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Lot # 6: The Finest Walter Johnson Single-Signed Baseball (PSA NM-MT 8 Overall - Highest Graded)

Starting Bid: $10,000.00

Bids: 68 (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



Roughly a century old, we are confident in deeming this exceptional single-signed Walter Johnson baseball the finest we have ever seen. Official American League baseball is circa 1929, and was featured on Antiques Roadshow. One of the rarest single-signed baseballs in the hobby, the Big Train's signature on the sweet spot in black fountain ink is as bold as it was the day that it was signed with no smudges or bleeding of any sort. Ball is clean and off-white with very strong and clear stamping, and the lot also includes the original box in which it was preserved; the copyright date on the box is listed at 1925 but Barnard did not become AL president until '27, meaning this was from very late in the career or early post-career as he was a manager from 1929-35. Even in an era in which pitchers "finished what they started," Johnson was an incredible workhorse, tossing 531 complete games in 666 starts, including a standing MLB record of 110 shutouts. That total is well ahead of the 90 posted by nearest follower Grover Cleveland Alexander and in the modern era of specialization is a record that likely will never be broken (for reference, Nolan Ryan reeled off 61 in his epic career). Decades before the advent of the Cy Young award, the Washington Senators' right-hander captured American League MVP honors for both the 1913 and 1924 seasons, and was named to MLB's 100th Anniversary team in 1999. Spectacular and rare single-signed specimen has been graded 8 overall by PSA, is the highest graded example known and comes with PSA LOA.  

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