Fall Premier Auction 2018
Wed, Nov 21, 2018 04:00PM EST - Sat, Dec 8, 2018 11:00PM EST
Timed Auction
Lot 206
1926 JIM BOTTOMLEY SIGNED ST. LOUIS CARDINALS PLAYERS CONTRACT
Sold for
$4,140
Sold Price includes BP
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $20,000 | $2,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
Aside from his single game record of twelve RBIs and his 1928 N.L. MVP season Jim Bottomley was admired for his quirky and likable demeanor which set him apart and is wonderfully captured in this touching excerpt from his 1959 New York Times obituary: "He wore his baseball cap at a jaunty angle and his mannerisms on the playing field made him a Ladies' Day favorite. But he was equally the favorite of the male fans for his slugging prowess."
Presented here is a four-page fold-over contract dated March 18 1926 between "Sunny Jim" Bottomley and the St. Louis National Baseball Club. The contract is signed in black fountain pen by both "James T. Bottomley" (9/10) and "Branch Rickey" (9/10) then vice president of the Cardinals. A stamped facsimile signature of National League president John Heydler appears on the reverse. The one-year contract for the 1926 season calls for Bottomley to receive a salary of $7500. Turn out the Cardinals got a nice return on that investment as their catcher would lead the league that year in RBI (120) doubles (40) and total bases (305) while posting a solid .299 average on their way to a World Series title. Two years later Bottomley would help lead the Cardinals to another World Series title as the National League MVP.
The contract has a few small tears at the ends of the fold lines but presents as EX condition. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.
Payment for your invoice must clear in full prior to shipping. All items will be shipped from SCP Auctions’ Laguna Niguel, CA office in the order that payments are received. Please allow up to three business days following clearance of payment for items to ship. All items will be shipped UPS/FedEx Ground unless you contact us to discuss an alternative shipping method. If you would like your items shipped in a different method, such as UPS/FedEx Next Day or UPSFedEx 2-Day, you must contact our Post Sale Services Manager Veronica Rodriguez by emailing customerservice@scpauctions.com to discuss alternative shipping instructions. Prior to bidding, please be aware of estimated shipping costs, especially for large or heavy lots. You may contact SCP Auctions for any shipping estimates lots you are bidding on or interested in bidding on. If you intend to pick up your items in person at the SCP Auctions office, please call us to schedule. Payment must clear prior to items being available for pick-up.
