1918-1919 Chicago Cubs Payroll Check Collection (65)

Sold For:

$3,360

Year:

1917

Auction:

2023 Spring

Lot #:

2531

Category:

Autographed Baseballs/Flats/Photos

Collection of sixty-five Chicago Cubs payroll checks issued in 1918 and 1919. The signatures of two different Cubs front-office executives appear, respectively, on the front of the checks: Walter Craighead (all from 1918) and William Veeck (all from 1919). The signatures are scripted in either black fountain pen. The checks are made out to (and endorsed on the reverse by) the following players (breakdown by year): 1918 (40): Barber (8/31), two Deal (8/31 and 9/13), two Douglas (8/31 and 9/13), two Flack (8/31 and 9/13), three Hendrix (8/31 and two 9/13), two Hollocher (8/31 and 9/13), two Killefer (8/31 and 9/13), two Knabe (8/31 and 9/13), two Mann (8/31 and 9/13), two Martin (8/31 and 9/13), two McCabe (8/31 and 9/13), two Merkle (8/31 and 9/13), Mitchell (8/31), three O'Farrell (8/31 and two 9/13), three Paskert (8/15, 8/31, and 9/13), two Pick (8/31 and 9/13), two Tyler (8/31 and 9/13), Vaughan (9/13), Walker (8/31), two Wortman (8/31 and 9/13), and Zeider (9/13). 1919 (25): Bailey (10/28), Barber (10/28), Carter (10/28), Daly (10/28), Deal (10/28), Flack (10/28), Friberg (10/28), Hendrix (10/28), Herzog (10/28), Hollocher (10/28), Killefer (10/28), Lear (10/28), Magee (10/28), Mann (10/28), Martin (10/28), McCabe (10/28), Merkle (10/28), Mitchell (10/28 and 12/15), O'Farrell (10/28), Paskert (10/28), Pick (10/28), Robertson (10/28), Tyler (10/28), and Vaughn (10/28). The checks (8.25 x 3.75 inches) all have normal bank cancellation stamps and holes. Flaws included but not limited to: edge tears, folds, and creases. In Good to Very Good condition overall. 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: 65 checks. Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA. Opening Bid $1,000.