Lot 27. First Issue of Sports Illustrated in a Rare, Attractive Slipcase Box. The condition of this inaugural issue, from Aug. 16, 1954, is strong. The magazine shows some light wear on the corners, and the lower right corner has a tiny crease. At the same time, it is free of the stress creases often seen along the spine. What makes it exceptional are the leather-like slipcase and tray that contain it. Previously, we have not seen them. Stamped in gold on the front of the slipcase is “Sports Illustrated, First Issue, August 16, 1954.” The slipcase is ex-m with light wear on the corners and a small impression toward the lower center. The tray that fits into the slipcase shows little wear. Inside the magazine, the three-panel fold-out of Topps 1954 baseball “cards” is nm, free of creases except for the Turley card. Unusual and desirable “Sports Illustrated” and baseball collectible!
Winning Bid $528.
Lot 28. Very Scarce Autograph of Bruce Smith, 1941 Heisman Trophy Winner. Among Heisman winners, only the autographs of Nile Kinnick and possibly Ernie Davis are more difficult to obtain. This example of Smith’s signature in pencil is bold and large, filling a 5” x 3” section of paper from left-to-right. Smith received the Heisman Trophy two days after Japan bombed Pearl Harbor. Subsequently, he enlisted in the U.S. Navy, became a fighter pilot and won Player of the Year honors in Armed Forces football. At the University of Minnesota before WWII, he was a master at breaking free for long-runs. He led the Gophers to consecutive 8-0 seasons and national titles in 1940 and 1941. In the 1941 Iowa game, he sat out the first half with an injury. He played in the second half, however, touching the ball seven times, scoring five touchdowns and leading Minnesota to a 34-13 win. He was the MVP of the 1942 College All-Star Game. After WWII, he played four seasons in the NFL, with Green Bay and the LA Rams. He was only 47 when cancer claimed his life in 1967. After cancer was diagnosed, he spent several months visiting young cancer patients with Rev. William Cantwell. By the time he passed away in December, he had lost more than half of his body weight. For his service to the children he visited, Rev. Cantwell nominated Smith for sainthood. Smith’s signature is a10 authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $1,716.
Lot 29. Rare 1941 Bruce Smith (Heisman Winner) Photo Signed by 10 Minnesota Teammates! Dated Sept. 10, 1941, this 8” x 10” b&w photo pictures Smith flanked on each side by five of his Gophers teammates. A flashy halfback, he led Minnesota to undefeated national championships in 1940 and 1941. His 1941 performance earned him the Heisman Trophy. The photo is autographed by Bob Fitch, Warren Plunkett, Bill Daley, Dick Wildung (died 2006), Bob Sweiger (d. 1975), Leonard Levy (d. 1999), Gene Flick, Helge Pukema (d. 2004), Urb Odson (d. 1986) and Bill Baumgartner (d. 1981). Smith did not sign. After college, he and eight of these teammates eventually played pro football. Smith, Wildung and Odson all took the field for Green Bay. The Packers drafted Pukema and Flick, but they did not play. Plunkett and Levy each spent a season with Cleveland, and Daley, Sweiger and Baumgartner had brief careers in the AAFC. The photo is heavily creased throughout. The autographs are nm-m 8 to gem mint 10 and have been authenticated by Kevin Keating. Smith’s autograph, which is extremely scarce, is offered immediately above. His autograph and this signed photo, which may very well be unique, will make excellent companion pieces!
Winning Bid $180.
Lot 30. Rare, Uncataloged Pittsburgh “Your 1973 Steeler Album” Near Set of 46 Cards. From the “Post-Gazette,” which issued similar newspaper “cards” for the Pirates in the same period. These cards are 7” x 6.5”, with two players per card panel surrounded by a black & white border. Biographical information is provided below each photo. Key players are #3 Bleier, 4 Blount, 6 Bradshaw, 14 Fuqua, 16 Gerela, 17 Gilliam, 19 Greene, 20 Greenwood, 21 Ham, 25 Ernie Holmes, 29 Mansfield, 35 Russell and 42 White. Missing are #23 and 24, which likely are Terry Hanratty and Franco Harris. All of the card panels have been neatly clipped from the newspaper. All but 29-30 Mansfied-McMakin have a black border on all sides. They average ex-m. We have NEVER seen this issue before.
Winning Bid $291.
