Athletes from Main Street Fine Books & Manuscripts, ABAA

When basketball inventor James R. Naismith shortly before his death tossed up the ball for the opening tip of the 1939 high school championship game, Connecticut star Vancisin was one of the all-star players competing; after a notable college basketball career he transitioned to coaching, eventually becoming head basketball coach at Yale (1955-75) before becoming the influential director of… Read more about this item

This basketball star played shooting guard and small forward for the New York Knicks from 1949 to 1955, afterward becoming an Air Force Physician; most of his children also went on to notable careers in sports. Choice inscription and signature in blue ballpoint on a fine heavy stock 5" X 3" card: "To Richard / Best of Luck /… Read more about this item

Five-sevenths (5/7ths) of the class inducted into the legendary Canton, Ohio institution are represented in these five choice signatures -- lacking only Larry Csonka and Gene Upshaw. Delightful grouping all on fine, matching, heavy stock 5" X 3" cards (all original mailing envelopes included). Alphabetically: 1) LEN DAWSON (1935-22), quarterback with the Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and Dallas Texans/Kansas… Read more about this item

This Baseball Hall of Famer (inducted 1977) was a catcher for the Brooklyn Robins/Dodgers (1928, 1930-35), Boston Bees (1936-40), Pittsburgh Pirates (1940-46) and Cleveland Indians (1947); he then managed the Cleveland Indians (1951-56) and Chicago White Sox (1957-65, 1968-69). Bold signature in black ballpoint on heavy stock 5" X 3" card, dated by him 8 October 1971 at upper… Read more about this item

This pitcher debuted with the Kansas City Packers in 1915, and also played for the Chicago White Sox in 1921. Full signature ("Foster (Charlie) Blackburn'" in blue ballpoint, heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p. Fine. An excellent later life example.

This Canadian ice hockey star played right wing for the New York Islanders (1977-87) and was elected to the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1991. Choice signature in blue fineline on a heavy stock 5" X 3" card, dated by him 27 February 1979 at upper right. Fine. With original envelope. A bold early exemplar from the rising 22-year-old.… Read more about this item

Nicknamed "Immaculate Reception," this famed running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers (1972-83) and Seattle Seahawks (1984) earned honors galore, culminating in election to the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1990. Choice, bold signature (with his jersey number "#32" worked into his last name) in black fineline on a heavy stock 5" X 3" card, dated by him 8… Read more about this item

This baseball star pitched for NINE teams from his debut with the San Francisco Giants in 1962 and retirement from the Kansas City Royals in 1983 in a colorful, controversial, award-studded career that finished with election to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1991. Big and bold signature in blue ballpoint on a heavy stock 5" X 3" card,… Read more about this item

ThIs College Football Hall of Famer punted for the Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders (1973-86) and is often considered the greatest football punter of all time; he was also the first punter elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame, inducted in 2014. Bold signature in red fineline on a heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p., dated by him 8… Read more about this item

This Canadian hockey star played right wing (1971-91) for the Montreal Canadiens, New York Rangers and Quebec Nordiques and is often considered one of the hundred greatest NHL players of all time. Bold signature in black fineline on a heavy stock 5" X 3" card, n.p., dated by him 20 September 1986 at upper right. Fine. With original transmittal… Read more about this item

One of the Chicago Bears' most legendary rosters was that of 1963, when their record stood at 11-1-2 and they defeated the New York Giants to win the NFL Championship Game. Fine pictorial 18-page booklet, "Chicago's Last World Champions: The '63 Bears," reprinted by the Chicago Tribune in 1977. This 4to (8½" X 11") softbound memento reprints a handful… Read more about this item

In their 109th National League season, Chicago's beloved "Cubbies" ended the 1984 season with 96-65, first place in that league's Eastern Division, but were defeated by the San Diego Padre's in the National League Championship Series. This superb glossy 10" X 8" color photograph, a group portrait in uniforms on the field with Wrigley Field scoreboard above them proclaiming… Read more about this item

This football center played for the Green Bay Packers (1953-63) and Philadelphia Eagles (1964-67) before coaching for a half dozen teams (1969-88); in 1981 he was elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Handsome, bold signature in black fineline on a heavy stock 5" X 3" card, undated but with original transmittal envelope postally cancelled from Orchard, PA… Read more about this item

ThisAfrican-American football cornerback played for the San Francisco 49ers (1958-64) and St. Louis Cardinals (1965-66), participating five times in the All-Pro and Pro Bowl games. Handsome, bold signature in black ballpoint on a heavy stock 5" X 3" card, dated by him 24 October 1977 at upper right and noting "SF 49ers" below his signature. Fine. Original transmittal envelope… Read more about this item

The football player who scored the first touchdown in the very first Super Bowl (1967) was Green Bay Packers punter and wide receiver McGee, who played there from 1954 to 1967; his teammate, offensive guard Thurston, played for the Baltimore Colts (1958) and Green Bay Packers (1959-67). Superb pair of matching, heavy stock 5" X 3" cards, each boldly… Read more about this item

In 1963 Chicago's American League team finished second (94-68) in its 63rd season in the major leagues. Fine glossy 10" X 8" group portrait of the '63 White Sox in uniforms on the field, with text below naming each player in these four rows. Accompanying this is a remarkable collection of 21 signatures of the team's players and coaches… Read more about this item

Four National Football League greats: Prestel played defensive lineman for the Chicago Bears (1960, Minnesota Vikings (1961-65), New York Giants (1966) and Washington Redskins (1967); Pyle played center for the Chicago Bears (1961-69); Wade played quarterback for the L.A. Rams (1954-60) and Chicago Bears (1961-66); Wetoski played offensive lineman for the Chicago Bears (1960-69). Four big, bold signatures all… Read more about this item

These two football stars were both part of the "Class of '86" -- elected to the Pro Football Hall of Fame: linebacker Lanier played for the Kansas City Chiefs (1967-77) and quarterback Tarkenton for the Minnesota Vikings (1961-66, 1972-78) and New York Giants (1967-71); both were also elected to the College Football Hall of Fame. Pair of signatures on… Read more about this item

This Football Hall of Famer (elected 1986) was twice named All-America running back and won the Heisman Trophy in 1956; as a Green Bay Packers star (1957-66) he led the NFL in scoring three times. PS (newsprint), 3¼" X 5¼", n.p., n.d. Very good. Faintly age toned only, with small tape stain at each corner. Full-length newspaper portrait of… Read more about this item

The Silver Fox" or "The Duke of Flatbush" was a Hall of Famer (elected 1980) who played center field, debuting with the Brooklyn Dodgers (1947-62) and also playing for the New York Mets (1963) and San Francisco Giants (1964). PS (verso), heavy stock glossy 3½" X 5½", n.p., n.y. Fine. Handsome reproduction of Snider's Hall of Fame plaque in… Read more about this item