Certainly the most strange autographed item we have handled - Topsy Hartsel's Social Security card. Hartsel was an excellent outfielder who batted .276 across a 14-year career the majority of which was spent with the Philadelphia Athletics. An outstanding leadoff hitter his lifetime on base percentage was .384 as he led the league in walks five times in his career including four consecutive seasons from 1905 through 1908. Small in stature but an excellent athlete Hartsel was considered one of the premier leadoff hitters of his era with an outstanding batting eye and excellent speed on the basepaths. Presented here is Hartsel's Social Security card (his full name was Tully Frederick Hartsel). Interestingly the date of issue typewritten on the card is December 10 1936. It is theorized that the first Social Security Number was issued sometime in mid-November of 1936 so Hartsel's card was clearly one of the earliest cards issued (though hundreds of thousands of Social Security cards were likely issued around that same time). Hartsel signed the card with his full name in dark ink which has faded considerably over the years. An official legal document that was consigned as part of a number of other items from Hartsel's estate including his lifetime Major League pass we have not had the signature professionally authenticated though we guarantee it will pass with PSA/DNA or James Spence Authentication.