Auction Item Details
Lot 452
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Lot Number: 452
Description: Lou Gehrig handwritten letter to Gabby Hartnett. In this one-page handwritten letter, Lou Gehrig reaches out to Chicago Cubs catcher, and fellow future Hall of Famer, Gabby Hartnett. On behalf of his mother, Gehrig requests a copy of a poem she heard on a radio program during which Hartnett had recently appeared. Penned on Gehrig's personal letterhead, it reads, "Dear Gabby, My mother has requested me to drop you a line to see if you wouldn't send her the poem, 'When Father Played Baseball' that you had on the radio tonite (Tuesday). Shake your tails and win, or we'll be disappointed as hell - Joe, Pat and I are always talking and asking about you. My best, Lou". Accompanying the handwritten letter is a copy of a typewritten reply to Gehrig apparently from the host of the radio program acknowledging the fulfillment of Gehrig's request for the poem that had been forwarded by Hartnett. This missive ends with the lines, "Today I am sending under separate cover for her [Gehrig's mother] a copy of the book in which the verse, "When Father Played Baseball" appears. Will you see that she gets it, and believe me when I say to you that it comes with the best wishes of one who has been a great admirer of her son". This reply is dated October 13, 1937. Given this date, it is likely that the Joe and Pat that Gehrig refers to in his letter are teammates Joe DiMaggio and Pat Malone. Gehrig's black fountain pen writing rates 9 out of 10 in boldness. The 7 1/4"x10 1/2" letter itself has typical fold lines and some scattered, unobtrusive wrinkles. Two small holes from a single staple are present to the left of Gehrig's printed name at top. Gehrig handwritten letters are notably scarce with the "Hall of Famer to Hall of Famer" aspect of the offered specimen making it a particularly appealing example. Includes LOA from JSA: EXEstimated Price Range: ($5,000-$7,000)
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