Memorabilia

Tom Seaver’s 1969 Topps Contract Extension

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Here’s another historically significant Topps contract, signed by Tom Seaver on March 8, 1969 – the spring of the year the Amazin’ Mets would win the World Series!

Mastro auctioned off this contract in September 2000 with the following description:

Not just any Topps contract extension, this one is dated 1969! Who would know that Seaver would finish with a 25-7 record fueled by a 2.21 ERA? Or that the Amazin’ Mets would win the World Series? Seaver got the Cy Young, and Topps got a two-year extension for the bonus payment of a whopping $75 or a gift – whichever he wanted to choose. The contract, signed and dated March 8, 1969, has a bold ballpoint Seaver signature that extends over two portions of the typing on the contract. It grades at least a 9.

The contract reads:

Agreement between George Thomas Seaver Player, and TOPPS CHEWING GUM, INC.

We, the undersigned, hereby agree to extend the term of our present contract, plus extensions, if any, for an additional period of two years or two full Baseball Seasons, as the case may be, on the same terms and conditions contained in said contract. This extension agreement shall be governed by the Laws of the State of New York.

A bonus payment of $75.00 (or as his choice an extension gift as offered by Topps in lieu of his bonus payment), will be due the player the first time after signing this extension that he is or becomes an active member of a Major League Baseball Team between May 15 and August 15.

Here’s a cleaner copy of the contract courtesy of PSA’s Tom Seaver AutographFacts page.

And here’s another extension contract signed by Seaver in March 1975. Lelands tried to sell it, but by the final bid of $838 in August 2006, failed to meet the reserve.

Happy collecting!

A Piece of Yankees History: Thurman Munson’s 1973 Payroll Check

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Here’s an original New York Yankees payroll check signed by Thurman Munson—a tough and highly sought-after autograph from the beloved captain. 

Mastro sold the check in April 2006; here’s what they wrote about it:

In 1973, Thurman Munson had already established himself as a New York Yankee mainstay. He enjoyed one of his finest seasons that year by batting .301 and smashing a career-high twenty home runs. This colorful Yankees payroll check measures 3-1/2” x 7-7’16” and presents in overall EX/MT condition. Dated December 14, 1973, it is made payable to Thurman Munson for the amount of $1,740.54. Munson has endorsed the back “Thurman Munson” in blue ballpoint. The signature is clearly readable, projects “10” in strength and is free from any back stampings. A small area of peripheral paper loss on the reverse is removed from Munson’s quality endorsement. The Yankee captain and seven-time All-Star tragically died in 1979 in an airplane crash. A very difficult signature to acquire on an official New York Yankees check. LOA from Steve Grad/PSA DNA and LOA from James Spence Authentication

Minimum Bid $300

REA sold this exact check in the spring of 2010 for $1,998. But more recently, checks like this have been selling for ~$4k.

Happy collecting!

Another Rare Wilson Die-Cut: John Brodie’s 1960s Advertising Sign

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A couple of weeks ago, I shared a 1960s Jerry West Wilson Die-Cut Advertising Sign celebrating 50 years of Wilson. It turns out they made one for John Brodie, too!

Here’s its description from Mastro’s December 2007 catalog:

During the 1960s the likeness of football star John Brodie helped Wilson, one of the top sports retailers in the United States commemorate its 50th anniversary. And why not John Brodie? He was a collegiate phenom and a figurehead with the popular San Francisco 49ers. The talented quarterback is vividly captured in the die-cut advertising sign offered here, shown in a ready-to-throw action shot and wearing his 49ers attire. Wilson’s striking message-“a progressive past…a golden future”-is printed near the lower edge of the 22-1/2”-tall example. The well-preserved piece shows a few furrows-primarily at the face, left hand and left shoulder-though the bright colors remain unaffected. Matted and framed to total dimensions of 23-3/4” x 30-1/8”

Minimum Bid $200

And just like the Jerry West version, I can’t find another copy of this one either!

Happy collecting!

Rare 1945 Cubs World Series Ticket Sign: A Cool Hobby Cave Piece from Wrigley Field

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If you’re a Cubs fan, how’s this for a cool hobby cave display piece: a 1945 World Series Ticket Sign from Wrigley Field?

This one came from a 2003 auction catalog, but in June 2016, Lelands sold the following Game 6 copy for $360, and I think it’s the exact same one (see the top right corner)

You can find other 10” x 14” Gate versions of these signs, but this one depicts four mounted proof tickets for Gate 2 and Game 6: Standing Room ($3.60), Lower Grand Stand ($6.00), Mezzanine ($7.20), and Box ($7.20). The tickets were used so ticket takers could identify fakes and differentiate tickets intended for that gate.

And hey, the Cubs actually won this game!

Happy collecting!

Jerry West’s Vintage All-Pro Basketball Shoes Are My New Grail

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I may become a sneakerhead after all; I’d love to get a pair of these Jerry West All-Pro Basketball Shoes for my collection!

