Auction Item Details
Lot 31
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Lot Number: 31
Description: June 21, 1950 Willie Mays San Francisco Giants Purchase Agreement Document from Birmingham Black Barons. Willie Mays personal file copy of the document letter written on June 21, 1950 from John Schwarz of the New York Giants to Edward Montague of the with content regarding the agreement to purchase the rights to Willie Mays from the Birmingham Black Barons for $10,000. The document is on New York Giants letterhead with fascinating content regarding the details of the contract negotiations between the Giants, Birmingham Black Barons, and Mays' family. It reads, in part, "Since organized baseball has a treaty with the Negro Leagues, Birmingham is regarded as having a clear title to him. I finally closed the deal with Mr. Hays for $10,000." This agreement also further corroborates that Schwarz rather than Montague, as believed for some time, was formally behind Mays' signing and Montague was simply given the documents to execute. Unsigned file copy paper with some minor edge wear and unsigned by Schwarz. Interesting and significant document with relation to Mays' earliest days of his professional career. Includes certificate of provenance from the Willie Mays Collection: EXEstimated Price Range: ($1,500-$3,000)
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