195? brooklyn Dodger autograph many questions

[dennyvr]

Hi all, new to the forum, first time poster.
My Dad as a kid got 18 dodger autographs (see pics below) I have many questions.
the autographs are in a book which is sealed by a zipper so the paper and ink are in pristine condition, also in the book are signatures from his classmates.
He got the signatures after a team function at the Hotel Brossert in Brooklyn after a team function.
1. my best guess is 1956 but the Don Elston signature leads me to 57 what do you think? Did Elston join the team late in 56 without dressing?
2. I am not concerned of the authenticity as only my Dad and myself have had this book. Should I still get it authenticated? why?
3. I do not wish to sell the book but what is the value? I feel I should have it insured. (Don Zimmer and Walt Alston are the only two that are back to back)
4. I want to be able to display the autographs but to do that I would need to cut the pages and spend some money to frame into a nice piece with artwork, what affect would this have on value?

Thanks for any input.

[dennyvr]

here is the book and a sked that he kept in it

[ocjack]

First, great gift from your dad.

Second, and as a note of nostalgia, I grew up in New Jersey in the '50's and those autograph books were the "thing" to do when you graduated 6th grade (elementary school). 6th graders would try to get as many of their classmates and teachers to sign their book and there usually was a section at the front where the student could list their favorites songs, best friends, etc. I'm in my 70's and I have my autograph book somewhere in a box somewhere in my home. No ballplayers though.

But my best friend at the time (and still in touch) lived with his parents above a liquor store they owned. Elston Howard was a frequent customer and signed his autograph book to the envy of all of the rest of us.

You have a great keep-sake there. I'm envious. (and love the socks!) (oh, and I would keep the book exactly as it is. The value is more its history than the autograph imho.)

[mr2686]

With just a quick look, they all look legit so I personally wouldn't bother to get them authenticated. Second, since it's a part of your dad's history, I would keep the book intact. I'm sure if you decide to sell it somewhere down the line, someone will take it apart, but I always hate to see that. If you do decide to sell, I'm sure someone on here would want to snap it up.

[mr2686]

As for Elston, he was in the Dodger minor leagues all of 1956 but made the early 57 roster, so it could have been anywhere from off-season 56, to early 57 because he was traded back to the Cubs in May of 57.

[rlevy]

Robinson was traded in Dec. 1956 and I don't believe there were any team dinners after the 1956 WS before he was traded because the team was in Japan playing exhibition games. So it was probably from 1956 at a dinner before the season started and the players flew down to Vero for spring training. That would explain Elston on there as well. I know there was a dinner at the Garden City Hotel with team members and the Dodger Boosters Club in Feb 1956 because I have a copy of the menu.

I would keep it together even if difficult to display because of the history, but if you separate pages there is certainly a market for many of the signatures, especially JR and Campy. There probably is a slight premium in value together, but I don't think the difference is very substantial.