Auction Item Details
Lot 168
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Lot Number: 168
Description: 1917 New York Giants team autographed baseball. Lightly toned Official NL baseball is signed by (26) members of the NL Champion Giants incl. Hall of Fame manager John McGraw, Jim Thorpe, the entire starting line-up, and all starting pitchers-Heinie Zimmerman, Art Fletcher, Chas. [Buck] Herzog, Al DeMaree, Geo. Burns, John Lobert, Fred Anderson, Dave Robertson, Lew McCarty, H. [Herman "Germany"] Schaefer-sitting directly above McGraw, John McGraw, H.F. [Slim] Sallee, Joe Wilhoit, Wm. Rariden, J.C. [Rube] Benton, J.J. Onslow, Thorpe, Geo. Gibson, W. Holke, J.J. [Red] Murray, Chas. [Jeff] Tesreau, F. M. [Ferd] Schupp, Jim Smith, W.D. [Pol] Perritt, Al Baird, B. [Bernie] Kauff, and a H. [Germany] Schaefer. Thorpe's signature dates the ball to the early part of the season as he was sold to the Reds mid-year. And while it is not known exactly why Schaefer was present, he was a good friend of McGraw's and was himself a baseball legend. It is likely that he was scouting for the Giants at the time - something he was known to do and something he was in the process of doing when he died in May of 1919 at the age of just 43. Schaefer's signature is one of the most coveted of all non-hall of fame autographs by collectors. It is exceedingly rare in any form and this is the first we have witnessed on a ball. Sigs range from 2/3 to 7 out of 10 with the vast majority remaining clearly legible. Pre-1920 championship team signed baseballs of quality are exceedingly rare with the offered example among the finest we have encountered. Includes LOA from JSA: Ball: EX, Signatures: Range GD/VG-EX/MTEstimated Price Range: ($4,000-$5,000)
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