(LOT 6)
Tim Keefe Signed Document Relating to Brotherhood Park Construction Costs – Full PSA/DNA LOA
This miraculous offering includes a Jenkins Company Invoice relating to Brotherhood Park construction costs that has been signed off by iconic Cooperstown inductee Timothy J. Keefe! Indeed, finding a Tim Keefe autograph is a nearly impossible task, substantiated by the fact that only a couple of his hallowed scripts had been known before this remarkable Players' League discovery. The six Tim Keefe signatures included in this find were obviously tied to his position as one of two player representatives to the New York Limited Board of Directors (along with Buck Ewing). A major stockholder, iconic right-handed twirler Tim Keefe signed off on various Brotherhood Park construction invoices, along with N.Y. Limited Secretary Edward Talcott.

Every sophisticated baseball autograph collector is well aware of the near-impossible task of capturing a Tim Keefe script, with his legendary standing as one of our National Pastime's greatest pitchers ever supported by his 342 lifetime wins and scintillating 2.63 lifetime E.R.A. Nicknamed "Sir Timothy" and "Smiling Tim", those 343 victories place him 10th on baseball's all-time list, and along with Kid Nichols, he is arguably considered the finest of all 19th century pitchers. The right-handed hurler's seemingly "rubber arm" enabled him to once to win both games of a doubleheader in 1883, including a one-hitter in the morning and a two-hitter in the afternoon! As an irrefutable testament to his unparalleled durability, of his 594 career starts, 554 of a staggering 93% resulted in complete games, a far cry from 21st century pitchers who now seem fortunate to toss 7 innings.

His greatest season was arguably in 1888 when he claimed pitching's "Triple Crown", winning 35 games, striking out 335 batters and posting a microscopic 1.74 E.R.A. Multiple times he achieved 40 wins or better, and he arguably had the finest change-up of all 19th century twirlers. Like Buck Ewing, his major league career commenced with the Troy Haymakers in 1880, moved on to the New York Metropolitans in 1883, and joined the New York Gothams (Giants) in 1885. He would spend virtually the remainder of his playing days with the New York Giants, save his single 1890 Player's League stint with the likewise New York Giants PL based club, and a final fling with the Philadelphia Phillies from 1891 thru 1893 where he ended his stellar career.

No wonder the hobby's most elite enthusiasts painstakingly seek his elusive autograph that seems an impossible task. Courtesy of this world-class discovery that previous "dream" is now a reality, with his ultra-scarce script affixed to this "Jenkins Company" invoice (one of several Keefe's in this auction) directly to the right of the dark violet JENKINS COMPANY "PAID" April 9, 1890 ink stamp. Presenting itself in super bold black fountain pen, the "T.J. Keefe" signature portrays solid 8/9 strength, and has been deemed authentic by the prestigious PSA/DNA authentication company (a full PSA LOA is included), with the New York Limited secretary E.B. Talcott's signature depicted directly beneath Keefe's.

The Jenkins Company sold doors, sashes and blinds, and it appears this particular invoice relates to 19 doors and 9 sashes for Brotherhood Park, with Keefe's script required due to his role as Player Representative for New York Limited. Even more impressive is the fact that it has defied "Father Time", retaining a majority of its original imposing ink quality over the past 127 years. As previously stated in our Polo Grounds construction cost lot, capturing a Tim Keefe autograph is synonymous to the worldly expression of "finding a needle in a haystack", justifying why the virtually unparalleled paucity level of this T.J. Keefe signed invoice places it as one of the most significant keepsakes in our illustrious hobby! - FULL PSA/DNA LOA

MIN BID $10,000
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