 

Hi, can somebody tell me why this program sold for over $1,100? From my experience bidding on signed programs from the 1940s or 1950s, these rarely go for more than about $100 each — I've picked up some really nice ones for considerably less. I realize that Karl Drews is tough, and Luke Easter is popular, but what am I missing here?

I've long believed that signed team programs with great graphics and vintage signatures that display well are vastly undervalued — just not this much.

Do you know any more about the game? Has the scorecard been scored? If you can date the game, did anything special happen? Was it for a special or significant day?

There are a lot of other factors may tell us why it sold for so much, or you just looking at the value of autographs?

The listing doesn't mention anything about a specific game, and it doesn't even show a scan of the lineups. It appears the selling price was tied to whoever signed it, and/or how well it will display. The program on its own can't be worth more than $30.

The reason is bill froats . He is probably the rarest 1950s debut. This is only 2nd ive ever seen

What's his story? He lived a long time.

Based on the players who signed it, the program seems to be from a 1956 game between Toronto and Buffalo.

Steve

I really don't know why Froats is so rare, maybe because he only played one major league game, no one asked for his autograph. I got mine on an index card in 2011 and I've never seen another one for sale since. I love searched team signed items for these rare autos. I wish I had seen this for sale.

Thanks for the info Giovanni! I looked up Bill Froats, and his stats show he pitched about 80 games for Buffalo in the late 1950s. Team signed balls from that era aren't too rare. I wonder if he signed any?

Giovanni I am impressed! Your knowledge is amazing.

Now a question for you. Is that price reasonable?

Who knows why some things sell for incredible sums, and some things don't.

Some time ago I watched an eBay bidding frenzy for a Navy WW2 book entitled "Battle Report - Pearl Harbor to the Coral Sea". I just happened to have a copy that I bought from ABEbooks for $10. They bid it up to over $600. I contacted the runner-up, which eBay despises, and offered him my copy for $600. He sent me a cashiers check. I couldn't in good conscience cash it, so I sent him my copy and his cashiers check, with a letter asking why in the world would you be willing to pay $600 for an easily obtained book? Never got a reply.

i paid $1,181 in 2011, and as i said this is first ive seen for sale since then so yes, i think it sold for a fair price

I won the program, and yes it was for the Bill Froats auto. He's a Tiger auto that I've needed for at least ten years. It closes a gap for me, and now I'll have all of the Tigers autos from 1933-present. It's the only Froats auto I've seen come up for sale. If his name was in the auction title, it may have gone for more.

Congratulations Jim! That's quite an accomplishment. Who are you missing from 1932?

Thanks!
I need five Tigers autos to complete the 1930s. If anyone has a lead on any of these, I would greatly appreciate it.

Orlin Collier
Johnny Grabowski
George Quellich
Don Hankins
Johnny Watson

Personally, Watson was the one I never encountered …
 

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… since I started collecting Tigers autographs back in 1990.

Jim, what type of medium are you accepting ? Flats only or team baseballs too ? I might be able to help on some of those listed if baseballs acceptable.

The Grabowski is out there; especially on team signed sheets & balls.

Collier is tough to find but does appear once-in-a-blue moon on signed balls. I battled Jack Smalling in an auction for a signed Tigers team sheet with Collier. When I chatted afterwards with Jack, he said he bought the sheet just for the Collier.

I actually encountered fewer Hankins signatures than Collier. Just two; a signed album page and on the sweet spot of a Tigers team baseball.

Not sure why Quellich tough other than he had a short career. I had a couple of 3x5s I won years ago in a couple of Smalling auctions and a signed page in a 1932 Detroit Tigers team focused scrapbook

Good luck on the hunt !!!

This thread has so much of what I love about the hobby. People helping each other, deep hobby knowledge, and learning about collection focuses that make obscure players extremely desirable.

Hi Vincent,
Now I’m really curious - how far are you on Tigers autos?
So far, I’ve been 100% flats. I’m probably 85% cards and index cards, and 15% cuts. In fact, this is Froats will be the biggest auto I have in terms of the medium it’s signed on. If you have any of those available on a flat, I would definitely be interested.

I completely agree!

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Hi Jim. My Detroit Tigers focus was primarily from years 1900-1945. But I did not hesitate to add toughies like Froats (team baseball), Bob Christian (several items including couple of contracts), or afew Detroit Wolverines. For period of 1900-1945 I had just over 80% of the ballplayer signatures. I sold nearly all of my collection 3 years ago. But even now I am finding the occasional misplaced item. And I have all of my team signed baseballs.

I may have Quellich signature on a page in the 1932 Detroit scrapbook I mentioned earlier. Hankins (1927 Detroit team) and Collier (1938 Nashville team) would be on baseballs.

This is my Froats. Jim I may be able to help you on your last 5 wants as well. Let me see what I have & let you know.

Also, if anyone has a lead on 1933 Phillies Charlie Butler, please let me know, he is last person I need for my 1933 to present MLB Debut Auto Collection.

Thanks,

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Jim,

Sounds like Giovanni might be your “go-to” guy for those five 1932 debut autographs.

That would be great.


Vincent

Great thread and it was moved from the Memorabilia section to get a few more eyes on it.
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In the world of programs that usually means a couple of buyers knew something the seller didn't.

EDIT: Note to self, read entire thread before posting, but at least I wasn't wrong!

Awesome

That Froats is beautiful, and on an index card, no less. Fantastic.

Thank you, any help would be appreciated.