Toughest 1940's & 1950's Baseball Autographs

[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

[mschwade]

Originally Posted by 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

Welcome! Nice to finally have you on the board, Adam!

[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.

[mrmopar]

Thought I would revive this as it is always an interesting subject. I ended up getting both Giallombardo and Munoz, but never did get Osgood.

[TakingStock]

Originally Posted by mrmopar

Thought I would revive this as it is always an interesting subject. I ended up getting both Giallombardo and Munoz, but never did get Osgood.

Thanks! This is a great thread. Does anyone know how tough of an autograph Herb Crompton is (1945 Yankees)?

[Topnotchsy]

I discovered that I have a Wimpy Quinn autograph. He played in the 1945 Navy All-Star game which is where this ball is from. Here's a pic if anyone is interested and thanks to the OP for putting together the list.

[theshleps]

who are the toughest from the 60's?

[Seattle Dave]

Sorry for reviving such an old thread, however I'm interested in getting some sort of estimated value for a Woody Crowson signature.

The signature is on a 4x6 index card with a typed title “Philadelphia Athletics of 1945” and includes the signature of Woody Crowson, who played 1 game in the big leagues and passed away at the age of 28.

This card was obtained by my father who was an autograph collector from the early 1940’s until is death in 1994. He was a member of the press in the 1940’s & 1950’s in the Seattle area, and one of the original contributors to “Sports Condensed News”, which I believe is one of the first publications to feature articles on memorabilia collecting.

This card has never been sold, owned by another dealer, or offered for sale.

My father was good friends with fellow Seattle area autograph collector Ralph Winnie. As a kid in the early 1980’s I remember Ralph pestering my dad for one particular autograph, I can’t remember if this was the item of interest.

There are total of 31 signatures on the card. Some of the other signatures of interest are:
Frankie Hayes – 6 time all star who died in 1955 at age 40
Russ Christopher – an All Star who died in 1954 at age 37
Don Black – an All Star who died in 1959 at age 42
Connie Mack – manager, deceased 1956
Al Simmons – coach, deceased 1956

Appreciate any help, Dave

[earlywynnfan]

Time to bring this one back. Is anyone familiar with Al McLean? I just got a huge grouping from the Winnie collection, and he was in it on a postal receipt, so I figure he must be tough.

[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.

[jerseygary]

I'm guessing he meant to type BOOKER McDaniel, played for the KC Monarchs in the 1940s and then with the PCL LA Angels.

[Chris Counts]

Yes, I meant Booker. He's pitching for the Angels.

[roarfrom34]

This is the first time I'm reading this interesting thread....Being an Orioles autograph collector, I never realized that Carl Powis was that difficult:

[earlywynnfan]

Anyone know Jim Manning's story? Pitched for the Twins briefly as a teen in 1962, just passed recently. Appears to be quite tough.

[bobw]

Originally Posted by earlywynnfan

Anyone know Jim Manning's story? Pitched for the Twins briefly as a teen in 1962, just passed recently. Appears to be quite tough.

Checked SCN and this was in the comments section for a TTM attempt in 2012..

"Got a note from his wife: "Jim is blind and has major health problems."

[mrmopar]

Being partial to the Dodgers and fascination with the Smyres story, I would check periodically for one, just to see.

Somewhere in the early stages of the Covid shutdown someone listed 2 Smyres autographs. both were steeply priced, I want to say over $1000, maybe more. I can't recall now. Neither appear to have sold on ebay, not that a backdoor deal didn't likely happen for one or both.

While I appreciate a certain value due to scarcity, there also has to be some demand as well. Sometimes it appears the demand is only in the sellers inflated pricing.

I grabbed scans while they were available, along with a ball that was listed at some point.

[stat192]

I recently picked up this signed team photo from the 1955 Mariano Baseball team from the Cuban league. The really tough auto is the Wenceslao Gonzales who played one game in 1955 for the Washington Senators. This is only the second I have ever seen.

[stat192]

Just picked up this John Carden on a 1948 Spring Training Program, it is the first time I have seen Carden on a flat.

I only need 1949 Washington Senators Enrique Gonzalez on a flat, I have him on 2 balls, if anyone has any leads, I would appreciate it.

[mrmopar]

In have enjoyed rereading this thread as it pops up from time to time. I salute those tracking down every MLB player. It is hard enough to track down players from one team, let alone ALL teams. I just don't have the passion (or the willingness to pay huge $ for commons) just to complete the run.

I ended up buying a large lot of Dodger autographs and both Smyres and Nick Polly were included, but neither were mentioned (and the price didn't reflect their inclusion) and both turned out to be reproduction cuts from a magazine.

I have let the older Dodger autograph chase die for now, other than a single obscure guy that catches my attention somehow from time to time, as I try to keep up with the newest members of the team each year and never did make a list of 40s and early guys. Its on my to do list someday. Mookie Betts is making it very hard to finish the LA list (at a price I am willing to pay), although a few other obscurities are still on my wantlist as well. Anyone have any cheap spare Darien Nunez or Justin Bruihl autographs to spare?

[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

[mr2686]

Originally Posted by 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.

Attachment 574010

That is a sweet pickup. Congrats!

[Chris Counts]

A few years back, I picked up an old Pirates batting helmet that reportedly belonged to Lino Donoso. After finding his name listed in this thread as a tough autograph, and reading that Pirates' super scout Howie Hack signed him to a contract in a Mexican brothel, I began my search for his signature. I found it on this Hollywood Stars ball.

[byrone]

Harry O’Neill on a 1939 Philadelphia Athletics ball

Signed at the bottom of the panel

[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