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Lot # 537: 1929 Harry Heilmann Signed Bank Note

Starting Bid: $200.00

Bids: 10 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2023 Spring Classic",
which ran from 4/2/2023 7:00 PM to
4/22/2023 10:00 PM



Hall of Fame outfielder Harry Heilmann was a terrific hitter whose nickname of "Slug" attested to his extreme lack of speed. Heilmann played 19 years of Major League baseball: 17 years with the Detroit Tigers (1914 and 1916-29) and two years with the Cincinnati Reds (1930 and '32). "He [Heilmann] was no faster than an ice wagon," said Hall of Fame sportswriter Tommy Holmes. "Without a doubt, he was the slowest moving great hitter who ever lived." Despite the lack of speed that robbed Heilmann of many infield hits, he managed to win four American League batting titles and had a career Major League batting average of .342. Sportswriter Harry Grayson opined that if Heilmann had possessed speed, that he would have been the best right-handed hitter in history, surpassing Rogers Hornsby. After his playing career, Heilmann became a long-time radio announcer for the Detroit Tigers. He was a favorite of Tigers rooters who enjoyed his sense of humor. Bugaboo, a fly spray, was a sponsor of Tigers broadcasts, and when a fly ball was caught by an outfielder, Heilman would say, "Bugaboo! Another fly dead." The signed bank note measures 3.6x8.75". It is from the Union State Bank of Fordson, Michigan in the amount of one hundred and fifty dollars ($150.00) and made out to "R.N. Finnloen(?)." The bank note is dated Aug. 15, 1929, and it was signed during Heilmann's playing days. The note has a crease in the center. It also has a few small stains, and a few places in which the ink shows smudges. It shows a light amount of wear from dampness. Heilmann's signature has a slight smudge at the top of the H in Harry; otherwise, the signature is 8/10. The signed bank note can enhance a sports collection because Heilmann's signature is a very tough Hall of Fame signing.

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