This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/28/2019
The offered red-and-blue stitched ball (illegible manufacturer's stampings) originates from a 1931 contest between the Eastern League's Hartford team and the famed House of David baseball team led by Hall of Fame pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander. The rare and unique ball features 15 blue fountain pen signatures by members of the 1931 Eastern League Champion Hartford Senators, 10 of whom later played in the Major Leagues: Paul Richards, Alta Cohen, Nelson Greene, Max Rosenfeld, Bob Reis, Phil Gallivan, Earl Mattingly, Van Mungo, Art Jones and Johnny Mann. Most significant is the addition of Alexander, signed, “G C. Alexander" (7/10), with the notation "House of David" written above his name. The notation "1931 Champions" is also written in blue fountain pen on the same panel as the Alexander signature.
A previous catalog description for this ball states that it originates from the collection of William Chotiner of West Hartford, Connecticut. Chotiner was a prominent Hartford businessman who was closely affiliated with Hartford's minor-league team beginning in the 1920s. In addition to owning a fast-pitch softball team called "Kahn's Kings," for which he both played and managed until the age of 61, Mr. Chotiner was a fixture for decades at the Bulkeley Stadium in Hartford and later served as an Eastern League executive. Grover Alexander managed and pitched for the House of David team up until 1938 and was one of the top draws for the club during that period. This ball was purportedly obtained by Chotiner after the game between the two clubs. Signatures range from 6-8/10, averaging 7/10. The ball shows a degree of soiling and surface abrasions (not affecting the Alexander signature) indicative of game use, coming in VG condition overall. Full LOA from JSA.