Posted 12 years ago
Butch50
(1 item)
Willie May's personal check to Exterminator, written in 1961. Returned by bank NSF.
Note the Return Address, Willie Mays , San Francisco CA
I purchased this from a friend in New York whose father was a laywer, working for a collection firm in the 60s. When this check came through his agency, the lawyer paid the amt himself to clear the debt, and kept the check, so as not to embarrass Willie Mays. The laywer gave the check to his son, who didn't care much about baseball. He knew I was a huge baseball fan, so he gave it to me. I loved that it was a non-sports item, and was a personal item, something that makes Willie human. I couldn't believe it - the great Willie Mays, already so famous that no address was required, had the normal problems we all have...balancing a checking account, bugs in the house ...
If I were you, I'd get the signature authenticated by GAI, and then put it in a real nice frame. The check doesn't appear to be in that great of condition, but it is still a unique, interesting item!
Check the net for his signature, and you will see a great difference.
The signature is good. It is a great example of an early Willie Mays autograph. His signature is different now compared to 15 years ago, this being due to his age.
It occurs to me that there are none out there after the start of his superstardom !! (:-)