Lot # 1333: 1958 Baltimore Colts vs. New York Giants "Greatest Game Ever Played" Multi-Signed Autograph Book Pair (77) Total Signatures with Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry, Johnny Unitas & "Big Daddy" Lipscomb

Recall the “Greatest Game Ever Played” with this pair of 1958 football autograph books. On 12/28/58, the Baltimore Colts and the New York Giants took the field at Yankee Stadium to battle it out in the NFL Championship Game. After four hard-fought quarters, the combatants stood tied at a score of 17-17. A dramatic overtime period ensued, and with 6:45 remaining on the clock, Baltimore fullback Alan Ameche gained the bit of real estate the Colts would, scoring the winning touchdown on a 1-yard rush. This nationally televised game changed the course of NFL history. Prior to this broadcast, the college game ruled the land, and football historians point to this “Great Game Ever Played” as the contest that opened the door to a rapid rise in popularity for the professional league.

The offered spiral bound books are readily distinguishable, as the Colts book with (37) signatures has a red cover, while the Giants book with (40) signatures sports a green cover. A combined total of (77) signatures from the two teams includes (15) Hall of Famers with Vince Lombardi, Tom Landry. Johnny Unitas, Frank Gifford, Emlen Tunnell, Lenny Moore, Don Maynard, and Gino Marchetti, and many popular stars with Jack Kemp, “Big Daddy” Lipscomb, Pat Summerall, and Alan Ameche. Reported as having been obtained on the day of the 1958 NFL Championship game, these signatures are generally sharp, though a very small number are a bit soft.

Featured signers as they appear front to back are:

NFL champions Baltimore Colts (37) signatures with: Art Donovan (HOF), Art Spinney, Bill Pellington, Andy Nelson, Ray Brown, Ray Krouse, L.G. Dupree, Carl Taseff, Johnny Unitas (HOF), Jack Call, Don Joyce, Alex Sandusky, Raymond Berry (HOF), “Big Daddy” (Gene Lipscomb), Lenny Moore (HOF, X2), George Shaw, Rick Casares (Chicago Bears), Fred Thurston, Jim Parker (HOF), Ordell Braase, Leo Sanford, Milt Davis, Jackie Simpson, Jim Mutscheller, Art DeCarlo, Gino Marchetti (HOF), Alan Ameche, Steve Myhra, Bert Rechichar, Alan Ameche, Andy Nelson, “Buzz” Nutter, Leo Sanford, Don Shinnick, and two on a taped in cut that has come loose: John Sample and Lenny Lyles.

Eastern Conference champions New York Giants (40) signatures with: Phil King, M.L. Brackett, Jack Kemp, Bill Svoboda, Dick Modzelewski, Ken MacAfee, Pat Summerall, Al Barry, Frank Youso, Don Heinrich, Jim Patton, Sam Huff (HOF), Charlie Conerly, Don Chandler, Billy Latt, “Buzz” Guy, Frank Gifford, Don Maynard (HOF), Lindon Crow, Dick Nolen, Andy Robustelli (HOF), Carl Karilivacz, “Rosey” Grier, Mel Triplett (X2), Emlen Tunnell (HOF), Harland Svare, Bob Schnelker, Bob Mischak, “Rosey” Brown (HOF), Kyle Rote, Vince Lombardi (HOF, offensive coordinator), Jim Katcavage, Ed Hughes, Alex Webster, Ray Wietecha, Emlen Tunnell (HOF), and three on a page with tape stains: Cliff Livingston, Tom Landry (HOF, defensive coordinator), Jack Stroud.

Auction LOA from James Spence/JSA.