This letter with some great content and was handwritten by Connie Mack to one of his Philadelphia A's stars, Rube Goldring. In flowing black fountain ink and on beautiful Shibe Park stationary, the letter - dated "Feb 1, 1918" - details Mack's successfully talking Oldham out of retirement. The versatile infielder/outfielder had helped Philadelphia to World Series titles in 1911 and 1913, but retired for the 1917 season to tend to his farm. Mack indicates that he is, "satisfied there is some good ball left in you," and requests, "don't let anyone know you have signed. Will spring it some day on them." Letter is nicely framed and mounted to approximately 15x18" and there is slight foxing to the paper. The writing and signature are 7/10.

In Philadelphia, during the dead-ball era, Rube Oldring was a name known by all. He was a star player for the 1911 and 1913 World Champion Philadelphia Athletics. Both of those Championships are represented here in fine splendor. Even though he was never considered for the Baseball Hall of Fame, Oldring was a reliable and gritty player for Connie Mack’s A’s dynasty. After spending 14 years in the major leagues, Rube went on playing for and managing the Wilson team of the Virginia League to a Championship Pennant. Let us not forget that this is a time period when baseball players had to work during the winter months to provide for their families. Rube was no different as he worked long hours to provide and played as hard as humanly possible because he loved the game of baseball. After retirement from the game, he began farming for a living and spent his entire life in his native, Bridgeton, New Jersey. The relics and treasures presented here have remained in the Olding family until this day. This is the first family-authorized sale of any of the Oldring family’s belongings. Each lot will come with a letter from the family.