Official American Association (Troutman) baseball signed by Hall of Fame second baseman Joe Gordon in black fountain pen. Gordon has inscribed the ball "Best wishes to Jimmy Jr./Joe Gordon," with the inscription spanning two side panels and the sweet spot. The signature (which transverses the side panel and a portion of the sweet spot) grades 8/10 overall. Joe Gordon single-signed baseballs are scarce and this is just the second we have ever offered. The reason for their scarcity is timing. Gordon played in the Majors from 1938-1950, but he wasn't elected to the Hall of Fame until 2009, which was thirty-one years after his death in 1978 at the age of sixty-three. As a result, Gordon singles remain absent from even advanced single-signed Hall of Fame baseball collections. It's rarity notwithstanding, this might represent an early Joe Gordon signed baseball as well. While we have no way of knowing precisely when it was signed, George Troutman was president of the American Association from 1935-1944. Gordon played in the American Association for only two seasons (1936 and 1937) before joining the Yankees in 1938. If Gordon did sign this ball during that two-year span, it would almost certainly be the earliest such example we have seen. The ball is moderately toned and displays a few light abrasions and surface blemishes. In Very Good condition overall. Full LOA from JSA.