Lot 10. 1989 Swell Football Greats Set of 150 Autographed by 97 Hall of Fame Members! Remarkable set missing the signatures of only three HoFers who could have signed: Pete Rozelle, Joe Namath and Sid Luckman. Forty-three of these 97 signers are deceased. Authenticated by Kevin Keating, the autographs are overwhelmingly mint 9 or gem mint 10. A few are nm 7 and nm-m 8, primarily as a result of the contrast between the ink and the background. The signed cards are: #1 Terry Bradshaw, 7 Mel Hein, 10 DON HUTSON, 26 Otto Graham, 28 Steve Van Buren, 29 Bullet Bill Dudley, 36 Willie Wood, 37 Art Shell, 38 Sam Baugh, 39 Mel Blount, 40 Lamar Hunt, 42 Y. A. Tittle, 43 Andy Robustelli, 47 JIM BROWN, 48 Pete Pihos, 49 Hugh McElhenny, 50 TOM FEARS, 52 Ernie Stautner, 53 Joe Perry, 54 Leo Nomellini, 57 Alex Wojciechowicz, 58 Charley Trippi, 58 MARION MOTLEY, 60 CRAZYLEGS HIRSCH, 61 Art Donovan, 69 Paul Brown, 70 Chuck Bednarik, 71 “Bulldog” Turner, 75 George McAfee, 76 Forrest Gregg, 77 Frank Gifford, 78 Jim Taylor, 80 RAY FLAHERTY, 81 Lenny Moore, 82 Dante “Gluefingers” Lavelli, 83 George Connor, 84 Rosie Brown (“HOF 75”), 85 Dick Night Train Lane, 86 Lou Groza (“The Toe”), 88 Tony Canadeo, 89 Joe Schmidt, 90 Jim Parker (“Colts 77”), 91 Raymond Berry, 92 “Ace” Parker, 93 Ollie Matson, 94 Gino Marchetti, 95 Larry Wilson, 96 RAY NITSCHKE, 98 Weeb Ewbank, 99 Lance Alworth (“Bambi, #19, HOF ‘78”), 100 Bob Willis (“Best Wishes”), 101 BART STARR, 102 Gale Sayers, 103 Herb Adderley (“26”), 104 JOHNNY UNITAS, 105 Ron Mix, 106 Yale Lary, 107 Morris Red Badgro, 108 Jim Otto (“00”), 109 Bob Lilly, 110 Deacon Jones, 111 Doug Atkins, 112 Jim Ringo, 113 Willie Davis (“Packers”), 114 GEORGE BLANDA, 115 Bobby Bell, 116 Merlin Olsen, 117 George Musso, 118 Sam Huff, 119 Paul Warfield, 120 Bobby Mitchell, 121 Sonny Jurgensen, 122 Sid Gillman, 123 Arnie Weinmeister, 124 Charley Taylor, 125 Mike McCormick, 126 Willie Brown, 127 O. J. Simpson, 130 Frank Gatski, 131 Willie Lanier, 132 Kenny Houston (“God Bless”), 133 Paul Hornung, 134 ROGER STAUBACH, 135 Len Dawson, 136 Larry Csonka, 137 Doak Walker, 138 Fran Tarkenton, 139 Don Maynard, 140 Jim Langer, 141 John Henry Johnson, 142 Joe Greene, 143 Jack Ham, 144 Mike Ditka, 145 Alan Page, 146 Fred Biletnikoff, 147 GENE UPSHAW and 148 Dick Butkus. This impressive collection of Hall of Fame autographs has tremendous potential break-up value!
Winning Bid $636.
Lot 11. 1933 Steel-Tipped Pen Autograph of College Hall of Fame USC Coach Howard Jones. This large signature is a beauty! As part of a return address on an envelope postmarked in Los Angeles in 1933, it extends for 3.5”. Jones made the University of Southern California a football powerhouse. In 16 seasons there beginning in 1925, he coached the Trojans to seven Pacific Coast Conference titles, four National Championships and five Rose Bowl victories in five appearances. He also won a national title while coaching Yale in 1909. For his career, Jones’ teams won 193 games, lost 63 and tied 20. He coached 19 All-Americans. As a coach, Jones strongly emphasized sportsmanship, which is captured in the following example: Visiting the Stanford locker room before its game with USC in 1935, Jones saw Bobby Grayson, the Indians’ All-America halfback, pulling on long stockings to hide an injured knee. Jones told Grayson to put on just one stocking, on the side with the bad knee. “That way,” he said, “we’ll know which one not to hurt. I’ve already told my players not to take advantage of your injury.” He and his players were true to his word; Grayson was not hit on the injured leg during the game. Jones was only 56 when he died in 1941. The envelope containing Jones’ signature is torn closely to the left of his first name. The signature intersects with a portion of the address and otherwise has the characteristics of a mint 9. Kevin Keating authenticated the autograph.
Winning Bid $148.
