Vintage Rarities IV ~ Summer 2011 Vintage Baseball Sports Memorabilia Auction
Ted Williams c. 1937 Signed Minor League Baseball - Earliest Known Exemplar c.1937 as 18 year old!
Collectors take note. While this lot may not be the most valuable lot in our July auction, few would argue its amazing significance. This Williams signing is the earliest known exemplar from his professional playing days, even pre-dating the famous 1937 player contract signed by Williams which fetched over $100,000 at auction. Offered is this Draper-Maynard Minor league ball which was signed by Williams as an 18 year from his first full season in the Boston Red Sox organization. A San Diego native, it was only fitting that his first stop in professional baseball began there. He spent two years in the Pacific Coast League with the Class A Padres before joining the Minneapolis Miners in 1938 and the rest is history.
There are a total of fourteen autographs on this ball including Ted Williams. Some of the other signatures include: Chaplin, Pillette, Shellanback, Patchett, Thompson, Myatt, Holman, Detore and Durst. This is simply an amazing find and a big reason why collecting vintage baseball memorabilia brings so much enjoyment to collectors and keeps the thrill of discovering the next big "find."
Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from James Spence Authentication (JSA).
1937 Ted Williams Autographed Signed Minor League (S.D. Padres) Baseball ~ Pacific Coast League ~ Earliest Known Exemplar!
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