Extraordinary Early 1950s Autographed Government Postcard Collection (1,429)

Sold For:

$69,600

Year:

1950

Auction:

2005 Spring

Lot #:

455

Category:

Autographed Baseballs/Flats/Photos

Offered is a simply amazing collection of over 1,400 signed government postcards, which were assembled from 1951 through 1955 by an extremely devoted collector, Jim Davidson. As a youngster, Mr. Davidson wrote to each and every ballplayer in the collection during the early 1950s. He saved his treasured childhood collection for the past 50+ years and has consigned the collection to be sold in its entirety in this auction. This is by far the most extraordinary collection of signed government postcards we have ever offered, both in terms of quantity and quality. The government postcards are each addressed, postmarked, and stamped on one side. Each signature side has been decorated with an image of the player cut from a magazine, newspaper, or yearbook. The signatures are all period (1951-1955) and range in grade from "7" to "10," overall averaging "9." In addition to all the stars of the day, also included are old-timers, including many Hall of Famers, who though long retired in the early 1950s, were still accessible by mail and happy to honor autograph requests from enthusiastic youngsters. Many of the most significant stars and Hall of Famers in the collection are represented by two or more examples (3 Nap Lajoies, 3 Ty Cobbs, 5 Cy Youngs, etc.). Because these are all period, vintage signatures, with early 1950s postmarks which precisely date them, the signatures of many stars, such as Hank Aaron and Mickey Mantle, have a special added dimension of significance and value. Some of many Hall of Famers and Major Stars included in the collection follow (quantities in parentheses): Hank Aaron (postmarked 1954, which was his rookie year), Harry Agganis (2), Walt Alston, Luke Appling (2), Richie Ashburn (4), Earl Averill (2), Frank "Home Run" Baker, Ernie Banks (2), "Chief" Bender (2), Yogi Berra (4), Lou Boudreau, Ken Boyer, Roy Campanella, Fred Clarke (2), Roberto Clemente (postmarked in 1955, which was his rookie year), Ty Cobb (3), Mickey Cochrane (2), Earle Combs (2), Bill Dickey (2), Dom DiMaggio (3), Vince DiMaggio, Larry Doby, Bobby Doerr, Hugh Duffy (2), Leo Durocher, Carl Erskine, Bob Feller (2), Rick Ferrell, Whitey Ford, Nelson Fox (3), Jimmie Foxx (3), Ford Frick, Carl Furillo, Frank Frisch (3), Chas Gehringer (2), Lefty Gomez, "Goose" Goslin, Hank Greenberg (3), Clark Griffith (2), Chick Hafey, Bucky Harris (2), Will Harridge, "Gabby" Hartnett (2), Billy Herman, Gil Hodges, Harry Hooper, Rogers Hornsby (3), Elston Howard (2), Carl Hubbell (2), Monte Irvin, Travis Jackson, Jackie Jensen (3), Al Kaline, George Kell, Charlie Keller, Harmon Killebrew, Ralph Kiner (3), "Chuck" Klein, Ted Kluszewski (2), Larry Lajoie (3), Bob Lemon (2), Freddie Lindstrom (2), Ernie Lombardi, Al Lopez, Connie Mack (3), Mickey Mantle (2), Heinie Manush (2), Billy Martin (2), "Pepper" Martin, Eddie Mathews (5), Willie Mays, Joe McCarthy (4), Joe Medwick, Johnny Mize (2), Stan Musial (3), Hal Newhouser (3), "Lefty" O'Doul, Mel Ott, Satchel Paige, "Pee Wee" Reese, Branch Rickey (2), Eppa Rixey, Phil Rizzuto (3), Robin Roberts (2), Jackie Robinson (2), Edd Roush (2), Red Ruffing (2), Al Schoendienst (2), Joe Sewell (2), Al Simmons, George Sisler (3), Enos Slaughter (2), Warren Spahn, Tris Speaker (2), "Dazzy" Vance, Honus Wagner, Bobby Wallace, Ed Walsh (2), Paul Waner, George Weiss, Hoyt Wilhelm (2), Joe Wood (2), Early Wynn, Cy Young (5). When this collection walked into our offices, it was immediately apparent that this was one of the most exciting and fascinating autograph collections we have had the privilege of offering. This is an amazing collection, not just because of the quantity and quality of the signatures included, but because of the incredible time, energy, and effort which obviously was required for its assembly. The enhanced visual presentation created by the addition of photos to each postcard contributes to making this collection a sight to behold. It is a "collecting miracle" that this collection was ever assembled in the first place, let alone perfectly preserved all these years by its original owner to be offered in this auction, intact as a complete collection. A complete list of the collection is available upon request, and can easily be provided by email in a spread sheet. Total 1,429 postcards. LOAs from James Spence & Steve Grad/PSA DNA and Mike Guterriez/GAI. Reserve $10,000. Estimate $20,000/$40,000. SOLD FOR $69,600.00