From the 1938 American/National League All-Star reunion in the 1950s comes this impressive 1938 All-Star team member-signed OAL Harridge (NRMT) ball with 17 signatures including Mike Higgins, Lefty Grove, Red Rolfe, Joe Cronin, John Vander Meer, Bill Terry, Babe Phelps, Joe Medwick, Jimmie Foxx, Lefty Gomez, Roger Cramer, Lloyd Waner, Joe DiMaggio, Fritz Maisel, Earl Averill, Tom Henrich and Ernie Lombardi. The sweet spot looks outstanding with Jimmie Foxx and Joe Medwick. Signatures average 8/10.

Ed Rommel had the unusual distinction of being a top-flight Major League pitcher, for the Philadelphia A’s (1920-1932), and then becoming a successful American League umpire (1938-1959). What a baseball life! What a great situation for him as a collector! Rommel, regarded as the father of the modern knuckleball, won 171 games, twice led the American League in wins, and pitched in a World Series. As an umpire, he took part in two World series, becoming only the third man to both play and umpire in the World Series. In between his long stints as a Big League pitcher and umpire, Rommel spent several years as a major league coach, a season as a minor league manager, and two years as a minor league umpire. Thus, Rommel was around baseball almost continually for forty years, and his long playing and umpiring careers gave him tremendous access to players and managers. As a collector, Rommel knew baseball personages from the early days of baseball through players who debuted in the 1950s and played into the 1970s. Thus, Rommel’s likeable personality and baseball connections meant that he could obtain practically any autograph or photo he desired. Thus, from Cobb and Hornsby and Home Run Baker; from Connie Mack, Ruth, Gehrig, and Foxx; from Mantle, Ted Williams, and Jackie Robinson, Ed Rommel obtained great autographs on baseballs and photos from players and managers who were only too happy to oblige their friend. A wonderful, unique find.