(LOT 4)
John Montgomery Ward Handwritten Document to Henry Bacon (Dated December 31, 1889) – FULL PSA/DNA LOA
Presented here is hand written letter from Players' League President John Montgomery Ward to attorney Henry Bacon on December 31, 1889. Ward's incredible "John M. Ward" black fountain pen script presents itself in 7/8 strength and is widely considered one of the rarest Hall of Fame signatures extant. Even more impressive is that the entire note was written in the hand of John Ward, with full written notes or letters from this immortal Cooperstown Inductee virtually impossible to find. As President of the Brotherhood, Ward is acknowledging receipt of $186.26 from the Players' League account for "organization expenses."

The letter reads "Received of Henry Bacon for amount of Player's National League one hundred eight six 26/100 dollars in account of organization expenses." An attorney representing the Player's League, Henry Bacon was a very interesting individual. He was an attorney by training, but served as a Democrat representative to the Forty-Ninth and Fiftieth U.S. Congress, serving from December 6, 1886 until March 3, 1889. He lost re-election to the Fifty-First Congress, but was reelected to the Fifty-Second Congress from March 4, 1891 until March 3, 1893. During the later stint, Bacon served as Chairman of The Banking and Currency Committee.

When not in Congress, Bacon actively pursued his law practice, and was a formidable attorney utilized throughout the Players' League development. Regarding John Montgomery Ward, what else can we possibly say regarding his unparalleled stature with regard to his pivotal role in the development of the 1890 Players' League. John Ward owns the unique distinction of being the only HOF inductee with 150+ wins and 2000+ hits. Due to an over-abundance of innings pitched early in his career he converted to shortstop after Providence sold him to the New York club, embarking on his second career as a full-time position player.

More significant than his superior playing prowess, however, was his critical role in organizing the "Brotherhood of National League Players" union that would aggressively fight the owners for players' rights. Simply stated, there would have never been an 1890 Players' League absence Ward's relentless fight against the owner's unequitable treatment of their underpaid ballplayers. It should therefore come as little surprise that this historical discovery includes several scripted John Montgomery Ward notes and/or receipts, with this particular offering destined to become the centerpiece attraction in any world-class autograph compilation! - FULL PSA/DNA LOA

MIN BID $5,000
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