Q: Earliest baseball card signatures?

[sreader3]

1. What’s the oldest card signed by a player shown on the card?

2. What’s the first documented instance of a player signing a card on which he is shown?

Does anyone have a guess on 1 or 2?

(Sorry if it has been discussed).

[oldjudge]

There was a full set of 1872 Red Stocking cabinets that we're auctioned years ago. All were autographed. They still reside with the person who won that lot.

[sreader3]

Thanks Jay. That answers part 1! (And maybe part 2).

While on topic, what is the situation with signed OJs?

[oldjudge]

One Mack signed on the back. The signature looks like it was late in Mack's life. I know of no others.

[sreader3]

Awesome! Thanks.

[prestigecollectibles]

Autographed Group of (8) 1871/72 Boston Red Stockings Cabinet Cards by Warren Studios
Estimate 50,000 — 60,000 USD
LOT SOLD. 120,000 USD

http://www.sothebys.com/en/auctions/...155/lot.1.html

[edhans]

Originally Posted by sreader3

.

While on topic, what is the situation with signed OJs?

I seem to recall a signed Hoy, but that could just be my memory playing tricks on me. It would be plausible, as he died in the sixties.

[Baseball Rarities]

Originally Posted by edhans

I seem to recall a signed Hoy, but that could just be my memory playing tricks on me. It would be plausible, as he died in the sixties.

REA had this signed Hoy cabinet card five years ago or so.

[Baseball Rarities]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

There was a full set of 1872 Red Stocking cabinets that we're auctioned years ago. All were autographed. They still reside with the person who won that lot.

That is one of my favorite groups of cards ever.

[oldjudge]

Mine too

[GaryPassamonte]

Mine three.

[drcy]

Of non-sport note, people, including celebrities, used CDVs to sign in the 1860s-70s. So you can find early CDVs signed by folks ranging from Charles Dickens to Robert E. Lee