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Lot # 1030: Nat Holman Handwritten and Signed Letter (JSA)

Category: Basketball

Starting Bid: $200.00

Bids: 3 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Late Fall Classic 2021",
which ran from 11/14/2021 7:00 PM to
12/11/2021 10:00 PM



One-page handwritten letter, dated January 3, 1949, signed by basketball Hall of Famer Nat Holman. In his letter, penned on "The City College" letterhead, Holman writes to either his attorney or agent and thanks him for taking care of a business matter. In part: ". . . . many thanks for handling this item for me. Hoping all is well with you and with best wishes for a Happy New Year, I remain, Sincerely, Nat Holman." Both the text and signature are scripted in black fountain pen and grade 10/10 overall. Accompanying the letter, is a second one-page typed letter, written to Holman on December 27, 1949, which provides context for Holman's letter (Holman's handwritten letter almost certainly dates from January 3, 1950, not 1949; like many people do in early January, he probably wrote the wrong year out of habit.) In the letter to Holman, from M. Burawoy, the president of Congress Products, he is being asked to rescind a contract and return a $250 royalty advance he received for allowing his image to be used on leather goods. As noted in the letter, Borawoy's idea "to manufacture leather goods with designs of famous sportsmen has been so far a complete failure." Interestingly, the "leather goods" Burawoy refers to are probably familiar to baseball collectors. They were wallets with the likenesses of such stars as Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, and Jackie Robinson. Holman was an early pro basketball star who also enjoyed a highly successful coach career at CCNY. In 1950, the year of this letter, Holman became the only college coach in history to lead his team to titles in both the NCAA and NIT tournaments during the same year. The letter (8.5x11") displays two horizontal folds, light toning, and two punched holes along the top border. In Very Good condition overall. Full LOA from JSA. 

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