Mid Summer Classic Auction 2016
Tue, Mar 8, 2016 04:00PM EST - Sat, Aug 20, 2016 11:00PM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 707
NED HANLON SIGNED 1897 BILL HOFFER BALTIMORE PLAYER'S CONTRACT PSA/DNA MINT 9 AUTO.
Unsold
Bid Increments
| Price | Bid Increment |
|---|---|
| $0 | $10 |
| $200 | $25 |
| $500 | $50 |
| $1,000 | $100 |
| $3,000 | $250 |
| $5,000 | $500 |
| $10,000 | $1,000 |
| $30,000 | $2,500 |
| $50,000 | $5,000 |
| $100,000 | $10,000 |
| $200,000 | $20,000 |
| $300,000 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
The signature of Ned Hanlon who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1996 represents one of the “Holy Grails” for autograph collectors. Over the lifetime of our hobby only a handful of authentic signature examples of Foxy Ned have surfaced. When one takes into consideration the confluence of factors regarding the offered piece its scarcity and exceptional condition the rarity of Hanlon’s signature the unique provenance and the fact that it relates to one of the most significant baseball dynasties in history it could easily be argued that this is perhaps one of the finest autographed 19th Century baseball items to ever surface.
In 1892 future Hall of Fame manager Ned Hanlon took over the reins of the Baltimore Orioles one of the league’s perennial doormats. In just two short years he quickly molded the club into the top team of the decade. Foxy Ned’s club won three consecutive League titles and two Temple Cup championships between the years 1894-1897 and in doing so they revolutionized the game with their precise and disciplined style of “inside” baseball. The Orioles under Hanlon’s guidance were the epitome of team play mastering the techniques of the hit and run the squeeze play and base running to a level never duplicated before or since. Of the many top players coached by Hanlon during that championship era (including the likes of John McGraw Hughie Jennings Dan Brouthers and Willie Keeler) the man Hanlon considered to be the most valuable was pitcher Bill Hoffer. During the three year period of 1895-1897 Hoffer compiled a 78-24 record including 31 wins in 1895 and twice led the League in winning percentage. Presented is Bill Hoffer’s 1897 Baltimore Orioles player contract (8-3/4” x 14”) which has been signed on the interior by Ned Hanlon. The unexecuted contract which bears a commencement date of April 15 1897 appears to be entirely filled out in Hanlon’s hand and represents the legal agreement between the “Baltimore Base Ball and Exhibition Company” and “H.L. Hoffer.” The four-page document survives in remarkably fine condition existing today as one of the most exciting baseball documents the hobby has ever seen.
Full LOA from PSA/DNA with a MINT 9 autograph Grade.
NOTE: This item last sold at auction in 2009 for $41825.
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