This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/11/2022
We present here one of the finest Max Carey single signed baseballs in the hobby. It last surfaced in 2005 and has been in our consignor's collection until now. In his prime, "Scoops" was one of the best defensive centerfielders in all of baseball and led the NL in stolen bases ten times. When he retired in 1929, he was the Senior Circuit's top thief of all time with 738 swipes (untlil Lou Brock passed him in 1974). His outstanding career with the Pittsburgh Pirates (1910-26) spanned the tenures of Honus Wagner and Fred Clarke with the eras of Pie Traynor and the Waner brothers. Carey earned his rightful place in Cooperstown alongside these Pirate greats in 1961.
The 1960's period "Baseball Hall of Fame" stamped ball has been beautifully scripted by "Scoops" on the sweet spot in bold blue ballpoint ink that rates 8-9/10 in strength and closer to 9/10 in eye appeal. A Wilson logo and "COOPERSTOWN NEW YORK" are also stamped on the well-preserved baseball with a creamy tone. A super thin coat of shellac has been brushed over the signature, creating a subtle shade-like backdrop on the sweet spot. This does not detract from the ball's lovely aesthetics in the slightest. If anything, this preservation tactic has only helped accentuate its beauty. Fewer than two dozen Carey singles have been offered publicly (according to our research), and this is the first exemplar we have handled.
Includes full LOA from Beckett (LOA from PSA/DNA noted in its previous listing has been misplaced).