Cigar merchant, racketeer and owner of two Negro League baseball clubs, Alex Pompez certainly led an interesting life. His election to the Hall of Fame in 2004 post dated his 1974 death by thirty years. Pompez owned the Cuban Stars traveling team from 1923-1928, and then owned the New York Cubans of the Negro National League from 1935-1951. The lengthy gap between his association with baseball and his enshrinement at Cooperstown, made the ensuing hunt for an example of his signature a quest just slightly less difficult than the search for the Holy Grail. 

A fine Pompez signature hits the block with this typed letter signed, dated 5/15/44. A full page correspondence on New York Cubans letterhead, this ancient letter is addressed to John R. Williams of Detroit. Moderate signs of wear are evident, including staple holes and a paper clip stain at top left. Additionally multiple horizontal folds are noted. Despite these conditions, this WWII era letter remains pleasing, with bold printed graphics and clearly legible typed content. Located in the customary position at bottom, Pompez' concise signature shows ("9-10") potency, with deference to a small ink break in the surname. Land this whale of an autograph, to give your collection a big bump up in prestige. Full photo LOA from JSA.