Auction Item Details
Lot 180
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Lot Number: 180
Description: The Commander in Chief Master Set of Twenty-One Presidential Autographed Baseballs (1901-2026).President Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) - Dated May 30, 1918 and signed for Detroit Tigers owner Frank Navin.
Red and blue stitched Reach Official American League baseball is signed “T. Roosevelt” and dated “May 30th 1918” on the side panel. Fountain pen signature rates 7/8 to 8 out of 10 and the ball has mild soiling throughout along with some minor scattered surface wear. Stampings remain bold and well defined. It was signed at the behest of Detroit Tigers owner Frank Navin who in turn donated it to be sold at auction with the proceeds to benefit Detroit’s Navy recruiting fund. Ultimately bought by R.H. Collins, then President of the Cadillac division of General Motors for a bid of $1,500 and remained within the Collins Family until the early 2000s. An investment of $1,500 in the U.S. stock market (S&P 500 equivalent) at the beginning of 1918 would be worth approximately $84.46 million in 2026 assuming all dividends were automatically reinvested. The ball is pictured in an article which was published in the era and was likely done by General Motors which discusses the day it was signed and the Collins acquisition. A notarized letter signed by Collins’ grandson relays that he was gifted the ball for his 18th birthday. Roosevelt signed baseballs should be considered the rarest among all Presidents and it is believed that the offered is one of only two known. The other resides in the permanent collection of the Baseball Hall of Fame - gifted by the legendary Walter Johnson. This is the only example which has been sold publicly and alongside William Howard Taft represents the cornerstone of any “complete” collection. Roosevelt ball includes full LOAs from PSA/DNA and JSA, signed letter of provenance from Edwin Collins, and the original publication article referenced above.
President William Howard Taft (1909-1913) - inscribed to Hall of Famer Fred Clarke.
Orange and black stitched Spalding Official National League baseball with a “TJ Lynch 1910” stamp applied. Personalized spanning the sweetspot and signed on a side panel, “For Fred Clarke, with best wishes, Wm H. Taft.” Fountain pen signature and handwriting rate 6-6/7 out of 10. Ball displays mild toning/discoloration with some scattered surface wear. An included letter of provenance handwritten by Clarke’s granddaughter relays that she was gifted the ball by Clarke in 1954. Taft and Clarke had shared a moment over (4) decades prior when the then President appeared in Pittsburgh for “Taft Day.” As relayed in a period newspaper article Taft signed a ball and inscribed it in a nearly identical manner (article mentions that it was dated, an oversight which is easy to understand in their gathering of facts for the story) for the Pirates star. One of only three examples of a Taft single signed baseball known to exist and the only one that has been offered publicly. Two others reside in the permanent collection of the Baseball Hall of Fame having been donated by Walter Johnson and Ray Schalk. Taft ball includes full LOA from JSA and signed letter of provenance from Helen Dee Duerr
President Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921) - Dated April 20, 1916 and first pitch attributed ball from the collection of Hall of Famer Tom Connolly.
Red and blue stitched Reach Official American League baseball has Ban Johnson facsimile signature on the side panel. Signed “Woodrow Wilson” across the sweet spot in fountain pen rating 6-6/7 out of 10. The ball resided in the collection of Hall of Fame umpire Thomas Connolly for decades and first entered the collecting world through the sale of many relics from his career which took place at Sotheby’s in 2005 and has remained in this private collection for the past two decades. He was among the most respected arbiters of the era and oversaw a number of the most important games of the early 20th Century. There were several baseballs within his collection which originated from notable events and all had notations throughout done in similar style to those which are handwritten on the offered example. April 20, 1916 date is below Wilson’s autograph and other panels have jottings which note the game score, participating umpires, pitching batteries, and the “Washington D.C.” location. As relayed in a New York Herald article published the following day, “The President tossed out the first ball to umpire Tommy Connolly and he did not leave his box near the Washington bench until the final out.” Wilson and his wife witnessed the great Walter Johnson lead the Senators to victory over New York. President Wilson suffered a debilitating stroke in 1919 that left him largely incapacitated and unable to fulfill public requests including some autograph inquiries. Among the small population of authentic Wilson autographed baseballs known, the offered is among the very best with regard to condition that remains in private hands. Wilson ball includes full LOAs from PSA/DNA and JSA.
President Warren G. Harding (1921-1923) - Dated April 13, 1921, Opening Day in Washington.
