Auction Item Details
Lot 137
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Lot Number: 137
Description: Vice President Thomas R. Marshall single signed baseball attributed to Washington Senators 1917 Opening Day. Red and blue stitched Reach B.Johnson OAL baseball has been signed across the side panel and sweetspot, "Thos. R. Marshall." Period fountain pen signature rates 6/7 to 7 out of 10. Ball displays light even toning with shellac applied over signature. A touch of other light scattered wear has minimal effect on display value with small quarter sized remnant of circle shaped adhesive mount resulting from prior display. League stampings remain generally bold and well defined. Block letter printed notation on a side panel reads, "Opening Game Wash. D.C. 1917." The particular style of handwriting employed bears striking similarity to that of Hall of Fame Umpire Thomas Connolly, who is known to have noted other period balls from high profile events in the same fashion. In addition, Connolly would often have them signed by those involved or other prominent individuals. His collection included the baseball thrown and later signed by Woodrow Wilson on Opening Day, 1916; Wilson did not attend the festivities in 1917 and likely sent Marshall in his place. To be clear, we hesitate to infer that this is the very ball which was thrown to open the Senators 1917 season however, it was most certainly signed that day and likely represents the only Marshall single signed baseball to have surfaced. Includes auction LOA from JSA: VG-EXEstimated Price Range: ($2,000-$4,000)
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