This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 9/1/2013
“Many years hence, whenever I shall look at this album, I shall think of you. So my dear friends, think of what you write. Your words must be not only clever. But fit to adorn this book forever.” These were the words printed at the front the owner’s school autograph album. Little did anyone know the true significance of that statement nor the future contents of the pages.
The book itself is leather covered with the front neatly tooled with an intricate pattern of four squares carefully tooled and designed to frame the center printed title “AUTOGRAPHS”, which is outlined by a starburst. The paper is high quality with gold gilded edges. The binding of the paper is still tight.
A prized personal possession of the owner, the inside cover and the first page is neatly written with the school song. In part it reads,
“High upon a lofty hill top
Wondrous fair to see
Stands a school by all admirers
P.S. 53”
Several pages in the owner’s name are revealed,” P.S. 53, Morris Brecher, 8B”. The owners name is followed by a picture of the school. Parts of his personality are revealed by the questionnaire that is included and intended for the owner to answer. In neat fountain pen, Mr. Brecher provided the following answers:
My ambition is to become: Musician
My favorite school subject is: Arithmetic
My favorite author is: Burt L. Standish
My favorite book is: The Shortstop
My favorite poem is: Old Ironside
My favorite song is: The School Song
My favorite motto is: Be Prepared
My favorite hero is: Rogers Hornsby
My favorite school game is: Baseball
I expect to go to: Theodore Roosevelt
Judging from the answers, the owner was certainly a baseball fan, but it was someone of a surprise that a New Yorker would answer “Rogers Hornsby” as his favorite baseball player.
The next several pages are adorned with signatures of teachers, classmates, and one relative, “Clara Brecher”. The next 44 pages are signed with special quips penned by fellow classmates, with many being dated June 1927. This book was something treasured by the owner with all of his loved ones captured within the books’ pages.
On the back side of the next page, baseball players appear.
June 13, 1927 (upper right corner) on pink album page
Luke Sewell (1927 Indians)
John Burnett (1927 Indians)
Cedric Durst
Waite Hoyt
Jules Wera
Myles Thomas
Urban Shocker
Ray Morehart
Each signature appears in dark fountain pen signature.
On the first side of the next sheet appears:
June 11th, 1927 (upper right corner) on front side of blue album page
Earle Combs
“Babe” Ruth
Emil Leuser (1927 Indians)
Homer Summer
Arthur Fletcher
Joe Giard
“June 11th, 1927 (upper right corner), backside of blue album page
Ben Paschal
Pat Collins
Doc Woods
Bennie Bengough
June 11th, 1927 (upper right corner) on front side of yellow album page
Dutch Ruether
Bob Shawkey
Lou Gehrig
Wilcy Moore
According to the Baseball Almanac.com, the Yankees played the Cleveland Indians in New York during June 11th-13th, 1927, thus allowing the New York resident access to the team. A cut of Tony Lazzeri is loosely floating in the book, and its original origin unknown. A couple of visiting members of the Cleveland Indians signed the book also and are noted.
The book remains in exceptional, near mint condition. Each autograph is vibrant, with dark, black, fountain pen signatures, also appearing as near mint/mint. This lot offers a very unique look at the mindset of an early autograph collector. To think that his Bronze resident carried this book to Yankee Stadium and met with 18 members of the “Murderer’s Row”. Others may also, but his June day is memorialized forever in this book. LOA JSA, Jimmy Spence
(G0400)
(JSA Auction Letter)