Baseball Hall of Famer Ted Williams, a native of San Diego who attended Herbert Hoover High School in the 1930’s, became known as “the greatest hitter who ever lived” based on his incredible exploits with a
baseball bat. In fact, the six-time American League batting champ remains the last major leaguer to have cracked the magical .400 barrier when he turned the trick in 1941 by batting an astounding .406.
This lot features a trio of Ted Williams autographed art pieces, all three of which were donated to the San Diego Hall of Champions.
The first is a framed and matted artist’s proof by Christopher Paluso and acknowledges
Williams induction into the San Diego Hall of Champions Breitbard Hall of Fame in 1954. Measuring 20” wide by 27” high, it shows three illustrations of Williams during the course of his baseball career. It is signed in pencil by
both William and Paluso.
The second item, also framed and matted, is an unnumbered artist’s proof that measures 23” wide by 28” high and shows a young Williams following through at the plate during his early days (1936, in fact) of pro ball with the San Diego Padres of the Pacific Coast League. The piece is signed in pencil by both Williams – who added “1936” underneath his signature – and the artist, Lewis Watkins. It was donated by Watkins and includes a specially engraved gold plaque at the bottom that reads: “PRESENTED TO SAN DIEGO HALL OF CHAMPIONS SPORTS MUSEUM TED WILLIAMS DAY JULY 12, 1992 By Lewis Watkins and
Fine Arts Marketing.”
The third and final illustration of Williams throughout his career is an unnumbered artist’s edition done by Paluso that is matted but not framed. Signed by both Williams and the artist, it measures 22” wide by 28.25” high.
Includes Letter of Provenance from the San Diego Hall of Champions. Autographs pre-certified by PSA/DNA.