|
Bert Sugar Collection - Baseball Autographs
4 Lots
 Lot 260. Dick Kerr Autograph – Chicago’s Honest Pitcher in the 1919 World Series. Despite the best efforts of four starters to make sure the White Sox lost, Kerr pitched the team to two victories in the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds. He started and won Games 3 and 6. Two other White Sox starters, Eddie Cicotte and Lefty Williams, handed a total of five games to the Reds in the eight-game series. Kerr’s signature, authenticated by Kevin Keating, is nm-m 8 on a lined index card personalized to Bert Sugar. Kerr was 13-7 with the Sox in 1919, and he won 20 games in 1920 and 19 in 1921. After 1921, his playing career was effectively over. Later, he managed in the minors, and he is credited with switching future Hall of Fame great Stan Musial from pitching to playing the outfield.
Winning Bid $110.
|
 Lot 261. Howard Ehmke Bold Autograph on Stationery with a Watermark Image of Him Pitching. Gem mint 10 signature personalized to Bert (Sugar) and authenticated by Kevin Keating. In a career spanning 1915-30, Ehmke played for the Buffalo Blues, Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Athletics. He won 20 games for Boston in 1923 and at least 10 games 10 times. After baseball, he established a company that made the first tarpaulins for covering baseball fields. He died in 1959. The stationery was folded twice for mailing. It’s unusual and attractive, and all the more desirable because of the connection to Bert Sugar. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $50.
|
 Lot 262. Harry Gowdy – Almost a Hall of Fame Catcher – Autographed Letter to Bert Sugar. Gowdy may be the only major leaguer who served in both World War I and WWII. He also came as close as anyone to being elected to the Hall of Fame without making it. An excellent catcher defensively, Gowdy played for the New York Giants or Boston Braves, 1910-30. In 1914, he helped the Braves to become world champions. After World War I began, he became the first major leaguer to enlist and subsequently saw trench warfare action with the Ohio National Guard infantry in France. He served again in WWII. After his career ended, Gowdy appeared on the Hall of Fame ballot 17 times. Twice, he finished 10th in the voting. All of the players who finished ahead of him eventually were enshrined at Cooperstown. Gowdy died in 1966. His signature is on a 1949 letter to Sugar on Columbus Athletic Club letterhead. It rates nm-m 8 and has been authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $70.
|
 Lot 263. Autographs of 9 Baseball Players Whose Major League Careers Began Before 1920. In fact, two players made their major league debut before 1900. Here is a list of the players, each with a career summary – FRED BECK: Nm 7 autograph, handwritten note, 5.5” x 8.5” paper, 1947. First baseman-outfielder, 1909-15, Boston Doves, Reds, Phillies and Chicago Federal League. Tied for the major league lead for home runs with 10 in 1910. Died in 1962. JACK BLISS: Nm-m 8 signature, handwritten letter, 5.5” x 8.5” paper, 1943. Catcher, 1908-12, St. Louis Cardinals. Died in 1968. ERNIE KRUEGER: Mint 9 to gem mint 10 autograph, handwritten letter, Marshall Field & Co. stationery, 1949. Catcher, 1913-25, Cleveland Naps, Yankees, Giants, Brooklyn Robins, Reds. Caught a 27-inning game in 1920. A founder of the Old Timers Baseball Association. Died in 1976. FRANK OBERLIN: Nm-m 8 autograph, part of the address, handwritten note to Bert Sugar, 5” x 8” paper, 1950. Pitcher, 1906-10, Boston Americans and Senators. Died in 1952. AL ORTH: Ex-m 6 pencil signature on a newspaper clipping. Pitcher, 1895-1909, Phillies, Senators and New York Highlanders. Won 204 games, at least 100 in each league. Later was an N.L. umpire. Died 1948. OLLIE PICKERING: Nm-m 8 autograph on a newspaper clipping with his image. Center fielder, 1896-1908, Louisville Colonels, Cleveland Spiders, Cleveland Blues, Browns and Senators. First batter in A.L. history in 1901. Died in 1952. WALTER SCHMIDT: Nm-m 8 signature, handwritten letter. Catcher, 1916-25, Pirates and Cardinals. Died 1973. “CHICK” SHORTEN: Nm-m 8 autograph, handwritten note, 6.75” x 5.25” paper, 1949. Outfielder, 1915-24, Red Sox, Tigers, Browns and Reds. Played in the 1916 World Series. Died in 1965. STEVE YERKES: Mint 9 signature, second page of a handwritten note, 5.25” x 9” paper; the first page is missing. Second baseman, 1909-16, Red Sox, Pittsburgh Rebels (Federal League) and Cubs. Died in 1971. Nice collection of vintage autographs from Bert Sugar’s collection. Authenticated by Kevin Keating.
Winning Bid $218.
|
|
