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Lot # 762: 1947 Boston Red Sox Team-Signed OAL/Harridge Baseball with (28) Signatures Including Ted Williams & Joe Cronin - Full JSA LOA

Starting Bid:

$150

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(Bid History)

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Description

A talented 1947 Boston Red Sox squad has decorated this period signed OAL/Harridge baseball with (28) signatures. Most of the signers were members of the 1946 Sox team, that captured the AL pennant. The collecting clout is provided by Hall of Famers Ted Williams, Bobby Doerr and Joe Cronin, with strong support coming from notables Dom DiMaggio, Johnny Pesky, Wally Moses, "Tex" Hughson and Mel Parnell. Also noted are signatures from long deceased stars Frankie Hayes, "Rip" Russell, Johnny Murphy, Mickey Harris and Rudy York.

The inscriptions "Boston Red Sox on the east panel, and "April 27, 1947" were penned in unknown hand. Credibility for the dating of this team-signed baseball to April 27th is supported by the trade of Hal Wagner on May 20th, and the release of Frankie Hayes on May 21st. Jack Albright is cited as a player for Boston's 1947 minor league affiliate the Louisville Colonels, before moving on to the Philadelphia Phillies organization.

The majority of the signatures remain fairly distinct, though those located on the north panel are moderately faded, and the signatures of Bill Zuber and Joe Cronin on the east panel are partially obscured by traces of foreign matter. The baseball remains appealing despite fading of the factory labeling stamps.

The complete list of signers as they appear are:

Sweet spot: Ted Williams (HOF), Frankie Hayes (d.1955);

North panel: Harry Dorish, Jack Albright, Bill Goodman, David "Boo" Ferris, Leon Culberson, Bill Butland, "Rip" Russell (d.1976), Tom Fine;

South panel: Bobby Doerr (HOF), Eddie Pellagrini, Johnny Murphy (d.1970), Roy Partee, "Tex" Hughson, Mel Parnell;

East panel: Johnny Pesky, Bill Zuber (d.1982), Joe Cronin (manager, HOF);

West panel: Hal Wagner (d.1979), Wally Moses, Mickey Harris (d.1971), Paul Schreiber (coach, d.1982), Tommy McBride, Don Gutteridge, Frank Shofner, Dom DiMaggio, Rudy York (d.1970).

Full LOA from James Spence/JSA.