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I just recently picked this up, and was wondering if anyone had ever seen one. I haven't received the item, but couldn't pass it up. I know the organization helps former major and minor league players who are having difficulties. What do you guys think? Any idea regarding what the writing on the back says? - Dustin
Signed by Russ Hall, who died in 1937, who played for the 1898 St. Louis Browns and the 1901 Cleveland Blues. He signed many pieces of documentation in his position as secretary of the Association. I have a couple of these. Win Clark, who played for the Louisville Colonels, took over as secretary upon Hall's passing, manning that position until his death in 1959 if memory serves correct. Your piece is likely worth about $125-175 (and about $250 if it weren't for the water staining which affects Hall's signature).
It's pretty funny, because the Association passes that were issued to me when I played in the minors in the mid-1980s look very much like yours. They obviously didn't spend much time on changing the style over the years. If I can dig mine out, I'll post scans later.
I had it in my watchlist, but didn't bid. I had no idea that the signature on it was rare and I'm guessing that nobody else watching it did either - except perhaps the originator of this thread.
Max,
Perhaps you should change your log in to DICK Tracy since you possess such fine detective skills. Also, if you don't mind, please explain to me the relevance of your post to the original question. I simply asked if anyone had ever seen a card such as the one that I pictured. I initially thought about ignoring your comment. I usually choose to do so when it comes to someone making pompous statements in order to let what they say demonstrate the obvious character of whomever is hiding behind a computer screen making them, but this time I'll respond. People like you are one of the reasons that some choose never to ask questions and are afraid to broaden their horizons. Perhaps you should re-evaluate yourself? If I completely misinterpreted what you said, and I don't think I did, then allow me to be the first to apologize for doing so. If I did not, however, perhaps you should ask yourself how you could use your time trying to better our hobby, our society, and this board that we are lucky enough to have, instead of putting a black mark on it. - Dustin
This message has been edited by bluetmax on Jul 19, 2008 8:48 AM
Dustin, you are overreacting. Max has been around here a long time and has always been very helpful...he was just having some fun. Note the smiley? I think perhaps he shouldn't have posted the item since you say you haven't received it yet, but your rant is unwarranted.
Still waiting to see scans of your membership card(s). I don't know why, but I'm curious to see what one of these looked like in the 1980's. All the ones I've owned were from the 1930's-40's.
It's all good Dustin. Even though I think Max should not have posted a link to the auction one thing you should NEVER do is post an item you won on ebay if you don't have it in hand. I don't think anyone will interfere with the sale here, but it's always a good rule to remember.
I'm still looking. The box I thought they were in contained 1987 Texas League playoff ticket stubs instead. (I'll be happy to post those if you like. ) I have an idea where I can put my hands on the membership cards. I'll try to find, scan and post them by the end of the weekend.
No malice intended by me, Dustin, and my posting to the auction was an indication of your good buy, however badly I worded it. I certainly didn't hope or intend that anyone would interfere with your auction.
Russ Hall was Secretary of the APBPA from its founding, in 1924, until his death in 1937. The group currently has 11,000+ members. I have several of the APBPA annual reports put out in the 1930s, and if they had about 1,000 members then, Russ Hall would have signed that many membership cards each year - or maybe 10,000 in all.
I'm surprised that they surface, since if one of my ancestors were a member or played in the majors, I would keep that stuff in the family. But, many have become available over the years, usually sold as part of a family's estate. I have found several in flea markets over the years.
I have several of the cards signed by Russ Hall, and several more signed by his successor Win Clark. They are not "rare" by any means, but they sure don't turn up every day either.
Here is another Maurice DeLoof example. Each time I look at this I imagine that he attended a Montreal game and got Jackie Robinson to sign his score card.
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