1955 Willie Mays Signed Bowman Baseball-Card Contract

Sold For:

$2,280

Year:

1955

Auction:

2020 Fall

Lot #:

1867

Category:

Autographed Baseballs/Flats/Photos

One-page contract, dated April 28, 1955, between Willie Mays and the Bowman Gum, signed in blue fountain pen by both "Willie Mays" (grading "7") and Bowman Gum executive Joan Crosby, who has also signed the contract again as a witness. The contract, which is an extension of a 1951 agreement between the parties, extends the company's right to use Mays' name, likeness, and facsimile signature on its bubble-gum cards in exchange for "good and valuable consideration" for a further period of five years from its expiration. The original contract date is listed as May 28, 1951, which was Mays' rookie season in the Majors. It is important to note that this contract was signed by Mays during the height of the bubble-gum war between Topps and Bowman. Topps eventually won out and 1955 turned out to be the last year that Bowman would issue baseball cards. The contract (8.5 x 11 inches) displays two horizontal folds, a torn staple hole in the upper left corner, and several small chips along the right border. In Very Good condition overall. Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA. Reserve $300. Estimate (open).