6 Poetic, Entertaining Programs from New York Baseball Writers’ Annual Dinners, 1942-1947.
Lot 586. 6 Poetic, Entertaining Programs from New York Baseball Writers’ Annual Dinners, 1942-1947. Each “Eating and Oratorical Contest” is represented by a four-page “Official 5¢ Score Card.” Each has a humorous front-page letter introducing the event. The back pages of the scorecards are especially interesting. Each has two or three poems roasting and toasting the evening’s honored guests. They include Hank Greenberg, Joe DiMaggio, Mel Ott, Ted Williams, Sid Mercer (St. Louis and New York sportswriter), Bill Dickey, Branch Rickey, Bill McKechnie, Dixie Walker, Al Schact (The Clown Price of Baseball), Snuffy Stirnweiss, Stan Musial and Shag Shaughnessy (athlete and sports coach and executive). Inside the programs are titles for comedic sketches, some with sportswriters playing baseball figures. There also are some serious moments. The 1943 program has an insert for a song titled “Bless ‘Em All,” which mentions many baseball players serving in World War II. Three programs have been folded vertically, two horizontally, and one, both ways. Without the folds, they would average ex. They are free of the chips and tears often found in 1930s and early 1940s programs. Winning Bid $248.