One of the Hall of Fame's five original inductees in 1936, Wagner combined rare offensive and defensive excellence throughout a 21-year career. He was also was the first baseball player to have his signature branded into a Louisville Slugger baseball bat. Extremely scarce and early ALS signed “J. Honus Wagner,” one page, 8.5 x 11, Honus Wagner Sporting Goods letterhead, which features an image of Wagner in the upper left, February 10, 1927. Letter to “My Dear Periforo,” in full: “In reply to yours of the 3d I will do my best to land you on some good club when your college work is over. I could land you with some Minor League but they start to early. You sure are kept busy in athletic work it won’t hurt you in fact their [sic] is nothing like it. Thank you for your letter and write me again a couple of weaks [sic] before the close of school.” Intersecting mailing folds, one passing between to letters of signature, scattered light creasing, wrinkling, and toning, and stray ink flecks, otherwise fine condition.
After retiring from the Pirates in 1917, Wagner floated around in semipro leagues, and incorporated his Honus Wagner Sporting Goods Co. It seemed to make excellent business sense to use his name and presence in a sporting goods venture, but unfortunately it didn't work out very well. Wagner would occasionally stop by the store to greet customers, but it wasn't enough to make the business a success. By 1929, the sporting goods company was in bankruptcy, and its assets, and the rights to use Wagner's name and image, were purchased by E. Louis Braunstein. Pre-dating his Hall of Fame induction by nine years, this is one of a scant handful of known Wagner handwritten letters. Pre-certified Steve Grad/PSA/DNA and RR Auction COA.
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