Lot # 8: The Incredible Contents of Walter Johnson's Personal Scrapbook & Photo Album

Category: Featured Items

Starting Bid: $1,000.00

Bids: 8 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Summer, 2018 Auction",
which ran from 7/26/2018 4:03 AM to
8/12/2018 8:34 AM



Incredible contents of Walter Johnson's personal scrapbook and photo album previously tucked away in a private collection until recently making their way to public auction. At a high level the collection includes 50 individual pieces including original photographs documents letters and telegrams from a variety of friends and dignitaries along with some other related items. Each of the items has been removed from its original scrapbook with some resultant paper remnants visible on the reverse (particularly with the photos) and some contain handwritten notations from Johnson himself describing the subjects or contents. On a more detailed level the collection is filled with fascinating correspondence often from famous personalities. There are a host of beautiful photos some never before seen. It is a personal look at one of the game's greatest pitchers in the context of recognizing which items were important enough for The Big Train to keep and to include in his scrapbook. For that reason despite the fact that some of the letters and photos possess significant individual value we have elected to keep the contents together and sell them as a whole and we hope the winning bidder will recognize their historical significance and keep them together as well. Included in the collection are the following: 1) Letters (7): Handwritten or signed letters most dating to the late 1920s and all very complimentary toward Johnson. Authors include Billy Evans (GM of the Cleveland Indians) Lawrence Richey (Secretary to the President Hoover) General John J Pershing Bill McGowan (Hall of Fame Umpire) Amos Fries (Chief of the US Chemical Warfare Service) General J.E. Fechet (Air Force General) and one unidentifiable. A cut-up letter and cut signature from Ban Johnson is also included. We have taken the liberty of obtaining full Letters of Authenticity on the signatures of Billy Evans Ban Johnson Bill McGowan and General Pershing from James Spence Authentication. 2) Testimonials (2): Typewritten testimonials from J. Ed Grillo (baseball editor of the Washington Star) and Billy Sunday. 3) Requests from the Walter Johnson Twentieth Anniversary Testimonial Committee (4 plus one blank letterhead sheet): Four "Dear Sir" letters written by Chairman General Anton Stephan soliciting attendance and participation in a testimonial dinner to celebrate Johnson's 20 years with the Washington Senators. 4) Telegrams (15): A variety of telegrams sent to Johnson congratulating him on his 20 years in baseball. Senders include Dave Bancroft (HOF) Bill Carrigan and the Boston Red Sox Kiki Cuyler (HOF) Johnny Evers (HOF) Heinie Groh John Heydler (NL President) Ban Johnson (AL President) Kenesaw Mountain Landis Ring Lar

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