1931 Herbert Hoover Signed Baseball Given to Gabby Street....

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1931 Herbert Hoover Signed Baseball Given to Gabby Street. UPDATE: Please note that the authenticators have informed us that there is faded writing, perhaps autographs but too light to discern, on this baseball. As such, we can no longer definitively call this a "Single Signed" baseball as it is described in the auction catalog, and we are lowering the minimum bid accordingly.

The President of the United States was presented with a rare treat for the third Game of the 1931 World Series, as Hall of Fame pitchers Burleigh Grimes and Lefty Grove faced off in front of 32,295 Shibe Park spectators. Prior to the game, President Hoover put pen to horsehide, autographing an OAL (Harridge) ball for the esteemed St. Louis Cardinals manager, creating one of the toughest Presidential singles of the twentieth century. In fact, we can recall only a single other example having sold at auction in recent years, a gorgeous specimen that achieved a mark of $65,000 in the Spring of 2006. Though this ball has toned considerably, the boldness of Hoover's sweet spot signature remains quite impressive, still a technical 7/10. Adding to the tremendous appeal is a modern copy of an 8x10" photo picturing Hoover signing this ball for Street at the playing field's edge. LOA from PSA/DNA. LOA from James Spence Authentication. Guide Value or Estimate: $20,000 - $40,000.

The Charles "Gabby" Street Collection

The following nine lots derive from the personal collection of Charles "Gabby" Street, whose long career as a player, a manager and a radio broadcaster made him a staple in Big League ballparks for over four decades. Widely credited with developing a young Walter Johnson into the game's most effective pitcher as the Big Train's Washington Senators catcher during Johnson's earliest seasons, Street would gain even greater notoriety as manager of the early 1930's St. Louis Cardinals, who would win two National League pennants and a World Championship under his guidance. All pieces derive directly from the Street family with their letter of provenance.