Negro Leagues Autographs and Memorabilia
18 Lots
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Lot 115. Extremely Rare Luke Easter Single-Signed Baseball. Like many black players of his era, Easter was already in his thirties when he was given an opportunity to play in the majors. In 1946-47, he established himself as a power hitter in the Negro Leagues. In his first full season with the Cleveland Indians in 1950, he belted 28 home runs and contributed 107 RBI. He had successful seasons in 1951 and 1952 as well. In following seasons, knee and ankle problems limited his playing time, and then ended his major league career in 1954. In three full seasons and three partial seasons, he hit 93 home runs, drove in 340 runs and batted .274. As a rookie, he hit the longest home run in the history of Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium, a 477-foot shot over the auxiliary scoreboard in right field. Only Mickey Mantle equaled this feat. After the majors, Easter played for Ottawa, Charleston, Buffalo and Rochester in the International League. He was the MVP in 1957. At the age of 48, he finally retired in 1963 and then did some coaching. Rochester and Buffalo each retired his number. In 1979, Easter worked for TRW and served as chief union steward for the Aircraft Workers Alliance. While he was transporting $40,000 for the union, two men confronted him and demanded the money. He refused to give it to them, and they killed him. In 1997, Easter was inducted into the Greater Buffalo Sports Hall of Fame, which cited his “grace and dignity on and off the field” and his “legacy as a friend to the community, a generous soul with plenty of time for any cause.” Bill James has rated him the second-best Negro Leagues first baseman of all time, with only Buck Leonard rating higher. James has also written that “if you could clone him and bring him back, you’d have the greatest power hitter in baseball today, if not ever.” Easter signed the east panel of a Wilson PONY Grads baseball, which is nm-m. His signature is large and strong, mint 9 to gem mint 10. All autographs of Easter are uncommon, and even index-signed cards are offered for $100 and more. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $693.
Lot 118. Quality Starter Group of 29 Autographed Hall of Fame Gold Plaque Postcards. Outstanding collection of crisp autographs, all mint 9s or gem mint 10, except for Koufax, whose signature grades nm-m 8. The cards are signed in ballpoint unless otherwise noted: “Luke” Appling, Earl Averill, James “Cool Papa” Bell (green sharpie), Yogi Berra, Lou Boudreau, Max Carey, Stanley Coveleski, Bill Dickey, Bob Feller, Chas. Gehringer, Lefty Gomez, Burleigh A. Grimes, Billy Herman (fine-tip felt), Waite C. Hoyt (sharpie), Carl Hubbell, Monte Irvin (sharpie), George L. Kelly, Sandy Koufax, Al Lopez (sharpie), Ted Lyons, Rube Marquard (sharpie), Stan Musial, Robin Roberts, Edd J. Roush (sharpie), Joe Sewell (sharpie), Duke Snider (sharpie), Warren Spahn, Wm. H (Bill) Terry and Early Wynn. Twenty-three of these signers are deceased. Authenticated by Kevin Keating. From the Ron Gabriel collection. Proceeds from the sale of this lot will benefit the Society for American Baseball Research, a non-profit membership organization open to all that fosters the research, preservation, and dissemination of the history and record of baseball.
Winning Bid $324.
Lot 123. Satchel Paige Signed Hall of Fame Gold Plaque Postcard. A nm-m 8 to mint 9 autograph in the top left corner is authenticated by Kevin Keating. From the Ron Gabriel collection. Proceeds from the sale of this lot will benefit the Society for American Baseball Research.
Winning Bid $301.
