Rare Al Davis Check Surafaces in Touchdown Treasures Sale

Touchdown Treasures’ Dec. 5 football auction is now live, and it serves as the East Coast company’s largest sale to date. Michael Hattley, the owner for 24 years, has assembled a diversity of football collectibles.

The company specializes in unusual and vintage football memorabilia, and Hattley boasts that this auction has something for everyone. Offered in the current auction are 190 items, all football, with the exception of two baseball items. Those two items are a 1930-40s Lou Gehrig store model bat and a Rollie Fingers autographed Mitchell & Ness jersey. The football items range from the early 1900s to 2000s, a full century’s worth of football collectibles.

In its autograph section are 36 lots. The headliner is a 1977 Oakland Raiders signed Al Davis check. According to Hattley, Davis is considered the toughest living HOFer signature to acquire. Hattley added that this item is very unique because it was signed “Allen” Davis.

There is a very early Joe “Willie” Namath autograph which was signed on a dinner banquet program. Also included in this section are several signed footballs: 1978 Pro Bowl (23 signatures), 1991 Miami Dolphins (39 signatures), a Redskins legends ball (five signatures) and a Johnny Unitas ball. There is a wonderful Pro Football Hall of Fame sign autographed by 23 HOFers. Touchdown Treasures also offers several signed full-sized helmets: Bill Parcells, Troy Aikman and Bob Griese.

In its Awards and Jewelry section, offered are 22 lots. The headliners include three Super Bowl replica trophies: Super Bowl VI (Cowboys) signed by MVP Roger Staubach, SB X (Steelers) signed by MVP Terry Bradshaw and a SB XXXIV (Rams).

There is a 1963 Bronko Nagurski HOF salesman sample ring made by Balfour. The ring size is enormous (record at that time) at 19-1/2. There are several Super Bowl, USFL and HOF press pins, including the 1969 Super Bowl III tie clasp. A Super Bowl medallion set, HOF coin set and various Super Bowl watches are also featured.

In the company’s Cards, Sets and Photo section, there are 23 pieces. The headliners are a full 1968 AFL Championship ticket panel (Jets-Raiders), which has both the small and large stub sections and a third part, where the person’s mailing address is attached; a 1926 Amatller Red Grange Spanish card; 1938 Diamond Match cover of Dutch Clark; 1976 Topps original cartoon drawings; various sets and near-sets from 1948 Bowman and Leaf; 1957 Topps; 1967 Philadelphia; 1970 and 1971 Topps and other odd issue cards/photos.

In its Equipment section, there are 30 lots. The headliner is a Cadillac Williams Auburn autographed game-used jersey. There is a great selection of college game-used helmets, replica signed jerseys and other assortments of material.

The Figurals & Statues section features 17 lots, including, a 1974 Joe Namath Esco Statue, which is a 3D likeness of Namath. Also offered is its usual assortment of Fred Kail statues. There are nine pairs of his limited-edition work, which have all been signed and numbered.

The Display section offers 18 items. Featured is a 1948-52 Exhibit display sign which features a rare Chuck Bednarik checklist card right in the middle. According to Hattley, this is considered one of the toughest items in this set. There are three original published artworks by Phil Bissell (Boston Globe cartoonist and the artist for the Patriots’ first logo). There is also an original artwork piece of Namath that hung in the infamous Bachelor’s III nightclub he partially owned. There is also a 1926 Red Grange broadside, along with an assortment of copper logo plaques.

The Nodder section features 46 representations, including an assortment of the different variations such as AFL “Toes-up” Texans; three Black-Face Square Base nodders, including a Redskins piece; regular Square Bases; four Black-Face “Toes-up,” including the Cowboys; the regular “Toes-up,” including three types of variations; the Gold Square Base; “Earpad”; “Realistic” face; the 1965-67 series and the “Merger” series.

In its Pennant section are five items, including a 1973 Washington Redskins 69-inch felt banner pennant. According to Hattley, the pennant hung at the Super Bowl VII dinner banquet. There is also an assortment of the WFL pennants included in this section.

In the auction’s Publication section are five lots, including a freshman Louisville college yearbook of Johnny Unitas. There is an assortment of Street & Smith magazines, including the first issue, 1960 NFL Championship Game program and a grouping of USFL Championship game programs.

All signed items have been authenticated by James Spence (JSA). Bids can be placed at www.touchdown-treasures.com by clicking the “View Live Auction” tab.

Call to register, phone bids and/or e-mail any questions at (203) 532-9214 or mike@touchdown-treasures.com.