Offered is one of the most unique autographed items we’ve ever handled; an 8.5” x 11” white sheet of paper with a newspaper article from 1976 that appeared in a Chicago newspaper, entitled, “It’s Not So Bad For Everyone.”
The gist of the article is about how the economy was in the toilet (in 1976), but nonetheless, the Chciago area can boast of at least 10 multimillionaires, according to Tom Ward, a careful observer of the money scene. One enterprising autograph collector decided to gather the autographs of 9 out of the 10 people mentioned in the article. In addition to the unique quality of this piece are the comments that these people wrote with their names.
Autographs include:
Ray Kroc – (D. 1984) the man who turned McDonalds into the biggest fast food restaurant in the World. Kroc was included on Time Magazine’s list of the 100 Most Important People of the 20th Century. He would also go on to own the San Diego Padres.
Mrs. Lester Norris (Deceased) Chicago heiress and widow of Lester Norris (she wrote, “also not true”)
Arthur Wirtz (D. 1984) Hockey HOFer who owned Chicago Stadium, Chicago Black Hawks, and Chicago Bulls.
John Swearingen (D. 2007) President of Standard Oil in Indiana
John D. MacArthur (D. 1978) owner of Bankers Life and Casualty Co, which became one of the biggest insurance companies in the United States (he wrote, “not true” after the article said he was worth $500 million)
Bob Galvin (D. 2011) CEO of Motorola from 1959-86. He was the son of the founder of the company, Paul Galvin.
John H. Johnson (D. 2005) In 1982 he would become the first African American to appear on the Forbes 400. Johnson was the founder of both Ebony and Jet Magazines.
Charles O. Finley (D. 1996) best remembered as the owner of the Kansas City and Oakland A’s. He also was the owner of the NHL’s, California Golden Seals and the ABA’s Memphis Tams. Finley wrote the most scathing remarks about the article, “Irwin – I do wish this B.S. was true. It isn’t.”
One of a kind!!!!
Additional Full LOA from PSA/DNA