Red and blue stitched Reach Official American League baseball has Ban Johnson facsimile signature on the side panel. Signed “Warren G. Harding” across the sweetspot in fountain pen rating 7 to 8 out of 10 and dated “April 13 / 21.” Harding was in Washington as the Senators opened their season and threw out the first pitch in what had now become tradition. He had been sworn in as President just over a month prior and would pass while still in office on August 2, 1923. He would attend just one other opening day during his time in office thus we can conclude that there are but a handful of baseballs which he likely signed and even fewer still survive to this day. There are just four confirmed examples: Two reside in the permanent collection of the Baseball Hall of Fame (donated by Walter Johnson and Ray Schalk) and there is one other which has reached the open market. This example has been in this private collection for over 25 years. Harding ball includes full LOA from JSA
President Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929)- Dated Opening Day, 1921 - The Vice President attends with Warren G. Harding>
Red and blue stitched Reach Official American League baseball has Ban Johnson facsimile signature on the side panel. Signed “Calvin Coolidge April 13, 1921” in fountain pen rating 7-8 out of 10. The then newly sworn-in Vice President was in attendance with President Warren G. Harding. It is believed that Woodrow Wilson was also in attendance marking what was likely the only occasion when three men who have served the highest office in the land were together at a baseball game. This baseball sold at Sotheby’s in 2005 and has remained within this private collection for over 20 years. Coolidge ball includes full LOAs from PSA/DNA and JSA
PRESIDENT HERBERT HOOVER (1929-1933) - ONE OF THE FINEST KNOWN, GRADED PSA/DNA “8”, EX-GEDDY LEE COLLECTION (LEAD SINGER OF RUSH)
Reach W. Harridge Official American League baseball, signed “Herbert Hoover” on the side panel in fountain pen. Autograph is graded “8” by PSA. Unlike his predecessor Calvin Coolidge, President Herbert Hoover was a genuine, lifelong baseball fanatic who actively played the sport as a child and college shortstop. In 1930, during the onset of the Great Depression, Babe Ruth famously held out for a massive contract extension with the New York Yankees. When a reporter pointed out that Ruth’s requested $80,000 salary was more money than President Hoover’s annual $75,000 income, Ruth delivered an iconic, unapologetic response:”I know, but I had a better year than he did.” While Hoover was known to sign baseballs for use as awards to young players, the offered example should be considered among the very best, if not the singular best, extant. This baseball sold for $214,000 when last offered at auction in December of 2023. Hoover ball includes full LOAs from PSA/DNA (signature graded “8”) and JSA
President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-1945) - our longest serving President inscribes a ball to Clark Griffith in 1937.
Reach W. Harridge Official American League baseball signed “For Clark Griffith, from Franklin D. Roosevelt” and is dated “April 29, 1937.” Fountain pen signature rates 7-8 out of 10. Roosevelt appeared at Griffith Stadium to throw out the first pitch of the 1937 season in early April when Clark Griffith was then owner of the Washington Senators, a team he had managed for nearly a decade before assuming control of the franchise. FDR was likely present at more Presidential first pitch games than anyone else in history given his long-standing tenure in our Nation’s Capital. Despite being paralyzed from the waist down due to polio, FDR used his immense love for baseball to project strength, unity, and normalcy to a nation reeling from the Great Depression and World War II. FDR’s most significant impact on baseball history occurred during World War II. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941, Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis wrote to FDR asking if Major League Baseball should be suspended for the war effort. FDR famously replied with the “Green Light Letter,” urging the sport to keep playing because it provided a crucial, affordable morale boost for hard-working American citizens. One of the most desirable of all Presidential signed baseballs with the offered example among the very finest of an elite population. Roosevelt ball includes full LOAs from PSA/DNA and JSA
President Harry Truman (1945-1953) - striking example from the ardent baseball fan.
J.DeBeer & Son “Official Babe Ruth League Baseball” has been boldly signed “Harry S. Truman” spanning the sweet spot and a side panel. Ink signature rates 8 out of 10 with strong contrast against the lightly toned surface. Truman was completely ambidextrous, which he used to delight stadium fans. On September 8, 1945, just six days after Japan’s official surrender ended World War II, he became the first left-handed president to toss a ceremonial first pitch. On Opening Day in 1950, he went a step further and threw out two separate first pitches simultaneously, one with his left hand and one with his right hand. The letter “S” in Harry S. Truman does not stand for a full name. It is just the single letter “S.” His parents, John and Martha Truman, deliberately gave him a standalone middle initial as a clever compromise to honor two of his grandfathers at the same time. Truman includes full LOAs from PSA/DNA, JSA, and noted expert John Reznikoff
President Dwight D. Eisenhower (1953-1961) - The Supreme Allied Commander.
