Rolling the Dice (PSA/DNA Style)

[cjedmonton]

Rolling the Dice (1953 World Series Program)

This auction ended without meeting the seller's reserve. In a twist of fate, he accepted my offer of nearly double his reserve. I'm really taking a flyer on this one, but my plan is to have it authenticated over the weekend at a local show (the PSA/DNA folks are in town). If at least one key sig comes back favorable, it's a tremendous addition to my collection. If not, the seller agreed to a 14 day return.

Wish me luck!

P.S. The provenance appears to be solid, which gives me some confidence (it was part of an estate sale from a very wealthy businessman in Colorado, whose father apparently had many connections to get this signed for him in '53)

 

[Sean_C]

Good luck! I'd be a bit hesitant with some of those (the Robinson for one), but if you got it for a good price, it's worth a shot.

 

[cjedmonton]

Thanks! I'll admit that the Robinson is borderline. However, the 7 on the back seem to be slam dunks. If you haven't noticed the anniversary theme, the front is signed by the '53 Dodgers (missing only a few minor players). The back is signed by some key figures from the first WS in 1903.

I'll find out one way or the other this weekend.

 

[sneekc]

Is that a pre accident Campanella on the left lower cover? Hard to see on my phome, but if so it's beautiful.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

Yeah, the Campy, Fred Clarke and Cy Young are the prizes for sure.

 

[cjedmonton]

Yeah, the Campy, Fred Clarke and Cy Young are the prizes for sure.

Tommy Connolly (HOF umpire) and Bill Dinneen (The first World Series "MVP", by many accounts) are also tough to come by. Even if a few on the front are clubhouse/ghost signatures, the ones on the back should soften the blow.

 

[sneekc]

Yeah, the Campy, Fred Clarke and Cy Young are the prizes for sure.

That Campy alone could fetch up to $1000, that's one of the nicest sigs I've seen in a long time.

 

[dinodak]

That Campy looks like it's secretarial. Seems too flamboyant for him. Hopefully I'm wrong.

 

[nyc3]

The only thing that scares me (about the front) is the similarities between the letter "e" on a few autos.

 

[cjedmonton]

I also have some concerns about the front. However, it seems like most clubhouse/ghost signatures from this era are found on baseballs and not flat items. I'll post clearer scans once it arrives and will let you know what PSA/DNA has to say about the piece. Certainly, the sigs on the back should help me recoup most/all of my investment.

P.S. The seller also offered to "throw in" a couple of other unsigned World Series programs he picked up from this estate auction. Very anxious to see which years I get!

 

[cjedmonton]

FedEx just delivered this. The seller also threw in an unsigned but scored 1953 program, and an excellent 1956 unscored program. What a bonus!

As for main item, here are much better scans:

Whether it's a home run or just a ground rule double, I'm thrilled.

I wouldn't mind trying to build upon this World Series by picking up authenticated cut autographs of the missing deceased players, a ticket stub, pennant, etc... Worthwhile?

 

[A_Pharis]

Wow! Awesome piece, man! Good luck with it and anything else you add.

 

[jwc9p]

Yeah, the Campy, Fred Clarke and Cy Young are the prizes for sure.

Is that not Jackie Robinson just off the left of the belt? That seems like the prize to me! Cy Young isn't bad either though!


Edit: Just saw the OP's Jackie post...GREAT Piece

 

[nyc3]

I hope that back comes out legit, cause I see way too many autos on the front signed by the same hand. Particularly look at the letter "B" under the word world in world series and the one top right in the white next to the word yankees. The "b's" are identical.

 

[A_Pharis]

How often did Reese sign without the quotation marks around Pee Wee?
I'd say there should be a concern with so many sigs looking to have been written by one person. It'd be great if a few of the key ones still turned up legit.

 

[cjedmonton]

That's a concern, for sure. Those players are Billy Loes (d. 2010) and Billy Cox (d. 1978). The Cox looks closest to other exemplars I've seen. Again, even if the entire front is secretarial/clubhouse/ghost signed, the back should make up for it.

It's important to keep in mind that these types of signatures from this era do not have the negative connotation it would today. This practice was deemed to be "non-malicious" in that the ballplayers were fully aware that someone else was signing for them (they were either too lazy or busy to meet the demand). Management even sanctioned this practice, and it became part of a batboy or secretary's daily duties. Also, there was no attempt to defraud or dupe the general public. Items were signed simply to meet the enormous demand from fans (especially of teams like the 50's Dodgers/Yankees), not collectors. There was very little if any monetary value assigned to these items at the time. Today, these items still carry some value, mostly because they are still vintage memorabilia, and a product of an era gone by. By most accounts, this practice went on for about 60 years (1920s-80s).

Here's a nice article about Charlie "The Brow" DiGiovanna, long time Brookyn Dodgers batboy, and his prolific signing habits:

http://www.psacard.com/articles/article_view.chtml?artid=3224&universeid=314

 

[cjedmonton]

I obviously don't have a hard percentage, but I would say the vast majority of his signatures do not have quotes. Speaking of Reese, if you look at the "P" in Preacher Roe's sig in the top right corner, they are also identical. The mystery will continue until tomorrow morning when I sort this out one way or another. Stay tuned!

 

[A_Pharis]

I own certified autos of both.. they do have similar P's.

 

[A_Pharis]

However, now that I look at it, it's not the P that throws the Roe off. Of course, your example is much older than mine. Very likely it changed over time.

 

[200lbhockeyplayer]

The back is without question signed by different hands, but it certainly isn't out of the realm of possibility that the entire front is secretarial.

Regardless, like stated, the back most certainly provides a lot of value depending on the buy-in. And if the OP is well aware of the front, and content with the back (as he clearly is) - it's still a great purchase for sure.