Wes Ferrell and Rick Ferrell Signed Ball and Related Handwritten Postcard

Sold For:

$480

Year:

1975

Auction:

2017 Fall

Lot #:

1672

Category:

Autographed Baseballs/Flats/Photos

Official American League (Cronin) ball signed in blue fine-point marker by Hall of Fame catcher Rick Ferrell and his brother, star pitcher Wes Ferrell. Rick has signed on a side panel, while Wes has signed across the sweet spot. Both signatures are boldly scripted and grade "10." This ball originates from a large single-signed ball collection that was amassed during the mid 1970s by a gentleman named Charles Carter, who obtained his autographs the old fashioned way: By mail. His modus operandi at the time was to write the player asking if he would be kind enough to sign a ball. The player would then respond via an enclosed prepaid postcard. If the answer were yes, Carter would ship the ball. If not, well, he was out only the cost of two stamps and a little bit of his time. Most players, however, were more than happy to oblige, with the Farrell brothers being no exception. This was the only dual-signed ball we found in Carter's collection and is is certainly a rare example, as we have never seen another signed by the Farrell brothers alone. Included with the ball is the postcard Wes sent back to Carter on February 6, 1976, which reads "OK, yes I would sign your ball - thank you, Wes Ferrell." Both the text and Ferrell's signature are scripted in blue ink and grade "10. "This is one of 54 signed balls from the Carter Collection featured in this auction, (10 are being offered individually, while the other 44 are featured as a single lot). Aside from some very light toning, the ball remains in Near Mint condition. The postcard (5.5 x 3.25 inches) is in Excellent to Mint condition. Full LOAs from Steve Grad and Brian Sobrero/Beckett Authentication and SGC Authentic. Reserve $200. Estimate (open).