BOB FELLER & SATCHEL PAIGE ALL-STAR TEAMS UNIQUE AUTOGRAPH COLLECTION.
Item Description
This is one of the most incredible autographed items in the entire Richard Merkin Collection. There are two separate multi-signed items for this historic 1946 game that featured Major League stars on Feller's team versus stars of the Negro League on Paige's. First is a copy of the game's program, 8.25x10.75" w/16 pages. Front cover features a photo of Feller. This cover was signed in ink the day of the game by Bob Feller and 14 of his team members as well as Satchel Paige. Feller's signature is just above and to the right of his photo. Paige signed on the top center margin. The other cover signatures include fellow HOF members Bob Lemon and Phil Rizzuto as well as Mickey Vernon, Charlie Keller, Dutch Leonard, Sam Chapman, Jeff Heath, Jim Hegan, Johnny Beradino, Ken Keltner, Frankie Hayes, Johnny Sain, Spud Chandler, Bobo Newsome, Fred Hutchinson, Rollie Helmsley, Jackie Price and Monte Irvin. Additionally, this program found its way back to Feller years later when he then signed it again another three times, on pages 1 and 3 and the back cover, twice adding a personal inscription "My Dear Friend/A Great Friend." HOF member Monte Irvin also signed one inside page by his photo. Photos of other players from both teams are featured throughout. Center spread is unused score card listing the line-up for each team. There are also full page bios for both Feller and Paige w/photos. Spine splits w/archival tape repairs inside spine edge. Cover again and .5" tear on front at top left. All signatures remain distinct. VG cover, VF contents. Program has 20 signatures in total including four of Feller. The second signed item is a 6x9" sheet of paper. This has 16 ink signatures of Paige and his teammates including fellow HOF member Hilton Smith as well as Frank Duncan (who adds "Mgr.") Max Manning, Samuel Jethroe, Quincy Trouppe, Buck O'Neil, Henry Thompson, Howard Easterling, Artie Wilson, Rufus Lewis, Barney Brown, Othello Renfroe, Gene Bensen, Jeffrey "Gentry" Jessup and Johnny Davis. Sheet has slightest aging/margin wear but remains clean and all signatures are bold. VF. This item was originally donated to a Leukemia auction event in 1981 by a NY lawyer and comes w/paperwork on the firm's stationery detailing this as well as with Hake's COA and JSA LOAs. A truly special and unique item.