Reach W.Harridge Official American League baseball has a large “Dwight D. Eisenhower” signature applied which spans the sweet spot and both adjoining panels. Done in ink, it rates 8 out of 10. President Dwight D. Eisenhower was a highly talented athlete who secretly played professional minor-league baseball under a fake name before his military career took off. Because playing professional sports would instantly disqualify him from West Point’s strict amateur military rules, he played under the assumed fake name “Bob Wilson.” The secret was kept so safe that baseball historians didn’t officially uncover the proof until decades later. “Ike” holds the record for the most hot dogs eaten by a president at a baseball game. During an Opening Day game at Griffith Stadium, press photographers caught Ike completely ignoring the game to devour three hot dogs covered in mustard, a bag of peanuts, and a box of popcorn. When a reporter asked about his appetite, the President laughed and said, “You can’t properly enjoy a ballgame on an empty stomach.” Eisenhower includes full LOAs from PSA/DNA and JSA
President John F. Kennedy (1961-1963) - inscribed to legendary Yankees Hall of Famer Whitey Ford.
Reach J.Cronin Official American League baseball has been signed on the side panel, “To Whitey Ford, from John F. Kennedy.” Ink signature rates 7-8 out of 10. An included letter of provenance signed by Ford relays, “In the early 1960s, during an exhibition game in Palm Beach, Florida, I was approached by a couple of Secret Service agents. After asking me to identify myself, the agents told me that President Kennedy’s father, Joseph Kennedy, had a home in Palm Beach and had requested to see me and several of my teammates. After the game, Yogi Berra, Mickey Mantle, Tony Kubek, and I were escorted by limousine to the elder Kennedy’s home. I had taken twelve baseballs with me and at the end of the day, I asked Mr. Kennedy to have the baseballs signed by his son, John F. Kennedy. A few months later, I received all twelve baseballs, three signed for each player. After all this time, this is the only ball that remains. Kennedy includes full LOAs from PSA/DNA and JSA and aforementioned letter of provenance from Whitey Ford
President Lyndon Johnson (1963-1969) - Opening Day first pitch from Washington, 1965.
Reach J.Cronin Official American League baseball has been signed “Lyndon B. Johnson” across the side panel. Signature rates 7 out of 10. An included handwritten letter of provenance from Steve Ridzik (who played with the Senators from 1963-1965) relays that it was “thrown to players before start of game” and later taken to the President’s box to be signed. Period newspaper articles confirm that Ridzik indeed caught the “first” ball thrown by Johnson, with a second ball thrown which landed up with catcher Mike Brumley. An important and well documented first pitch baseball noting both the letter of provenance and corroborating newspaper articles. Johnson includes full LOAs from PSA/DNA and JSA and aforementioned letter of provenance from Steve Ridzik
President Richard Nixon (1969-1974)
Rawlings B.Brown Official American League baseball has been signed across the sweet spot, “Richard Nixon.” The signature rates 7-8 out of 10. Nixon was an avid, passionate bowler who routinely used the sport to blow off steam. In 1969, he had a private, single-lane bowling alley built directly beneath the North Portico of the White House. He would regularly head down to the basement completely alone late at night, sometimes bowling up to 12 games in a row. On July 20, 1969, Nixon made the longest-distance long-distance phone call in human history. Using a special radio-telephone patch routed through Houston, he called Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin while they were walking on the moon’s surface, telling them their achievement made all Americans infinitely proud. Nixon includes full LOA from JSA
President Gerald Ford (1974-1977)
Rawlings C.Feeney Official National League baseball signed “Gerald Ford” across the sweetspot rating 8-9 out of 10. Following his legendary college football career, Ford received active contract offers to play professional football for both the Green Bay Packers and the Detroit Lions. He turned down both franchises because he preferred to pursue a career in law, ultimately taking a job as a boxing coach at Yale to pay his way through law school. Ford never ran on a national ticket for either President or Vice President. He was appointed Vice President in 1973 under the 25th Amendment after Spiro Agnew resigned, and he automatically ascended to the Presidency in 1974 when Richard Nixon resigned. Ford includes full LOAs from PSA/DNA and JSA
President Jimmy Carter (1977-1981)
