This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
3/10/2024
Henry (Lou) Gehrig Signature in Autograph Book - c.1917. The earliest known of its kind.
Significant Henry (Lou) Gehrig signature from January, 1917 and what is likely considered to be the earliest known exemplar in existence. The signature presented in this auction lot is not just any Lou Gehrig autograph. This lot constitutes great historical magnitude and is certainly worthy of Hall of Fame status itself.
Historical Background: Our featured offering tells a story of two classmates from a Manhattan public 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 name absent from the honor roll, yet maintaining perfect attendance as recorded in the 'Ye Fort Washington Courier', pg.11. His fellow classmate, Percival Singerman, while not on the merit list for attendance, excelled in academics. He is recognized on pg.13 of the Courier as a member of the honor roll and again on the subsequent page as "Our smartest." On a cold January day, presumably on Percival's graduation day January 31, 1917, these two convened and Gehrig shared his penning in this black titled 'Autographs' book along with several other classmates.
This signed album page dates just five months before Gehrig's graduation and eventual admittance into Commerce High School that fall. Unlike many adolescents of the time who immediately began working at a young age, Gehrig went on to further his education, in large part to satisfy his mothers wishes. But as we know, his education is not what made Lou Gehrig a household name. By 1917, children from the neighborhood began to take notice and Gehrig solidified his self worth as a star player throughout high school. He later attended Columbia University and was signed by the New York Yankees in 1923. His onslaught of opposing pitchers began in June, 1925 as he replaced first baseman Wally Pipp and the rest is history. Lou Gehrig is regarded as the best first baseman to ever play the game and one of the greatest hitters of all time.
More importantly, Lou's character and untimely death linger in the hearts of many. His memorabilia over the years has appreciated at a rapid pace with no end in sight. Simple economics tell us that when supply is infinitely small compared to a huge demand, you have a hot commodity. Collectors have not only sought out Gehrig signed items, but also his likeness on trading cards and other related memorabilia as well. It has been said that for every one hundred Ruth autographs, there is one Gehrig. Henry Gehrig, as he was known in 1917, beautifully scripted his name in Percival's autograph book just as any other peer would. Little did Percival know that he would come to possess an early autograph of one of the most treasured baseball players of all time. This Gehrig signature brings us to the cusp of his early professional career in baseball.
The pencil signature of Henry (Lou) Gehrig in this leather bound 'Autographs' book is exceptional, and most certainly rates '10' in veracity.
Provenance and Authenticity: The provenance behind an item such as this is critical and of the utmost importance. Our consignor is Mr. Malcolm Singerman, son of Percival Singerman. Born in 1935, Mr. Singerman fondly remembers his father showing him the book at his request. A notarized Letter of Provenance from Malcolm Singerman accompanies this lot. A portion of this letter reads as follows, "The P.S. 132 school was small, and the kids all knew one another. Even though Gehrig was a year behind Dad, he received his signature along with other younger and graduating classmates alike...My Dad never displayed Gehrig’s autograph, though he did show it to me and discuss it with me, at my request, when I was in my early teens. When he passed away, I found the autograph book, Dad’s grade school graduation magazine and graduation program in an envelope in his papers, and I have kept it ever since."
This item was reviewed by James Spence, Lead Authenticator of James Spence Authentication, considered by many to be the top authority of vintage baseball autographs. He was unable to opine on the signature, and rightfully so, as their exemplars do not date back to 1917. According to our research, no other autograph from this time period has ever been brought to public eye. From the comprehensive history provided, coupled with supporting documentation from our consignor, we are convinced with absolute certainty as to the legitimacy of this Henry Gehrig signature. One cannot expect this autograph of Gehrig from his formative years to match one signed many years later as a Yankee, however, we were able to find some important consistencies. Most notably is the placement and characteristic of the dot for 'i' in Gehrig, which is seemingly always found above the latter 'g' just as this example shows.
The winning bidder of this lot will receive the following:
Black, leather bound 'Autographs' book with Henry Gehrig's signature along with other classmates of Percival Singerman; Letter of Provenance(address blocked for privacy); twenty-one page bulletin of the Ye Fort Washington Courier, January 1917, vol. 1, no. 14; and four page January 31st, 1917 Graduation Exercises Program from the Fort Washington School.