Lot 12. 1972 Steelers vs. Raiders “Immaculate Reception” Game Program and “Press” Coverage. Ex+ 118-page program for the Dec. 23 AFC divisional playoff game that featured one of the most famous and controversial plays in NFL history. The play gave Pittsburgh its first playoff victory. With only 22 seconds left in the game, Oakland led, 7-6. The Steelers faced fourth-and-10 on their own 40 yard line when Terry Bradshaw threw the ball toward Frenchy Fuqua at the Raiders’ 35 yard line. The ball, Fuqua and Raiders safety Jack Tatum arrived at a point on the field at the same time. In the aftermath of the collision, Fuqua fell to the ground, and the ball sailed toward Franco Harris, who had run downfield as a receiver. Harris scooped up the ball before it hit the ground and ran for a touchdown. Pittsburgh broadcaster Myron Cope popularized the “immaculate reception” term. The front cover of the program and the first 10 pages show some inoffensive creases. Accompanying the program is the next day’s sports section from the “Pittsburgh Press.” Three photos capturing the event cover most of the first page of the section, which devotes four pages to the game. The section is vg+ to ex with a 2” tear along the fold of the first page.
Winning Bid $429.
Lot 126. 1960s New York Giants Riddell RAC-K2 Game Helmet from Tommy John’s Collection. John purchased this helmet at a charity auction in the 1980s. Manufactured from 1965-69, this type of helmet features Riddell’s Aero-Cell Suspension, which consists of webbed suspension plus eight Riddell Aero-Cells placed between the shell and suspension. The outside of the helmet has the logo the Giants employed from 1961-74. The chin strap is present, and the face mask appears to be Riddell’s BD-9 model. The size 7 1/8 helmet shows light use. This is an excellent example of a 1960s NFL helmet. Since its production in the 1960s, helmet design has undergone significant changes. With the current emphasis on head injuries, it will be interesting to see what further changes occur in helmets over the next decade. It comes with a letter saying it is from the Tommy John collection.
Winning Bid $390.
Lot 127. Dan Marino Single-Signed Football. Large bold nm-m 8 autograph that shows very minor bleeding on a white panel of a Wilson NFL Tagliabue football. Marino holds or once held every significant NFL passing record. He is in both the Pro and College Football Halls of Fame. Authenticated by Kevin Keating. Comes with a “Property of” label signed by John.
Winning Bid $113.
Lot 128. Lawrence Taylor and Phil Simms Autographs on an Official NFL Tagliabue Football. Simms’ career began with the Giants in 1979. From 1981-93, he and Taylor were teammates. Each signed the same panel of the nm-m football. Taylor’s signature is nm 7 to nm-m 8, and Simms’, nm-m 8. Taylor was voted into the Hall of Fame in 1999. Simms was a two-time Pro Bowl selection and quarterbacked the Giants to two Super Bowl victories. Authenticated by Kevin Keating. Comes with a “Property of” label signed by John.
Winning Bid $168.
Lot 129. Brian Urlacher Single-Signed Football. Mint 9 autograph on a white panel of a Wilson NFL Tagliabue football that has the Chicago Bears’ logo. In 11 seasons with the Bears, Urlacher has been a Pro Bowl selection eight times and an All-Pro five times. In 2005, the linebacker from the University of New Mexico was the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year. Authenticated by Kevin Keating. Comes with a “Property of” label signed by John.
Winning Bid $70.
Lot 209. Nov. 12, 1945 “Time” Magazine Signed by Glenn Davis and Doc Blanchard. Arguably college football’s best ever backfield duo, Blanchard and Davis were largely responsible for Army’s record of 27-0-1 from 1944 and 1946. Blanchard was known as “Mr. Inside,” while Davis was “Mr. Outside.” Together, they were dubbed the “Touchdown Twins” because they scored 97 touchdowns, a college record that stood until 2007. Blanchard was the 1945 Heisman Trophy winner, and Davis, the 1946 winner. After graduating from West Point, both, of course, served in the military. Afterwards, Blanchard continued his military career as a pilot, achieving the rank of colonel. Davis played for one season with the Los Angeles Rams before a knee injury ended his career. Both men are in the College Football Hall of Fame. The magazine is ex. Both signatures are bold, mint 9 to gem mint 10. Davis passed away in 2005, and Blanchard, in 2009. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $218.
Lot 210. Mike Ditka Autograph Collection – 5 Signed B&W Photos and 2 Signed Cards. All of the photos show Ditka with the Chicago Bears, three as a coach and two as a player. Four are 8” x 10”, and one is 7” x 10”. Three autographs are mint 9, and two are nm-m 8. Four photos are mint; one has a small area of paper loss (0.5” x 1”) along an edge and well away from Ditka’s image or autograph. Ditka added “H.O.F. 88” below each signature. He also signed 1968 Topps #162, which shows him with the Philadelphia Eagles, and 1989 Pro Set #53. The signatures on the cards are nm-m. Kevin Keating authenticated the autographs. Seven Ditka autographs with excellent potential break-up value.
Winning Bid $75.
