Toughest 1940's & 1950's Baseball Autographs

[Mr. Zipper]

Flown astronauts are a little over 350. Unflown are a few dozen.

Cosmonauts and taikonauts are a little over 150.

Like anything else, it's the 10% that are really tough for one reason or another.

Unflown guys like Ted Freeman, Charlie Basset, CC Williams and Elliott See are rare because they died early in the program. There are also a few shuttle astros you've never heard of before who sell for huge money because they died prematurely soon after they earned their wings.

Grissom, White and Chaffee (Apollo 1) are not super rare, but in very high demand. Then there is Bill anders (Apollo 8) who hates signing and is uncommon and in high demand. To make it even more fun, Anders intentionally changes how he signs (when he rarely signs) just to mess with collectors.

Armstrong is common, but demand is so high, signed cards sell for $1000. Photos $1500 and up.

Russian tradition was cosmonauts should not sign until after their flight... A superstition they all followed. So, the cosmonauts who died on their first flight are extremely rare. For example, Dobrovolsky and Patseyev who died on Soyuz 11 only exist on a handful of official documents that reside in Russian museums. A few signed items have appeared on the collector market, however many collectors have serious doubts about these items.

There are various subsets such as all 12 moonwalkers on white spacesuit photos, but there is always a catch. For instance, Jim Irwin hated his space suit portrait and almost never signed it. An Irwin WSS unpersonalized would probably sell for $10,000+.

A single item with all 12 moonwalkers would be huge. Only a handful exist. A baseball with 10 (or was it 11) of the 12 just sold at heritage for $21,000 plus.

[Lordstan]

WOW.
I had no idea there were that many. Fascinating stuff.
Thanks for the education. I really do appreciate it.

Now I have to plan the money for an Armstrong. Hmmm.

Best,
Mark

[Gary Dunaier]

Originally Posted by Lordstan

Now I have to plan the money for an Armstrong.

I'd love an Armstrong - who wouldn't? - but I'll settle for my Buzz Aldrin check.

[Mr. Zipper]

Originally Posted by Gary Dunaier

I'd love an Armstrong - who wouldn't? - but I'll settle for my Buzz Aldrin check.

Nice. Back in the late 80s/90s, Aldrin donated a a bunch of these checks to the Space Unit in Queens NY. The Space Unit sold them for the princely sum of $40 and they lasted years.

Wish I bought more than one at that time!

[mrmopar]

Yep, missing Osgood as well. I guess I have to admit that I am a dabbler. Actually I started it all by making a list of players from 1950-present and it got me so involved that I lost the will to do the 1949 and back list…yet. I figure most of those guys are gone already, so no harm in waiting a little longer to find them.

It is fascinating to find these pockets of toughies for what must seem like no good reason. i mean why would a guy who plays a handful of games be so reluctant to sign, especially if a few bucks could be made…but there are enough of them.

I know this is an older range thread, but I am still looking for reasonably priced autos of Robert Giallombardo and Noe Munoz (cards preferred for both, but I think both only have 1-2 cards to choose from), both still living, but obviously not prolific signers.

[etsmith]

There's a 3x5 on e-bay right now, item #231154579278. Not a card but still.

[adambaseball5]

Hey guys.....Just joined the group and have been collecting for 40 years. Been working on 1940's - 1970's for several years. Still need 24 from the 40's but "only" 11 from the 50's. If anyone can help, please let me know! We'll hit the '60's another time. Still need 32 there! Thanks! Adam

1940 - Charlie Frye, Morris "Red" Jones, Max Wilson
1942 - Dick Adkins
1943 - Connie Creeden
1944 - Steve Biras, John Fick, Bob Katz, Leon Riley, Clancy Smyres
1945 - Bill DeKoning, Ty LaForest, Ray Medieros, John Phillips, Lefty Scott
1946 - John Carden, Jim Hopper, Ted Pawelek
1947 - Sal Madrid
1948 - Dummy Lynch, Jerry McCarthy, Earl Turner
1949 - Ed Albrecht, Julio "Enrique" Gonzalez

1950 - Andy Varga
1951 - Eddie Gaedel
1952 - Bill Bell
1954 - Eric Rodin
1955 - Webbo Clarke, Bill Froats, Wence Gonzalez
1956 - Charlie Peete
1957 - Carl Powis
1958 - Gene "Lefty" Hayden, Marcelino Solis

[mrmopar]

Thank you. I have seen that one. That seller has had a few listed over time. I guess despite the apparent scarcity (or lack of interest) for Munoz, I am not ready to pay that for his signature, at least not on a 3x5..

Originally Posted by etsmith

There's a 3x5 on e-bay right now, item #231154579278. Not a card but still.

[jakebeckleyoldeagleeye]

If you base this on the number of people wanting his signature I'd say Willard Brown.

[Chris Counts]

Thanks for bringing back this great topic. I've been seeking autographs of players from the Negro Leagues who played in the minors in the 40s and 50s, and I'm guessing some of these are quite rare. I typically find them on programs. Recently, I've picked up Buster McDaniel and Buster Clarkson (twice), who both played for the Angels in the PCL. I googled each and couldn't find an example.

