Toughest 1940's & 1950's Baseball Autographs

[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?