Team ball specialists come to attention, for this 1940 World Series Champions Cincinnati Reds team-signed baseball. This period signed ball is a walnut toned ONL/Frick model, that hosts (19) autographs under a coating of shellac, including back-up catcher Willard Hershberger, who committed suicide in August of the 1940 season, at the age of 30. Several other long-deceased players have joined in the signing of this ancient orb, including Hall of Famer Ernie Lombardi. Applied by means of a steel-tip fountain pen, the autographs range ("4" to "6") in potency. Written on the sweet spot in unknown hand, is "Cinn. Reds 1940", and the factory labeling stamps retain sufficient integrity for easy recognition.



Featured signers are:



North panel: Gene Thompson, Jim Turner, Harry Craft, Ernie Lombardi (d.1977), Frank McCormick (d.1982);



South panel: Johnny Hutchings (d.1963), Eddie Joost, Jim Turner, Lee Gamble, Joe Beggs (d.1983);



East panel: Lew Riggs (d.1975), Billy Myers, Bill Werber, Elmer Riddle (d.1984), Willard Hershberger (d.1940), Paul Derringer (d.1987);



West panel: Bill Baker, Lonny Frey, Mike Dejan (d.1953).



Full LOA from James Spence/JSA.

Opening Bid $250.