Just Made a Neat Autograph Discovery

[Liberate Baltimore]

Hello,

I think I've made a really cool discovery. I recently purchased a scrapbook from 1939 featuring signatures of the Washington Senators, St. Louis Browns and Boston Red Sox. As I was entering death dates among the signatures, I came across two names: Elmer Gedeon and Bob Neighbors. To make a long story very short, Gedeon was the first major league to get killed in World War II in 1944 and the only in the European Theater. Shockingly, the next page had Neighbors who became the first and only big league player killed in the Korean War in 1952. Both were pilots who were shot down over France and North Korea respectively. Together, they combined for 30 at bats over a two week period in 1939. None would ever play in the big leagues again. The other big leaguer in World War II, Harry O'Neil, appeared in one game but did not have a plate appearance. Neighbors made his big league debut on 9/16 and Gedeon on 9/18 at Washington...they never played against each other. I can't imagine that more than a couple examples of each are in existense. I also found a signed 1939 Play Ball Moe Berg card in both English AND Japanese, along with rookie era signatures of Early Wynn and Ted Williams. Thanks for reading,

James

 

[Moonlight Graham]

Very interesting story. Those have to be 2 very difficult signatures.

 

[Jastermereel]

Though I'm sure I already know the answer, if you want to sell the Berg let me know.

 

[Topnotchsy]

Though I'm sure I already know the answer, if you want to sell the Berg let me know.

lol, that was what I noticed about the post as well. I'd love to see a scan of that card and get in line if it happens to be available (though it is probably out of my budget.) (Note the Avatar...)

 

[trauty]

If you could scan the Neighbors, I'd appreciate it. I live in the town he was from.

 

[Sean_C]

Very cool! New stuff for H&S, or was these personal collection items?

 

[Sjrmn91]

That's incredible! I'm a huge into WWII and those autos would be amazing to have. Great find!

 

[fkw]

you may even get more demand from War collectors than Baseball on the 2 nonstars shot down (airforce guys)

but the big item is going to be the Berg, especially with the Japanese sig... on a contemporary card from the beginning of the war(s) is huge. As you know, he has a big following from Jewish/WWII/Baseball Collectors, very cool items.

 

[srstetler]

I really enjoyed reading your post. It sounds like the this item found the right person. Thanks for sharing your research.