This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/12/2014
Absolutely stunning 1939 First Day Cover signed by two of the original 5 charter members of baseball's very first Hall of Fame Class in Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner. On January 26th, 1936 in Cooperstown, New York, the Baseball Hall of Fame announces the election of five charter members: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson. The five charter Hall of Fame members were elected by members of the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). The ballots revealed that five players had received at least 75 percent of the votes cast, setting a standard for admission to the Hall of Fame that still exists today. Four of the "First Five" were on hand for the official induction ceremony, which took place on June 12, 1939, in Cooperstown. Cobb, Johnson, Ruth and Wagner watched as they took their place in history, along with 21 others who were elected between 1937 and 1939. The only one missing was Mathewson, who had died in October 1925. Today, selections to the Baseball Hall of Fame are still made by the BBWAA, along with the Baseball Hall of Fame Committee on Baseball Veterans, established in 1953. This First Day Cover is stamped and dated June 12th, 1939 and has been signed boldly by both Babe Ruth and Honus Wagner with each signature remaining in mint condition. Truly a piece of baseball history.
(JSA/ James Spence Authentication)