Presented here, fresh to the hobby, is a group of 6 vintage autographs on index cards in blue ballpoint pen, signatures obtained at the time, circa 1970, of key Cincinnati Reds "Big Red Machine" players and manager Sparky Anderson. All are a sharp PSA/DNA Mint 9, except the Johnny Bench which was graded a tough NM-MT 8.
The group of 6 includes:
Sparky Anderson-HOF, deceased 2010, signed here as George Anderson, rather than the later and more common Sparky
Johnny Bench-a classic example of his iconic penmanship
Pete Rose-what else can be said about this legend and his special signature?
George Foster-became '77 NL MVP
Bernie Carbo-a key figure in the '70 World Series & then as a Red Sox player against the Reds in the '75 World Series
Dave Concepcion-a 9 time All-Star and 2 time World Series champion (remind us why he is NOT enshrined in Cooperstown??)
Provenance:
Our consignor Matt Bombeck collected sports autographs in the late 1960’s through the early 1970’s while living in the Dayton, Ohio area. Along with getting autographs at University of Dayton basketball games, Cincinnati Royals NBA games and Cincinnati Reds games, Matt was active mailing to players during these years, including their sports cards and index cards to be signed and returned in stamped self-addressed envelopes. While Matt quit collecting in the early 1970’s, he always kept his collection nearby, neatly preserved in sheets and binders, although sometimes packed away for long periods of time. Like many during the “shelter in place” periods of 2020, Matt rediscovered his collection, and ultimately decided it was time to give his autographed treasures a second life, so they are proudly presented here by SCP Auctions.