MLB Historical Program Achieves Record Price at Auction
A program from the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony, signed by the eleven living inductees, sold for over $315,000 through Lelands Auctions. This figure sets a new record for such a program, surpassing the $241,500 paid for a 1903 World Series program in 2011. It is believed that this program from the Baseball Hall of Fame is the only one signed by the eleven living members present at the 1939 ceremony. Signatories include legends such as Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb (who signed the program twice), Walter Johnson, Honus Wagner, Cy Young, Tris Speaker, Grover Alexander, Nap Lajoie, George Sisler, Eddie Collins, and Connie Mack. In addition, the program features the signatures of other Hall of Fame members such as Mel Ott, Lefty Grove, and Johnny Vander Meer. The consignor’s parents of the program, who were engaged at the time, attended the ceremony on June 12, 1939. Both bought a program and sought to obtain as many signatures as possible. The consignor’s mother managed to obtain the signatures of the eleven living members.
The consignor reported that his mother waited for Cobb, who only agreed to sign if he received a kiss.My mother and her fiancé wanted to collect all the autographs of the living Hall of Fame players during the inauguration. She got autographs from everyone except Ty Cobb, who was late. In fact, he missed the famous photograph with all the other members.
Consignor
The program includes a certificate of authenticity that verifies the veracity of the signatures, issued by the grader and authenticator Professional Sports Authenticator (PSA).She kissed him on the cheek, but when she stepped back, he kissed her. Upon signing, she said “Well, since I received two kisses, I will sign it twice”. Hence the signature “Double Ty”.
Consignee
