The 1978 Grand Slam issue was a collector's set produced by Donruss photographer Jack Wallin, designed as a way for autograph collectors to obtain the signatures of some of the game's greats. Each of the 2 1/4" x 3 1/4" cards are printed in black and white, with the player name printed along the bottom and player biographical information printed on the reverse. Just 2,000 sets were produced.
Before the set was printed, the subject of card #53, outfielder Carl Reynolds, unfortunately passed away at just 75 years of age. Since his passing would make it impossible to complete an autographed set, a second card #53 was produced, but just 500 printed - of pitcher Sal Maglie. Still, seven players in total passed away within a year of the set's production: Reynolds, Rube Walberg, George McQuinn, Dale Alexander, Hal Trosky and Stan Hack. McQuinn, a seven-time All-Star second baseman, died on Christmas Eve of 1978 at the age of 68, meaning he was alive for just a few months after the card was produced, making it an extremely difficult signed card to obtain.
Presented here is an outstanding achievement in autograph collecting - a nearly-complete set, missing just three cards for completion. 42 of the cards' subjects are in the Hall of Fame.
Collection includes the following signed cards: Leo Durocher, Bob Lemon, Earl Averill, Dale Alexander, Hank Greenberg, Waite Hoyt, Al Lopez, Lloyd Waner, Bob Feller, Guy Bush, Stan Hack, Zeke Bonura, Wally Moses, Fred Fitzsimmons, Johnny Vander Meer, Riggs Stephenson, Bucky Walters, Charlie Grimm, Phil Cavaretta, Wally Berger, Joe Sewell, Edd Roush, Johnny Mize, Bill Dickey, Lou Boudreau, Bill Terry, Willie Kamm, Charlie Gehringer, Stan Coveleski, Larry French, George Kelly, Terry Moore, Billy Herman, Babe Herman, Carl Hubbell, Buck Leonard, Gus Suhr, Burleigh Grimes, Lew Fonseca, Travis Jackson, Enos Slaughter, Freddie Lindstrom, Rick Ferrell, Cookie Lavagetto, Stan Musial, Hal Trosky, Hal Newhouser, Paul Dean, George Halas, Jocko Conlan, Joe DiMaggio, Bobby Doerr, Sal Maglie, Pete Reiser, Frank McCormick, Mel Harder, George Uhle, Dot Cramer, Taylor Douthit, Cecil Travis, Cool Papa Bell, Charlie Keller, Bill Hallahan, Debs Garms, Rube Marquard, Augie Galan, George Pipers, Hal Schumacher, Dolf Camilli, Paul Richards, Jody Johnson, Frank Crosetti, Peanuts Lowery, Walter Alston, Dutch Leonard, Barney McCosky, Joe Dobson, George Kell, Ted Lyons, Johnny Pesky, Hank Borowy, Ewell Blackwell, Pee Wee Reese, Monte Irvin, Joe Moore, Joe Wood, Babe Dahlgren, Bibb Falk, Eddie Lopat, Rip Sell, Marty Marion, Taft Wright, Allie Reynolds, Harry Walker, Tex Hughson, George Selkirk, Dom DiMaggio, Walker Cooper, Phil Rizzuto, Robin Roberts, Joe Adcock, Hank Bauer, Frank Baumholtz, Ray Boone, Smoky Burgess, Walt Dropo, Alvin Dark, Carl Erskine, Dick Donovan, Dee Fondy, Mike Garcia, Bob Friend, Ned Garver, Billy Goodman, Larry Jansen, John Antonelli, Ted Kluszewski Harvey Kuenn, Clem Labine, Red Schoendienst, Don Larsen, Vernon Law, Charlie Maxwell, Wally Moon, Bob Nieman, Wally Post, Warren Spahn, Vic Raschi, Dusty Rhodes, Jim Rivera, Pete Runnels, Hank Sauer, Roy Sievers, Bobby Shantz, Curt Simmons, Bob Skinner, Bill Skowron, Sandy Koufax, Gerry Staley, Frank Thomas, Bobby Thomson, Bob Turley, Vic Wertz, Bill Virdon, Gene Woodling, Eddie Yost, Lefty Gomez, Al Rosen, Vince DiMaggio, Bill Nicholson, Mark Koenig, Max Lanier, Ken Keltner, Whit Wyatt, Marvin Owen, Red Lucas, Babe Phelps, Pete Donohue, Johnny Cooney, Glenn Wright, Willis Hudlin, Tony Cuccinello, Bill Bevans, Dave Ferriss, Whitey Kurowski, Buddy Hassett, Sosie Bluege, Hoot Evers, Thornton Lee, Virgil Davis, Bob Shawkey, Smead Jolley, Andy High, George McQuinn, Mickey Vernon, Birdie Tebbets, Jack Kramer, Don Kolloway, Claude Passeau, Spec Shea, Bob O'Farrell, Bob Johnson, Ivan Goodman, Mike Kreevich, Joe Stripp, Mickey Owen, Hughie Critz, Ethan Allen, Billy Rogell, Joe Kuhel, Dale Mitchell, Eldon Auker, Johnny Beazley, Spud Chandler, Ralph Branca and Joe Cronin. 195 signed cards, auction LOA from James Spence Authentication.
In addition to the 195, two cards - Dale Alexander, and Jackie Jensen - have been authenticated by PSA/DNA. The Jackie Jensen card is authentic, but has been mislabeled by PSA/DNA as being Joe Kuhel.
The cards of Don Newcombe and Johnny Podres are included with the set, though both signatures did not pass authentication with James Spence Authentication. The extremely difficult Rube Walberg is the only possible signed card missing for completion. 197 cards total.