[Rarebooks] baseball item #15 from the Norman Kane collection (FS)

[Peter B. Howard]

1944                “Major League Genuine Leather Warranted 5 oz. 9 in. No. 
159 / Trade OFFICIAL / Mark” BASEBALL.  One-half varnished.
Signed by Hall-of-Famers Honus Wagner and Al Lopez, and the following 1944 
Pittsburg Pirates and Braves, surely on the occasion of a game vs the 
Boston Braves, possibly in Spring Training, or on the occasion of a day 
honoring Wagner. The signatures on the ball argue indisputably for 1944; 
there was a Honus Wagner Day September 5, 1945, when the Dodgers spoiled 
the day (5-3) in ten innings. Wagner died in 1955.
    * Camelli (Hank)  (1943-1947 in ML) Pittsburgh and Braves, hit .229 in 
159 games With Pirates, 1943-1946.  Reserve outfielder.
    * Colman (Frank)  (1942-1947 in ML) with Pirates 1942-1946; then to the 
Yankees. Reserve outfielder and first baseman.
    * Elliott (Bob)  (1939-1953 in ML) with Pirates 1939-1946. All-Star 
third baseman in 1944.
    * Gustine (Frankie)  (1939-1950 in ML) with Pirates 1939-1948. Shortstop.
    * Lopez (Al) (1928-1947 in ML).  Catcher and manager – Hall of Fame, 
1977. With Pirates 1941-1946.
    * Ostermueller (Fritz) (1934-1948 in ML.  Pitcher  (114-115) for 4 
teams. With Pirates 1944-1948.
    * Russell (Jim) (1942-1951 in ML) -  for Pirates, Braves, Dodgers. With 
Pirates, 1942-1947. Starting outfielder, hit .312 in 1944.
    * Wagner (Honus) (1897-1917 in ML) – Hall of Fame, 1936. With Pirates 
1900-1917
    * Zak (Frankie) (1944-1948 in ML). Hit .269 in 123 games for the 
Pirates. 1944  All-star  shortstop and second baseman.
Boston Braves:
    * Drews (Frank)  (1944-1945) second baseman, Braves, averaged .205 in 
95 games
    * Hutchinson (Ira) (1933-1945 in ML).  Pitcher for four teams. With 
Boston in 1944 and 1945.
    * Huston (Warren)  (1937; 1944) – infielder for Athletics (‘37); Braves 
(‘44)
    * Phillips (Damon) (1942; 1944; 1946 in ML)  Cinn in 1942; With Boston 
in 1944, 1946. 70 games, batting .250 for two teams.

         $2500.00

Peter B. Howard
Serendipity Books
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