Lot # 1041: 8/11/1950 Vern Bickford Single-Signed ONL/Frick No-Hitter Trophy Baseball

Famously, there was Spahn, Sain, and hopes of inclement weather for the Boston Braves during the late-1940s, and early 1950s. The Braves had an almost forgotten third ace at the time, in Vern Bickford, who posted winning seasons in each of the four years this trio of masterful moundsmen were teamed together. The high point of Bickford's short but effective career is recalled, with this 8/11/50 no-hitter trophy ball. On this date, Bickford held the stacked Brooklyn Dodgers lineup to zero hits, zero runs, and four walks, in a 7-0 Braves rout.

The factory labeling remains fully discernible on this period signed ONL/Frick baseball, which is coated with a protective layer of shellac. Located on the west panel, Bickford's signature projects ("7.5") strength. Decorating the adjacent sweet spot, is a hand-drawn banner with the legend "No Hit - No Run". Seen above the banner is the game's result "Braves - 7, Dodgers - 0", and the date "8-11-50" is written below the banner. Bickford tragically died of cancer in 1960, at the premature age of 39, making his autograph a fairly tough acquisition. Currently, there's a scant handful of Bickford cut signature and signed index card examples on offer, and Braves team-signed baseballs from Bickford's tenure can be had. Bickford single-signed baseballs appear to border on impossible, so this opportunity should be welcomed by advanced collectors.

Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA.