Lot # 16: Remarkable Tim Keefe & Buck Ewing SIGNED ET AL Note Requesting a Special Stockholder Meeting + Acknowledgement + Response - FULL PSA/DNA LOA

Category: Memorabilia

Starting Bid: $25,000.00

Bids: 19 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Historical Rarities Winter Auction",
which ran from 12/20/2017 12:00 PM to
1/13/2018 7:00 PM




(LOT 16)
Remarkable Tim Keefe & Buck Ewing SIGNED ET AL Note Requesting a Special Stockholder Meeting + Acknowledgement + Response - FULL PSA/DNA LOA

There are virtually no words that can properly describe this most extraordinary one-page document that miraculously includes the ultra-rare signatures of BOTH Tim Keefe and Buck Ewing! Unfathomable to say the least, it literally defies logic that a single document can reflect both of these near-impossible scripts. World-class autograph enthusiasts surely know that obtaining either a Tim Keefe or Buck Ewing is a near-impossible task, with only a handful of these hallowed scripts previously documented before this incredible Players' League find. True, this discovery has unearthed several autographs of Hall of Famers Keefe and Ewing with two separate Keefe's and a single Ewing also presented in this auction.

However, the likelihood of finding a document that includes BOTH of these immortal Cooperstown inductees is unfeasible, with its sheer existence exponentially scarcer than a single scripted document. Courtesy of Memory Lane, this remarkable Stockholder page relating to stock shares retained by several parties in the Limited organization indeed includes "T.J. Keefe" and "Wm. Ewing" signatures that have been bolded scripted in black fountain pen (portraying solid "8/9" strength). While three modest mailing folds are evident along with a few negligible edge tears, the document remains in surprisingly nice condition, depicting fine overall aesthetics for a 127-year old relic. Authenticated by PSA, a full LOA has been included, and we can honestly say that this unparalleled offering now stands as one of the most formidable and signed documents in the hobby with a paucity level unrivaled by nearly any other existing autograph!

The storied careers of Keefe and Ewing ironically coincide, with their first professional team being the Troy Haymakers in 1880. Both players would eventually find themselves as teammates on the New York Gothams/Giants as well as both residing as the arguable finest players of their time at their respective positions. Keefe would compile an amazing 342 lifetime victories that place him 10th on the all-time win list, posting 40 or more wins in two separate seasons and compiling a sensational 2.63 lifetime E.R.A. William 'Buck" Ewing posted a .303 lifetime batting average and was widely considered the greatest of all 19th century catchers.

While catching was his primary position, he demonstrated his remarkable versatility and athleticism by also playing all four infield positions, outfield and even pitcher. Along with Anson, Nichols, Clarkson, Galvin, Kelly, Ward and Delahanty (just to mention a few 19th century stars), Keefe and Ewing stand as two of the greatest 19th century baseball players, justifying why the globe's most advanced autograph collectors painstakingly pursue their near-impossible signatures.

The nuances behind this "one of a kind" hallowed offering relate to the previously discussed Limited "By-Laws" offering (Lot#10) whereby a special meeting of stockholders could be called at any time. Such a meeting was requested by a group of stockholders representing one-third or more of the float. Per this presented document, on February 2, 1891, a group of four shareholders, representing 55% of the capital stock of the Limited, requested a meeting on February 14, 1891 for the purpose of arranging to pay the obligations of the company. These four stockholders, all of whom signed the document, were:

  • 1. General Edwin Augustus McAlpin - President of the Players' League and the largest shareholder of the Limited (38/200 of the issued shares). McAlpin was a wealthy tobacco manufacturer who built the Hotel McAlpin in New York City, at the time the largest hotel in the world.
  • 2. Hall of Famer pitcher Timothy J. Keefe who owned 20/200 of the issued shares in the Limited
  • 3. Hall of Famer catcher William "Buck" Ewing who owned 15/200 of the issued shares in the Limited
  • 4. Edward B Talcott -Vice-President of the Limited. Talcott was a wealthy stockbroker, and his share of the Limited was almost as large as McAlpin's (37/200 of the issued shares).
Just as general information, the other shareholders were: Van Cott (30/200), Jim O'Rourke (13/200), Roger Connor (10/200), Danny Richardson (10/200), Cannonball Crane (5/200), California Brown (5/200), Mike Slattery (2/200), John Ward (10/200), Frank B Robinson (5/200). Also included in this sensational lot are two follow-up documents, one of which is an acknowledgement by the Secretary of the Limited of this request for a special meeting of stockholders. The second is a memorandum of understanding, resulting from the requested meeting. This document elaborates how the shares of The National Exhibition Company (formerly "The American Exhibition Company/AEC" that was apparently renamed following the merger), when issued to the Limited per the merger of the National League Giants and the Limited, would be distributed per their availability as follows:
  • 1. All advances to meet the Limited's outstanding bills would be covered by shares issued at par.
  • 2. Any Limited stock held would be swapped for National Exhibition Company stock on a par for par basis.
Along with the aforementioned "Wm. Ewing" and "T.J. Keefe" signatures, both the "E.A. McAlpin" and "E.B. Talcott autographs are likewise bold and legible, with all four individuals scripting the number of respective shares and dollar amounts in their own handwriting. Yet, unquestionably, it is the Keefe and Ewing autographs that place this offering at a pinnacle level, and we simply cannot overemphasize the unparalleled significance of a document signed by both of these Hall of Fame legends.

As previously stated, finding "individual" scripts of these players is an excruciatingly painful and near-impossible endeavor, let alone discovering a document that miraculously depicts both of their sanctified signatures. We can only begin to imagine how the most esteemed autograph collectors are salivating over the possibility of making this museum worthy masterpiece their own; and regarding its infinite-like potential value we will defer to you, the sophisticated enthusiast, to ultimately determine its true worth!

MIN BID $25,000
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