Spring Premier Auction 2015
Wed, Apr 8, 2015 08:00PM EDT - Mon, Apr 27, 2015 12:30AM EDT
Timed Auction
Lot 543
THURMAN MUNSON AUTOGRAPHED 16 X 20 PHOTO PERSONALIZED TO RECORD PRODUCER NAT TARNOPOL
Sold for
$4,915.20
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 | $25,000 |
| $500,000 | $50,000 |
| $1,000,000 | $100,000 |
| $1,500,000 | $150,000 |
This super rare 16" by 20" color photograph of the late great Thurman Munson with his signature and personalized message to an American pop culture icon is one of the largest and most impressive Munson signed photos to ever to surface in the hobby. Known as a reluctant signer Munson was killed in a plane crash in 1979 at the tender age of 32. Autographed memorabilia from the New York Yankee catcher and fan favorite is few and far between. Larger than 8" x 10" photos are almost non-existent and signed versions are simply unheard of. Munson built quite the rsum of awards and accolades during his 11-year career in New York: 7 All-Stars 2 World Series 3 Gold Gloves 1970 AL Rookie of the Year and 1976 AL MVP. In 1976 he became the first Yankee team captain since Lou Gehrig breaking a 37-year drought. Simply put he was the heart and soul of the Yankees in the 1970s.
The classy shot of Munson arms folded sans his usual mustache rocking the thick sideburns with a look of concentration and reflection is presented on a .5 cm foam poster board. Munson has added a rather large personal autograph and inscription over the right sleeve of his home pinstriped Yankee jersey in 8-9/10 black marker. It reads "Nat One likable person. One hell of a man. Thurman Munson." The dimensions of the entire message are roughly 4" tall by 6" wide; Munson's autograph alone is 1" by 5.5". By Nat he means his good friend Nat Tarnopol a famous record producer in the 1960s and 70s (president of Brunswick Records) who befriended a few Yankee players and often expressed his desire to purchase the team. Reggie Jackson credits Tarnopol for making the 1977 deal happen that brought Mr. October from Baltimore to New York. Munson's relationship with Tarnopol is well-documented in his 2009 biography "Munson: The Life and Death of a Yankee Captain."
One thing to note about the condition of the photo. There is a crease/indentation on the bottom right-hand side about "1 by 2" in surface area. However it is so close to the edge that a good matte and frame job would eliminate it from view. Other than that the piece comes in Excellent-Mint condition with only a few other minor imperfections around the edges and corners. Overall just an incredible Munson piece you won't find anywhere else in the hobby!
Full LOA from PSA/DNA.
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