This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/29/2019
Presented here is a rare one-page typed letter, dated October 7, 1922, signed by Barney Dreyfuss who owned the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1900 to 1932. Done on official "Pittsburgh Athletic Company" letterhead to fellow Hall of Famer Fred Clarke, Dreyfuss thanks his former player-manager for handling a World Series ticket issue. He then goes on to agree with Clarke’s take on the umpiring during that 1922 Fall Classic battle of New York between the Giants and Yankees. At that point in time Clarke had retired from baseball, but two years later he would buy a minority stake in the Pirates organization and serve as Vice President and bench coach alongside manager Bill McKechnie.
Dreyfuss’ signature, done in elegant calligraphy with a black fountain pen (7-8/10), is one of the rarest of all Hall of Fame members. As an owner, his autograph was not highly coveted by fans during that era, and because he passed away in 1932 there are very few in circulation. It wasn’t until 2008 that Dreyfuss was enshrined in Cooperstown (63 years after Clarke), making his autograph even more valuable. To have a handwritten letter from Dreyfuss, with significant baseball content no less, is certainly a treat for any advanced collector. Includes full LOAs from PSA/DNA (AG01593) and JSA (BB23193).
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.