I'd love to pick up a Willard Brown ...

[earlywynnfan]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

Thanks for bringing back this great topic. I've been seeking autographs of players from the Negro Leagues who played in the minors in the 40s and 50s, and I'm guessing some of these are quite rare. I typically find them on programs. Recently, I've picked up Buster McDaniel and Buster Clarkson (twice), who both played for the Angels in the PCL. I googled each and couldn't find an example.

I'd love to pick up a Willard Brown ...

Who is Buster McDaniel? I have Bus Clarkson on a contract, I can dig it out and post it if you want to check his auto.

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by jakebeckleyoldeagleeye

If you base this on the number of people wanting his signature I'd say Willard Brown.

I don't think Brown is as scarce as some of the others. As a HOF, there's a lot more demand for his autographs. Brown as still alive into the 1990's and you can sometimes find him on Negro League reunion ball.

I have a couple of Puerto Rico contracts of his with his autograph. Here is one from 1941-1942.

[stat192]

Just picked up this 1949 Washington Senators Enrique Gonzalez. Its the first signature of his on a flat item I have ever seen. Its in a team signed notebook of the 1949 - 1950 Marianao Baseball team from the Cuban Winter League.

IMG_0004.jpg

[stat192]

I figured I would revive this thread and hope someone out there can help me

I just need the following autos to complete my 1940 to present autograph collection, any help would be greatly appreciated.

1942
Bert Hodges 01 Phillies

1944
JOHN FICK 58 PHLLIES
BARNEY KOCH 87 DODGERS
CLANCY SMYRES 07 DODGERS

1945
JACK PHILLIPS 58 GIANTS

[JimStinson]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

A single item with all 12 moonwalkers would be huge. Only a handful exist. A baseball with 10 (or was it 11) of the 12 just sold at heritage for $21,000 plus.

If you included Michael Jackson that would be 13 "moonwalkers"

[Exhibitman]

Originally Posted by JimStinson

If you included Michael Jackson that would be 13 "moonwalkers"

[earlywynnfan]

How does Dave Hoskins rate for toughness? I always thought he was pretty hard, I consider myself lucky to have a single-signed ball of his. I'm about to post a team-signed ball with him, but don't want to mislead.

Ken
earlywynnfan5@hotmail.com

[steve B]

Originally Posted by Mr. Zipper

Flown astronauts are a little over 350. Unflown are a few dozen.

Cosmonauts and taikonauts are a little over 150.

Like anything else, it's the 10% that are really tough for one reason or another.

Unflown guys like Ted Freeman, Charlie Basset, CC Williams and Elliott See are rare because they died early in the program. There are also a few shuttle astros you've never heard of before who sell for huge money because they died prematurely soon after they earned their wings.

Grissom, White and Chaffee (Apollo 1) are not super rare, but in very high demand. Then there is Bill anders (Apollo 8) who hates signing and is uncommon and in high demand. To make it even more fun, Anders intentionally changes how he signs (when he rarely signs) just to mess with collectors.

Armstrong is common, but demand is so high, signed cards sell for $1000. Photos $1500 and up.

Russian tradition was cosmonauts should not sign until after their flight... A superstition they all followed. So, the cosmonauts who died on their first flight are extremely rare. For example, Dobrovolsky and Patseyev who died on Soyuz 11 only exist on a handful of official documents that reside in Russian museums. A few signed items have appeared on the collector market, however many collectors have serious doubts about these items.

There are various subsets such as all 12 moonwalkers on white spacesuit photos, but there is always a catch. For instance, Jim Irwin hated his space suit portrait and almost never signed it. An Irwin WSS unpersonalized would probably sell for $10,000+.

A single item with all 12 moonwalkers would be huge. Only a handful exist. A baseball with 10 (or was it 11) of the 12 just sold at heritage for $21,000 plus.

Are the guys from the recently discovered CIA gemini project known? I'd imagine those would be tough.

Steve B

[JimStinson]

Dave Hoskins is VERY tough even though he died in 1970. Most collectors however that collect everyone would want him on a single flat , maybe not a team ball but he would absolutely add value to the ball. I would expect a flat item, cut from album page etc to sell in the $150.00-$200 price range.
_____________________________________
Vintage autographs offered Daily
http://stores.ebay.com/Jim-Stinson-Sports

[btcarfagno]

Just picked up this Herb Gorman 1952 Cardinals team signed sheet. If anyone is looking for Gorman, let me know....

Tom C

[earlywynnfan]

Guess he's not the toughest on multi-signed items, here's a baseball with him.

Ken

[scmavl]

Thanks for ressurecting this thread. I must've missed it the first time around and it was a great read. I always love Jim's stories and insight.

[JimStinson]

Thanks guys I had forgotten all about this thread myself. Since it started I picked up (and sold) a Dizzy Sutherland pictured here
_________________________
jim@stinsonsports.com