This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/7/2014
Landis was baseball's first and greatest commissioner, hired in 1920 with the express purpose of cleaning up the 1919 "Black Sox" scandal. The owners were happy with the expediency in which Landis dealt with baseball's problems but they soon found out that Landis was not a man to take orders from anyone. He ruled baseball with an iron hand and was a zealous defender of player rights, making free agents out of hundreds of minor league players who were being "covered up" by their parent ball clubs. He was the dominant figure in the sport during his tenure (1920-1944) and his legacy is such that he is considered by many today to be one of the most influential men in the history of the game. Landis was elected to the Hall of Fame just one month after his death in 1944.
Given the nature of his position and the length of his tenure, Landis’ signature is not difficult to locate, especially on correspondence or official documents. However, a Landis single signed baseball, such as the example offered here, is an extreme rarity. Bearing no visible manufacturer’s markings, this late 1930’s baseball features a long and elegantly scripted blue ink signature on the sweet spot from the first Commissioner of Baseball, Kennesaw Mountain Landis rating 7-8/10. A side panel notation "July 30, 1939 Cubs vs Giants" appears in an unknown hand. The moderately soiled ball presents well in Very Good condition overall. This is a rare opportunity add an important and seldom seen single signed Hall of Famer baseball to your collection.
Full LOA from PSA/DNA.