HOF SIGNED 1951 N.Y. Waldorf Astoria Program

[sicollector1954]

Hi…I am possibly looking to sell one of my higher end pieces out of my collection. But first, I am turning here to the forum to find out a "ball-park" value of what I should possible ask. I want as many opinions on this as possible to formulate a value and will then proceed from there. Thanks in advance.
First off, I will tell you everything I know about this signed program. It is the 28th New York Baseball Writers Dinner from 1951. It has impeccable provenance…you can not get any better! All of the signatures were gotten by a gentleman named Sig Wexo. He sat that evening at table #75. I have the seating chart for this dinner and his name is listed. His son, has written an information letter telling me about his father and how he attended this function. I bought this back in 2001 from Sig Wexo's son. It also has a PSA letter from 2001 as well. In addition, on the program is written--"Good luck to the Wexo family" signed... Mickey Cochrane.
Signatures are on all 3 sides of this item…mostly in pencil (side 4 is the minister)….17 are HOF'ers and others including non-baseball.
The names most recognizable include---Ty Cobb (ink) Cy Young…Jimmie Foxx…Mel Ott…Rogers Hornsby…Tris Speaker….Hugh Duffy….Charles "Kid" Nichols….Charlie Gehringer….Pie Traynor…George Sisler…William Harridge…Ford Frick…Hap Chandler…Fred Clarke…Ed Walsh...and as mentioned…Mickey Cochrane.
Others of note include…Eddie Stankey and Ralph Branca as well as the Post Master General at the time….James Farley. I am posting some pics here as well….so thanks for any help on a current market value!

[sicollector1954]

Here are some pics. Thanks!

[daves_resale_shop]

Wonderful piece!

Great lineup of hall of famers... My guess would be on or around $3500

[sicollector1954]

Thanks! I need others to chime in here…trying to get an idea of a firm value in todays autograph market.…so far I have one idea here and two other people in the hobby whom I have contacted and things are still not too clear…Thanks for looking at my post.

[GrayGhost]

agreed w Dave. maybe a bit more, only since this is such an amazing grouping. Needs a specialized buyer tho

[btcarfagno]

In an auction format I don't think it gets that high. This would be a situation where the sum of the parts are greater than the value as a whole. Especially if there are non-HOFer autographs on it as well (I can't tell if that is the case or not). My guess is that, in a retail format (show, store, Ebay BIN etc) it would be $4,000, but at auction through a major house the number would likely be in the $2,500 range.

Such a unique piece though, so it really is just a guess based on somewhat similar-ish items I have tracked over the years.

Tom C

[sicollector1954]

Thanks for your input.

[scottglevy]

I think Tom has a good point - and his estimates for a single sale seem reasonable. Unfortunately slabbed cut sigs of the big names like Cobb Young etc sold individually would probably bring a higher price than this very nice piece.

[sicollector1954]

If anyone wants to reach out and make me an offer close to what has been stated here, I will listen. It saves me a BP and also the buyer as well. I will take out of the frame (very heavy--double sided) and ship overnight with insurance everything listed here…if I have not sold by the middle of the month, it will probably head to auction…Thanks much. Also, if it matters, you can find me with 850 plus feedbacks on Ebay as well..

DAVE