Rawlings B.Giamatti Official National League baseball signed “Jimmy Carter” on the side panel rating 8/9 out of 10. This represents one of the nicer examples we have seen given the use of full name and not the more commonly seen “J.Carter” variant. President Carter holds the ultimate presidential longevity records, having reached the age of 101. He has also logged the longest retirement of any president, living over 45 years after leaving the Oval Office in 1981, and celebrated the longest presidential marriage—77 years with his late wife, Rosalynn. Carter includes full LOAs from PSA/DNA and JSA
President Ronald Reagan (1981-1989)
Rawlings B.Brown Official American League baseball has been signed “Ronald Reagan” with the autograph graded PSA/DNA (8 NM-MT) Touch of light toning is noted but does not detract from strong overall eye appeal. Offered for the first time publicly by the original recipient who obtained the baseball at Jimmy Fund charity event in Boston. Reagan famously kept a massive jar of Jelly Belly jelly beans on the Resolute Desk in the Oval Office. He originally started eating them in 1966 while Governor of California as a psychological trick to help him successfully quit smoking a pipe. His favorite flavor was licorice, and his administration ordered over 300,000 jelly beans per month for White House events. Reagan includes full LOA from PSA/DNA (8 NM-MT)
President George H.W. Bush (1989-1993)
Rawlings B.Brown Official American League baseball signed “George Bush” in ink rating 8 out of 10. Because of his deep love for baseball, Bush kept his actual, vintage Yale first baseman’s glove tucked inside the top drawer of the Resolute Desk throughout his entire presidency. He would regularly pull it out to show visiting dignitaries or to oil the leather between high-stakes policy meetings. George H.W. Bush includes full LOAs from PSA/DNA and JSA
President Bill Clinton (1993-2001)
Rawlings B.Brown Official American League baseball has been signed in ink rating 8-9 out of 10. President Clinton is a highly accomplished jazz saxophonist who famously played “Heartbreak Hotel” on The Arsenio Hall Show during his 1992 campaign. His musical talents later earned him two separate Grammy Awards for Best Spoken Word Album (one in 2004 for his autobiography My Life and another in 2005 for the children’s audio track Peter and the Wolf). Clinton belongs to a unique statistical anomaly in modern American history: he is left-handed. He shared this trait with his immediate predecessor (George H.W. Bush). Clinton includes full LOA from PSA/DNA
President George W. Bush (2001-2009)
Rawlings B.Selig Official Major League baseball has been signed in ink rating 8-9 out of 10. Long before entering politics, President Bush assembled a group of investors in 1989 to purchase the Texas Rangers baseball franchise. He served as the managing general partner for the team, routinely sitting in the open stadium stands with fans, which massively boosted his public profile in Texas before his successful run for Governor. George W. Bush includes full LOAs from PSA/DNA and JSA
President Barack Obama (2009-2017)
Rawlings B.Selig Official Major League baseball has been signed “Barack Obama” in marker with the autograph graded “9” by PSA/DNA. President Obama made history by becoming the first African American President in the nation’s history. Like Jimmy Carter and Bill Clinton, Obama has a highly decorated background in the recording arts. He has won three separate Grammy Awards for Best Audio Book, Narration, and Storytelling Recording—earning his trophies for the audio versions of his books Dreams from My Father (2006), The Audacity of Hope (2008), and his presidential memoir A Promised Land (2022). Obama includes full LOA from PSA/DNA
President Donald Trump (2017-2021 and 2025-present)
Rawlings B.Selig Official Major League baseball has been signed “Donald Trump” across the sweet spot in marker rating 7 to 8 out of 10. Long before his real estate career, Trump was a hard-throwing first baseman and captain for the New York Military Academy baseball team. His high school coach famously noted that major league scouts from both the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Red Sox actively watched him play, and Trump later claimed he chose real estate because there was “no money in baseball” at the time. Donald Trump includes full LOAs from PSA/DNA and JSA
President Joe Biden (2021-2025)
Rawlings R.Manfred Official Major League baseball has been signed “Joe Biden 7-24-19” in ink rating 9 out of 10. Biden is famously obsessed with classic American muscle cars. His prize possession is believed to be a pristine, Goodwood Green 1967 Corvette Stingray convertible, which was given to him as a wedding present by his father, who ran a local Delaware car dealership. Because the Secret Service strictly bans sitting presidents from driving on public roads, he only gets to drive it on closed tracks or private property. Biden includes COA from PSA/DNA
Estimated Price Range: Estimate Upon Request
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