This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/5/2016
Green Bay Packers Collectors, Get Ready! MEARS Auctions is proud to announce the sale of one of the earliest Curly Lambeau NFL era autographs to have ever come to market. Signed during 1922, Curly was leading the Green Bay Packers into their second NFL season. This fact makes this the earliest Green Bay Packers era Curly Lambeau autograph known. 1920 and earlier examples have been uncovered, but those were signed prior to the Packers entering the NFL. Items dating to the team’s inclusion in the NFL are historically more significant. Additionally, Lambeau is pictured three times in this early football relic, one in suit and tie one single shot in civilian clothes, and the same shot as part of the team photo.
While employed at the Green Bay East High School, Earl L. Lambeau was asked to sign this item.
One hundred ninety four pages comprise this vintage yearbook, which is bound with a brown linen paper cover, that included both a bound edge and a three hole punch system which has been neatly tied together in green cotton thread.
Embossed in the upper left corner in green and gold is “HES” and directly underneath in matching style is “Aeroplane” with a vertical design. The year, ’22, is printed in the bottom right corner in green. Based on the green and gold design, I can only speculate that the East High School colors influenced Curly Lambeau’s choice for the Green Bay Packers uniforms.
Printed on first page is “This book belongs to Elizabeth Alston Macdonald, 121 North Clay Street”.
On page fifteen, pictured next two fellow faculty members Le Baron Austin (Director of Music) and Edna G. Thomas (Secretary to Principal) is Earl L. Lambeau, listed as football coach and assistant study room supervisor! Elizabeth asked Mr. Lambeau to sign his official photo, and he obliged by adding a simple yet eloquent, “E. L. Lambeau” in period fountain pen. The signature is signed in the border to the right of his official school portrait.
Furthermore, Ollie Lambeau, Curly’s brother, is pictured along with “Austin Straubel”. During WW2 Austin Straubel was a pilot and was shot down killed on February 3rd, 1942. Straubel has signed the yearbook in pencil.
The book is in excellent overall condition, with some wear to the edges of the cover. Contents remain in excellent to near mint condition.
The item has been examined by the professional staff of JSA and is accompanied by a full letter of authenticity.
(JSA Full Letter)