Early HOF Signatures a Big Draw at Collect Auctions

Bidding ends Thursday, Nov. 29 for Collect Auctions' latest sale, with items related to Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, John McGraw and Cy Young. Virtually every attainable Hall of Famer has a signature in the auction, with many coming from a single collector who meticulously assembled a collection from the first HOF induction up through Mickey Mantle (1974). Many of the signatures are very high-end examples.

Highlights include: Babe Ruth signed check and cut signature, Cy Young signed newspaper photo (graded PSA/DNA 10) and index card, Lou Gehrig cut signature, Walter Johnson signed index card, Kiki Cuyler signed 1934 Goudey card, Ty Cobb group of three signed checks and a signed index card, Roberto Clemente signed 1957 Topps card, Jackie Robinson signed 8x10 photo, Chief Bender signed GPC, Hugh Duffy signed GPC, Grover Alexander signed index card and more.

Virtually all of these signatures arrived in PSA/DNA slabs. Other signed index cards include: Nap Lajoie, Rabbit Maranville, Harry Heilmann, Honus Wagner, Rogers Hornsby, Mel Ott, Tris Speaker, Paul Waner, Dave Bancroft, Jim Bottomley, Bobby Wallace, Al Simmons, Ed Walsh, Dazzy Vance, Frank Baker, Goose Goslin and more. Herb Pennock (from a check), John McGraw (from a check) and Eddie Collins also have cut signatures affixed to an index card, while there’s also a Kid Nichols cut signature (from a check) affixed to a Kid Nichols Day Program included in the auction.

Signed 8x10 photos include: Mickey Cochrane, Gabby Hartnett, Dizzy Dean, Satchel Paige, Connie Mack, Earl Combs, Ford Frick, Lefty Grove, Jesse Haines, Chick Hafey, Harry Hooper, Sam Rice, Pie Traynor and more.

Finally, two PSA/DNA-graded baseballs are included – Hornsby (signed on the sweet spot and graded 5.5, with a signature grade of 6) and Ray Schalk (signed on the sweet spot and inscribed “Cracker," with a grade of 6.5)

The auction is also loaded with some amazing unopened material, led by a 1972 Topps Baseball Series 5/6 wax box and a 1973 Topps Baseball Series 5 wax box. Also included is a 1973 Topps Baseball Series 4 wax box, 1975 Topps Baseball cello box, 1970 Topps Football Series 1 vending box, 1975 Topps Football cello box, 1971-72 Topps Basketball vending box, 1971-72 Topps Hockey vending box and more.

Other highlights include: 1996 New York Yankees team-signed baseball; Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle signed 8x10 photo (graded PSA/DNA 9); John F. Kennedy signed letter, Lefty Grove’s personally owned radio given to him by his teammates after his 300th win, Lefty Grove’s MLB lifetime pass, 1957 Topps high-grade complete set and a Roger Maris, Mickey Mantle and others signed 8x10 photo.

Also look for a 1982 Donruss complete signed set, 1990 Donruss complete signed set, Arthur Conan Doyls signed handwritten letter with amazing content, Stan Laurel & Oliver Hardy signed ship menu and much more.

Bidders can register at www.collectauctions.com and clicking “Register” in the top right corner. Call (888) 463-3063 with questions.