Significant Henry (Louis) Gehrig Signed Album Page (c.1917) – The Earliest Known Exemplar Hits the Auction Block
Imperial Sports Auctions Vintage Rarities III March 10th Auction Open for Bidding
HELOTES, Texas, Feb. 22, 2011 /PRNewswire/ — With each passing year, various unique pieces of sports memorabilia surface at auction and in turn, get collectors in a frenzy. Here is another one of these examples. Imperial Sports Auctions, of Helotes, Texas, is proud to offer the earliest known signature of Henry (Louis) Gehrig. Signed “Henry Gehrig January 1917,” this remarkable antiquity presents an opportunity for advanced collectors to secure an amazing piece of memorabilia for their collection. An excerpt from the item description remarks “Our featured offering tells a story of two classmates from a Manhattanpublic grammar school. From 1908 through 1917, Henry Gehrig attended grammar school at the Fort Washington PS 132. By many accounts he was known as an average student…His fellow classmate, Percival Singerman, while not on the merit list for attendance, excelled in academics…on Percival’s graduation day January 31, 1917, these two convened and Gehrig shared his penning in this black titled ‘Autograph’ book along with several other classmates.”
The storied history and provenance for this lot is remarkable. It has remained in the family for nearly a century until now. The consignor of this lot is the son of the young boy who received Gehrig’s signature along with several other classmates that January in 1917. A notarized Letter of Provenance from our consignor along with additional supporting documentation from the Fort Washington PS 132 school also accompanies this lot. Simply a breathtaking and a true one-of-a-kind item!
Several other key pieces of vintage baseball memorabilia are being offered in this sale as well. They include a extremely scarce 1913 World Tour pennant with Christy Mathewson depicted, a HOF signed baseball with signatures of Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb,Walter Johnson, Honus Wagner and more. Collectors will find several other signed baseballs including Babe Ruth, Roger Maris, Jackie Robinson and Jimmie Foxx. Another fine collection of early signatures including rare autographs of Miller Huggins, Ruth, Gehrig and other members of the 1927 Yankees, otherwise known as ‘Murderers Row.’
An impressive group of vintage pre-war cards is also included in the sale. They include graded caramel issues of Ty Cobb andChristy Mathewson along with a high grade Babe Ruth Exhibit postcard. A very scarce 1916 BF2 Ferguson Bakery felt pennant of Ty Cobb is also included.
Overall, this eclectic group of vintage baseball autographs, cards and related memorabilia is sure to delight beginning to advanced collectors alike.
Imperial Sports Auctions, located in Helotes TX, features quarterly auctions comprised of vintage baseball memorabilia. Our auctions include autographs, cards, game used equipment and other related memorabilia. Recently auctioned was a Ty Cobb autographed T206 tobacco card and related ephemera for an impressive $27,600. For additional information, register to bid in our auction, or if you have a collection to consign, please visit us online at www.imperialsports.net or call toll-free 877.226.9054.
SOURCE Imperial Sports Auctions