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HSC: Ray Chapman (Only Fatality) Signed Artwork P

Currency:USD Category:Sports - Cards & Fan Shop / Sports - Autographs (Original) Start Price:1.00 USD Estimated At:8,000.00 - 10,000.00 USD
HSC: Ray Chapman (Only Fatality) Signed Artwork P
<B>Circa 1920 Ray Chapman Signed Artwork.</B></I> The date was August 16, 1920, and the twenty-nine year old Cleveland Indians shortstop Chapman stood at the plate in Manhattan's Polo Grounds facing tough right-hander Carl Mays of the New York Yankees. Chapman was notorious for crowding the plate, while Mays was an inside pitcher, unafraid to plunk a batter who got too comfortable. On that day, the combination proved deadly. Chapman froze in the face of a high and tight pitch and was felled with a loud crack to the skull that resonated throughout the cavernous New York City ballpark. Chapman never regained consciousness, and died the next day from his injuries. Offered here is a simply remarkable autograph from the only man killed in Major League Baseball action. The black ink inscription, "Ray Chapman, Cleveland B.B. Club" rates a perfect 10/10, and finds a home on a wonderful work of art from noted silhouette artist Beatrix Sherman, whose autograph is also present. The detail of the artwork is just astounding, considering that it was hand-cut from a piece of black paper, with even the wisp of the eyelashes included. Recently Sherman's silhouette of Harry Houdini, signed by the famed magician, sold at auction for $8,000, while other works portraying such luminaries as President Roosevelt, Harding, Coolidge, Mary Pickford, Geraldine Farrar and the Prince of Wales have commanded similar sums. Top autograph expert and PSA/DNA frontman Steve Grad notes that this is one of fewer than five known examples of Chapman's signature, and the only known signed image. He also unhesitatingly proclaimed this autograph to be the "most pristine" of the tiny population. The white card onto which the silhouette was glued and the signatures were placed measures 3.75x5.5", and shows just the slightest bit of unobtrusive edge wear. An exceptional piece, of which only the finest baseball autograph collections could be truly worthy. <I>LOA from Steve Grad & Zach Rullo/ PSA DNA.</B></I>