(LOT 1317)
Ultra-Scarce 1942 Warranty Deed Signed by Hall of Famer James Leslie Wilkinson – Full PSA/DNA LOA
Both the iconic Branch Rickey and distinguished James Leslie Wilkinson arguably stand as the two "white" executives most responsible for the ultimate success of African American Professional Baseball in America. While there isn't a single baseball enthusiast unaware of Rickey's role in signing Jackie Robinson to his immortal 1947 contract with the Brooklyn Dodgers, arguably, Wilkinson's equally important accomplishments included the creation of the "All Nations Baseball Club" in 1912 as well as his pivotal role as the chief founder of both the Negro National League and legendary Kansas City Monarchs in 1920.

His 1912 All-Nations team served as a steadfast reminder that there should be no tolerance, whatsoever, for the racial bigotry that once dominated Major League Baseball, with "Wilkie's (his popular nickname) club including Whites, African Americans, Polynesians, Native Americans, Asians and even a woman. Indeed, this ingenious individual had the unparalleled vision to see that our National Pastime should be a competitive sport welcome to all nationalities; totally supporting the foundation of equality this country was soundly built upon by our Founding Fathers. J. L. Wilkinson would run the K.C. Monarchs from 1920-1948, and after building the initial 1920 team via a vast number of players from his previous "All Nation" club, some of his future legendary signings for the Monarchs included the immortal Satchel Paige, Hilton Smith, Willard Brown and even Jackie Robinson in 1945.

It is clearly obvious that this "giant of a man" was immensely instrumental in swinging America towards the direction of accepting a racially affluent population in professional baseball. Indeed, his foresight, compassion and invaluable accomplishments eventually earned him an eternal place in Cooperstown, New York, some 42 years after his passing in 1964. One of the tougher Hall of Fame signatures to surface, seldom do any of his scripts become available for the taking, leaving a huge "hole" to fill in advanced HOF autograph collections. Courtesy of Memory Lane, we are proud to now offer one of those excruciatingly tough J. L. Wilkinson autographs, with his exalted script presented on the front page of this 1942 Warranty Deed. To the best of our knowledge, there arguably exists only 15 or less J. L. Wilkinson known signatures on various artifacts, placing this as one of the scarcest HOF autographs extant. Including a full PSA/DNA LOA for ironclad authenticity, "Wilkie's" valued script is situated at the lower left quadrant, the first of many Wilkinson family members (including his wife Bessie and brother George) that were required to sign this deed.

Signed on July 3, 1942, the bold blue ink "J. L. Wilkinson" signature presents itself in solid "9" strength, with him and other family associates agreeing to the $750 mortgage to the DesMoines, Iowa Building-Loan and Savings Organization. For full disclosure, the Warranty/contract includes the typical 3 mailing folds, none of which impede the critical J. L. Wilkinson script, with the PSA/DNA LOA clearly stating that the other Wilkinson signature situated on the reverse side was scripted in the hand of an unknown signer. A truly obscure and highly coveted artifact, it carries the ultra-scarce J. L. Wilkinson signature whose ever-elusive script continues to reside as one of the most challenging autographs to capture for purposes of filling that glaring void in your HOF gathering!

MIN BID $2,000
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