Lot 212. Football Autographs – Manning, Marino, Montana and Gifford. Impressive collection, with all of the signatures at least nm-m 8 to mint 9. Kevin Keating authenticated them. We’ve listed the player and the item he signed: Peyton Manning (5” x 7” team-issued b&w photo); Dan Marino (5.75” x 8.75” b&w Nike photo); Joe Montana (8” x 10” color photo); and Frank Gifford (7” x 9” ABC Sports photo). Great autographs of two Hall of Fame quarterbacks, a future HoFer and one of the game’s most recognizable players. MB $120.
Winning Bid $121.
Lot 213. 36 Autographed Swell Football Greats Pro HoF Cards - 20 Signed by Deceased Players. Twenty-two cards are from the 1988 set, 11 from 1989 and three from 1990. No duplicate autographs. 1988: Chuck Bednarik, Raymond Berry, Willie Davis (personalized), Mike Ditka, “Bullet Bill” Dudley, Frank Gatski, Joe Greene, Crazylegs Hirsch, Sam Huff, Sonny Jurgensen, Dante “Gluefingers” Lavelli, Bob Lilly, Ollie Matson, George McAfee, Bobby Mitchell, Lenny Moore, “Ace” Parker, Pete Pihos, Andy Robustelli, Joe Schmidt, Charley Trippi and Gene Upshaw. 1989: George Connor, Ray Flaherty, Mel Hein, John Henry Johnson, Jim Langer, Gino Marchetti, Mike McCormack, George Musso, Jim Parker, Ernie Stautner and Arnie Weinmeister. 1990: Morris “Red” Badgro, Bob Griese and Don Huston. The autographs are overwhelmingly nm-m 8 and mint 9. An excellent group with strong potential break-up value. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $180.
Lot 214. Collection of 50+ Business Cards Autographed by Football Players and Coaches. The coaches represent both the NFL and college football. Almost all of the autographs are nm-m 8 or better. A few are on the back of the card. Authenticated by Kevin Keating. Here is the complete list: Pete Banaszak, Frank Beamer, Chris Berman (personalized, ESPN anchor), Chris Conlin (Arena Football League coach who played for the Dolphins, Colts and Penn State), Dale Dodrill, Pete Carroll, Dobie Craig, Dennis Erickson, Kirk Ferentz, John Fox, Mike Garrett, Ralph Giacomarro (Atlanta punter), Claude (“Hoot”) Gibson, Freddy Glick, Steve Grogan, Mike Guman, Riley Gunnels, Darrell Hogan, Sam Horner, Marv Hubbard, John Hufnagel, Roy Jefferson, Dick Jauron, Lane Kiffin, Dave Kocourek, Gary Kubiak, Bob Kuechenberg, Ted Kwalick, Tom Mack (HoF), Dick Maegle, Paul Martha, Jack “Cy” McClairen, Pete Metzelaars, Gene Mingo, Les Miles, Mike Mularkey, Gerry “Moon” Mullins, Buzz Nutter, Ed O’Neil (Detroit linebacker), Bobby Petrino, Ed Podolak, Mark Robinson (Chiefs, Bucs, Penn State), Andy Russell, Dick Schafrath, Mickey Slaughter, Mike Smith (Atlanta head coach), Matt Snell, Frank Solich, Jack Spikes and Frank Tripucka.
Winning Bid $125.
Lot 215. Autographs of 13 Top Football Coaches: Spurrier, Saban, Bowden, Parseghian, Etc. Authenticated by Kevin Keating, these autographs are overwhelmingly mint 9s and gem mint 10s. Steve Spurrier signed a 5” x 7” color photo showing him with the Florida Gators. The photo has a pin hole in the border at the top; otherwise, it is nm. Jack Lengyel autographed a 4” x 5” b&w photo; his signature is personalized. Lengyel became head coach of the Thundering Herd at Marshall after a plane crash in 1970 killed almost the entire team. The autographs of nine coaches are on 8” x 10” or 8.5” x 11” photos: Bobby Bowden, Tommy Bowden (Clemson), Chip Kelly (Oregon), Eric Mangini (Cleveland), Bo Pelini (Nebraska), Wade Phillips (Dallas), Mike Riley (Oregon State), Nick Saban (LSU) and Charlie Weiss (Notre Dame). Except for Saban’s, the signatures are personalized. Ara Parseghian autographed a 1992 first day cover. A 7” x 9” original AP wire photo showing Parseghian in his rookie season (1964) at Notre Dame accompanies the autograph. Finally, the autograph of Marvin Lewis, the Cincinnati Bengals’ coach, is on an unlined index card.
Winning Bid $75.
Lot 252. Troy Polamalu Autographed Steelers Reebok Authentic NFL Equipment Onfield Jersey. The NFL’s top strong safety signed the “4” on the back of his jersey with a bold autograph that shows slight bleeding. Nm-m 8. The size 48 jersey is mint and unused; the NFL Equipment tag is still attached. Polamalu is a seven-time Pro Bowl selection and the 2010 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. The jersey has JSA Authentication label F29472, but the certificate is not present. Kevin Keating authenticated the autograph.
Winning Bid $163.
