1919 Fred Merkle Chicago Cubs Contract and Payroll Check

Sold For:

$1,500

Year:

1919

Auction:

2021 Spring

Lot #:

2217

Category:

Autographed Baseballs/Flats/Photos

Chicago Cubs contract and payroll check issued to Fred Merkle in 1919. 1) Official "National League Player's Contract" dated April 23, 1919, between Fred Merkle and the Chicago National League Ball Club. Signed on the interior in black fountain pen by "Fred C. Merkle" (grading "7") and team executive "Fred F. Mitchell" ("8"). (The signature of National League president John Heydler on the front is a stamped facsimile.) The four-page agreement calls for Merkle to receive a salary of $760 per month for the 1919 season. The contract (8.5 x 14 inches) displays three horizontal folds and a few light creases. In Excellent condition. 2) Chicago Cubs payroll check, dated September 29, 1919, issued to and endorsed by Fred Merkle. The check, drawn on the Lake View State Bank of Chicago, Illinois, is made out in the amount of $380. Signed in black fountain pen ("10") by team president William L. Veeck in the lower right corner. Endorsed by "F. Merkle" in pencil (grading "8") on the reverse. A second endorsement, which appears to read "Ernst J. K. Merkle" appears below Fred Merkle's signature. The check (8.25 x 3.75 inches), which has normal bank cancellation stamps and holes (none of which affect Merkle's signature) displays a vertical fold and a diagonal crease in the upper right corner. In Very Good to Excellent condition. 1919 marked Merkle's third season with the Cubs. Merkle appeared in 133 games that year, finishing the season with 3 home runs, 62 RBI, and a .267 average. A fine first baseman for sixteen seasons, Merkle, of course, will forever be remembered for his base-running mistake, known today as "Merkle's Boner," in a 1908 game against the Chicago Cubs that eventually cost the Giants the pennant. This lot originates from the extraordinary collection of a longtime Chicago Cubs executive, Eldred "Salty" Saltwell, which is consigned to this auction by his family. The collection, which includes a remarkable array of contracts, checks, and other related documents and mementos, will be presented over a series of auctions and will offer publicly for the first time many significant items spanning decades of Chicago baseball. Total: 2 items (contract and check). Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA.  Reserve $200. Estimate (open).