This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 8/28/2011
Of all the men who hit 500 home runs, Mel Ott is the most elusive signature. The first question posed when a man decides to start a 500 home run club collection is "How do I secure an autograph of Mel Ott?"
Well this listing will provide one lucky subscriber a chance to finally cross "Ott" off his wish list. Offered is a 1939 ONL (Frick) ball signed by Ott and the other men who played for New York's other team. Ott paced the team with 36 round-trippers in '39, his second-highest career tally. In all, 24 team members signed this ball in black ink. Autograph grades run the gamut, topping out at about "6" in quality. The Ott penning is stellar outside the "O" on Ott which is almost undecipherable.
Those who signed include: Zeke Bonura, Ott, Carl Hubbell, Cliff Melton, Ken O'Dea, Dick Coffman, Jimmy Ripple, Harry Gumbert, Jumbo Brown, Red Lynn, Burgess Whitehead, Frank Demaree, Bill Lohrman, Tom Hafey, Bill Jures, Johnny McCarthy, Bill Terry, Bob Seeds, Alex Kampouris, Harry Danning, Skeeter Scalzi, Jo-Jo Moore and two more.
i0267
(JSA Auction Letter)