The Brockton Blockbuster signs loan document just seven months before his death. Partly Printed DS: "Rocky Marciano", 1p, 8½ x 13¾. Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, 1969 January 27. Commercial Promissory Note No. 27938 between Marciano and The American National Bank and Trust Company of Fort Lauderdale for $5,000 at seven percent interest. The note was payable 91 days after the date of signing.  World Heavyweight Boxing Champion from 1952-1956, Rocky Marciano (1923-1969) signed this unsecured loan just seven months before he died in an airplane crash. The stocky, hard-punching Marciano began boxing while in the U.S. Army during WWII. Turning professional in 1947, "The Brockton Blockbuster" battled his way up to a championship fight with then champ "Jersey Joe" Walcott on September 23, 1952. Down by points going into the 13th round, Marciano needed a knockout to win the heavyweight crown; he smashed a short, right-hand punch onto the chin of Walcott, knocking him unconscious and into the former-champion category. Marciano's devastating right-hand became the most-feared punch in boxing; his aggressive tactics and ability to take a punch made him invincible during his professional career.

Joe DiMaggio, Whitey Ford, and Tommy Byrne sign a Hillerich & Gradsby K-35 baseball bat that was actually used in Game Four of the 1950 World Series by Whitey Ford and was possibly turned expressly for him. This bat, imprinted with "World Series 1950 Pitchers New York Yankees", was inscribed by DiMaggio "To my good friend and teammate - Best Pitcher - With Warm Personal Regards". "Best Pitcher" was obviously Ford in his stellar 1950 rookie season. This bat highlights a sometimes neglected era in New York Yankees history - Ford's dominance on the mound near the end of DiMaggio's career - which is usually eclipsed by the start of Mickey Mantle's career. Baseball Bat inscribed and signed: "To my good friend and teammate - Best Pitcher - With Warm Personal Regards/Joe DiMaggio"; also signed: "Ed Ford", "Tommy Byrne". Hillerich & Gradsby K-35, 35-inch, 30½-oz. Louisville Slugger, actually used in Game Four of the 1950 World Series by Whitey Ford, with block label imprint: "World Series 1950/Pitchers/New York Yankees." This bat was possibly turned expressly for Ford's use.

Amazing collection of signatures from the Pirates Signatures: "Ralph Birkofer", "Leon Chagnon", "Adam Comorosky", "Doc Crandall", "Hal Finney", "Larry French", "To my/Little friend/Pete Lear/from Gibby", "Earl Grace", "Bill Harris", "Grover Hartley", "Waite C. Hoyt", "Woody Jensen", "Fred Lindstrom", "Heine Meine", "Leo Nonnenkamp", "Val Picinich", "Tony Piet", "Hal Smith", "Gus Suhr", "Steve Swetonic", "Bill Swift", "Tommy Thevenow"  "Harold 'Pie' Traynor", "Floyd Vaughan", "J. Honus Wagner", "Lloyd Waner", "Paul Waner" and "Floyd Young". The way the powerful Pittsburgh Pirates were swinging the bat in 1933, they seemed unbeatable. However, the Pirates finished second in the National League that year to the New York Giants. Pittsburgh out-hit New York .285 to .263 for the season, but the big difference between winning and losing the pennant was the pitching. The Pirates had a good pitching staff, with their top thrower, LARRY FRENCH, placing second in the league in games pitched, with an ERA of 2.

The World Billiards Champion signs a full set of pool balls. Ephemera signed: "Willie Mosconi", on each pool ball, 16 total. Willie Mosconi (1913-1993), the son of a pool hall owner, was a child prodigy at pool-type sports, staging exhibitions from the age of 6. He won the World Billiards Championship fifteen times between 1941 and 1957. He was technical advisor to the film The Hustler in 1961. Author of several "how to" books on his sport, Mosconi is also enshrined in the Italian American Hall of Fame. Fine condition.

Collection including a signed baseball used during his 300th victory! Comprises: (1) Baseball signed: "Nolan Ryan" on the sweet-spot, Official American League "Bobby Brown". On July 31, 1990, at Milwaukee's County Stadium, Texas Rangers right hander Nolan Ryan added to his list of legendary mound accomplishments by becoming the 20th pitcher in Major League history to record at least 300 wins during his career. Ryan worked seven and two-thirds innings that night, allowing one earned run and striking out eight. The tying runs were on base in a 5-3 game when Texas manager Bobby Valentine took Ryan out after he had thrown 146 pitches. The Rangers scored six runs in the ninth inning to seal Ryan's victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, 11-3. Moderately soiled. (2) Typed Letter Signed: "Al Clark", 1p, 8x10. On stationery of The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, 1990 July 31. To Whom It May Concern. In full: "Please be advised that the Nolan Ryan autographed baseball you have in your possession was, in fact, one of the baseballs used during Nolan Ryan's 300th victory pitched at Milwaukee's County Stadium, July 31, 1990. The authenticity of the baseball is beyond doubt.…"