These sold for $367 back in November 1999 with the following auction lot description:

Perhaps the greatest shooting guard in NBA history, “Mr. Clutch,” averaged 27 points per game for an amazing 14 seasons. This 14-time All-Star was a real fan favorite and a natural for endorsements. One of these endorsements was All Pro “Jerry West 44” basketball shoes. The distant ancestor of the Air Jordan, these circa 1960s rubber-soled sneakers are offered in their original Near Mint condition box. The lid features a classic image of West, and the box bottom includes 10 “Exclusive Tips” from the Laker guard. The sneakers themselves are unused, Navy blue “boys boat” style shoes, pristine and protected in their original tissue paper wrapping. A refreshing, unusual item that is perfect for display.

I can’t find another for sale online, but then, I have no idea how to search for shoes…happy collecting!

Collecting Bobby Thomson and The Shot Heard Round The World Game

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One of Major League Baseball history’s most iconic games was the “Shot Heard ‘Round the World Game.” The shot refers to the game-winning home run that Bobby Thomson hit off of Ralph Branca on October 3, 1951, to win the National League Pennant. The three-run home run gave the New York Giants the win over the Brooklyn Dodgers in the bottom of the ninth inning to win the best of three playoff series. The Giants went on to lose the World Series to the Yankees in six games. But, the fact that this was the first televised game nationally, coupled with an epic homer and cross-town rivalry, made it legendary. There are many theories on why the name “shot heard round the world” stuck, but I think it’s because of the extended media coverage.

Russ Hodges gave the epic live description of Thomson’s home run on WMCA-AM:

There’s a long drive … it’s gonna be, I believe … The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! The Giants win the pennant! Bobby Thomson hits into the lower deck of the left-field stands! The Giants win the pennant and they’re going crazy! They’re going crazy! I don’t believe it! I don’t believe it! I do not believe it! Bobby Thomson hit a line drive into the lower deck of the left-field stands and this blame place is going crazy! The Giants! Horace Stoneham has got a winner! The Giants won it by a score of 5 to 4, and they’re picking Bobby Thomson up, and carrying him off the field!

Russ Hodges

In this post, I’ll focus on some obtainable collectibles of Bobby Thomson and his legendary home run.

First, collectors can obtain signed prints of the moment as it happened.

Bobby Thomson Shot Heard ‘Round the World Signed Image

Encapsulated playoff tickets are also available, though they’re pretty rare. Nineteen stubs, fourteen full tickets, and eight “game 2&3” passes exist in the PSA Population Report.

1951 N.L. Playoff Game 3 PSA Ticket

Bobby Thomson also signed baseballs with the game’s date. Sometimes, he inscribed them with “shot heard ’round the world’. Some are available with Ralph Branca’s signature, too.

Bobby Thomson Signed Baseball – Oct 3, 1951

Three different cards described or commemorated the game: the 1953 Red Man Tobacco #25, 1961 Nu-Card Scoops #480, and 1991 Bowman #410.

1953 Red Man Tobacco #25 Bobby Thomson
1961 Nu-Card Scoops #480 Thomson’s Homer Sinks Dodgers
1991 Bowman #410 The Shot Heard ‘Round the World
1991 Bowman #410 The Shot Heard ‘Round the World Reverse

Additionally, the 1952 Topps and Bowman cards of Bobby Thomson enumerate the season he had played leading up to this epic playoff game,

1952 Topps #313 Bobby Thomson
1952 Bowman #2 Bobby Thomson

Other artifacts, like Thomson’s game bat and shoes, can be found in the National Hall of Fame and Museum. His game jersey is part of a private collection, but the location of the ball isn’t known. However, the other items described are a great way to grow your post-war collection and commemorate one of the greatest games of the 20th century.

Happy Collecting!

Rare Vintage Advertising – 1950s Leo Durocher Sugar Crisp Cereal Store Display

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Leo Durocher managed the Giants to a World Series title and pitched sugary cereal to kids! Mastro offered this one in their November 2001 catalog.

Here’s the full item description from the catalog:

In the early 1950’s, Leo Durocher managed the New York Giants to two pennants and a World Championship. During those exciting years, the feisty and popular Durocher endorsed a variety of products, and Madison Avenue saw fit to use his image on this store display advertisement for the Sugar Crisp Cereal Baseball Facts and Fun Book. The offered display ad shows a beaming Leo the Lip with his Giants cap on, encouraging youngsters to eat Sugar Crisp. The display is printed on sturdy advertising stock cardboard and is in Near Mint to Mint condition with the exception of some very light creasing to each of the four corners. The sign has never been used and is quite rare, especially in this exceptional condition. In retrospect, all that sugar may help to explain the many tantrums for which Durocher was so well known. An attractive and very colorful 1950’s advertising sign featuring one of the game’s most memorable managers. Measures an impressive 23” x 28”

Minimum Bid $300

In September 2004, Heritage sold a copy of this display for $489.95 but noted it measured 20″ x 31″ at its greatest dimensions and dated it to 1954.

In the Fall of 2024, REA sold a framed copy for $330, approximating its release to 1955.

You can pick up copies of the Post Sugar Crisp Baseball Facts and Fun Book for ~$45 on eBay, where most copies are dated to 1954.

Happy collecting!