The 1971 Hall of Fame Induction ceremony was an important one, with eight inductees but none that were elected by the BBWAA.  Seven members - Dave Bancroft, Jake Beckley, Chick Hafey, Harry Hooper, Joe Kelley, Rube Marquand and George Weiss - were inducted by the Veterans' Committee, the most in its history.  One more - Satchel Paige - was selected by the new committee on the Negro Leagues.  It was the original plan of the Hall of Fame not to include Negro League players in the main Hall - a testament to how far the thinking about the importance of Negro League players has evolved in the past few decades.

This attractive program has been signed by four inductees and one additional Hall of Famer in attendance at the ceremony.  Bob Feller joined Chick Hafey, Harry Hooper, Rube Marquand and Satchel Paige in signing the program.  The four newly-elected signatories were the only ones of the eight who were in attendance at the ceremony; Bancroft and Weiss were in poor healthy, and Beckley and Kelley had passed away.

The program presents in VG/EX condition with some minor toning and wear at the edges and corners.  The signatures are bold and legible.  An exceptional piece, marking the Hall of Fame induction of the great Satchel Paige, and the beginning of baseball's acknowledgement of the Negro League greats.  Full LOA from Steve Grad of PSA/DNA.