The 1941 New York Yankees sign a vintage photograph of them in their iconic pinstriped uniforms. Vintage Photograph signed: Hall of Famers Manager "Joe McCarthy", "Joe DiMaggio", "Phil Rizzuto", "Lefty Gomez", "Bill Dickey", "Chas. Ruffing", "F. Crosetti", "Joe Gordon", "Atley Donald", "Tom Henrich" and "Spud Chandler". Also signed: "Ted Lujcak", possibly a team bat boy. Photograph by "The Sporting News". This legendary team won the 1941 World Series, defeating the Brooklyn Dodgers four games to one, securing the Yankees' ninth championship. That season is most famously remembered for Joe DiMaggio's record-setting 56-game hitting streak, a feat still unmatched in Major League Baseball history. Managed by Joe McCarthy, one of the winningest managers of all time, the team was stacked with talent: Joe DiMaggio (1914-1999), the "Yankee Clipper", was the reigning AL MVP and one of the greatest center fielders in history. Phil Rizzuto (1917-2007), the rookie shortstop in 1941, would go on to a Hall of Fame career and become a beloved Yankees broadcaster.

Vintage pair of boxing gloves signed by Leonard. Boxing Gloves inscribed and signed: " 11/17/19 To My Friend / Harold Levy / From Benny Leonard". Brown ink. Inscription inside left glove. Benny Leonard (1896-1947) was World Lightweight Champion from 1917 to 1925, when he retired. Financially ruined by the Crash of 1929, he successfully returned to the ring in 1931 and 1932. Leonard suffered a fatal heart attack in New York's St. Nicholas Arena on April 18, 1947 while refereeing a fight. He was inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame in 1990. Fragile condition. Leather is cracked and exhibits some shedding. 2-inch tear on right glove. Displayed in acrylic case 22¼ x 30¼ x 13.

Hall of Fame catcher allows Gillette to use his name, photo and endorsement in ads. Typed DS: "Roy Campanella", 1p, 8x8. No place, 1956 September 28. In part: "The Gillette Safety Razor Company and/or Maxon Incorporated…have my permission to use my name, address, photograph and/or likeness, together with the above statement…for any and all advertising purposes…for the period of one year from first public use…I shall not allow my name and/or photograph to be used in connection with competitive shaving products for the above period." Address: "East Island, Glen Cove, L.I." in another hand. Also signed: "Joan Crosby" as witness. This document most likely was attached to a statement by Campanella about Gillette shaving products. Three time MVP Roy Campanella (1921-1993) was the catcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1948-1957. In January 1958, his career was cut short by an automobile accident that left him paralyzed. The Gillette Cavalcade of Sports was televised on NBC from 1948-1960. While the Friday night show always showed boxing matches, the remainder of the hour was filled with features such as "Great Moments in Sports" or "Red Barber's Corner".

EXTREMELY RARE BRUCE LEE SIGNED ESSAY. INCLUDES 180 WORDS IN HIS OWN HAND! AMONG EARLIEST KNOWN WRITING EXAMPLES. Autograph Manuscript signed: "Bruce Lee", blue ink, 2p (front and back), 6½x8. Headed: "Dictation", circa late 1950's. This essay appears to be an English dictation exercise, likely written during Lee's time (1956-1959) at St. Francis Xavier College in Kowloon, Hong Kong. Found throughout are Lee's own handwritten corrections to grammar or spelling showing is dedication to proper language use. Writing reflects Lee's famous flowing signature and graceful writing style. Uneven tearing to left-side edge, with minor creasing throughout; light markings present at upper left corner, not affecting text. Overall, fine condition. Accompanied by Beckett letter of Authenticity. In part: "The history of aviation is full of adventures, and their happy outcome has proved how great is man's ability to brave the dangers which confront him. Not long ago an aviator, while flying over a part of Africa, met with engine trouble at a time when visibility was poor, and was compelled to descend in an swamp at the edge of a large lake. His machine turned upside down and became deeply embedded in the mud.…"

Williams signs a Louisville Slugger along with a “521 H.Rs.” inscription. Baseball bat signed: "Ted Williams / 521 H.Rs.". Signed in blue ink. Louisville Slugger baseball bat. Hall of Famer Ted Williams played outfield for the Boston Red Sox from 1939-1960, taking off time to fight in World War II and Korea. He was the last to hit over .400 (.406 in 1941), leading the American League in hitting six times. His lifetime batting average is .344 with 521 home runs. The Splendid Splinter's accomplishments include two Triple Crowns, two MVPs, six American League batting championships and 18 All-Star Game selections. Fine condition.

Black Everlast boxing gloves signed in gold ink Pair of Black Everlast Boxing Gloves, right glove signed: "Muhammad Ali" in gold ink. Black, size 12. Muhammad Ali (1942-2016) became World Heavyweight Champion in 1964, when, as Cassius Clay, he scored a knockout over Sonny Liston. After he became a Muslim, he changed his name to Muhammad Ali and was stripped of his title in 1967 for refusing military service because of his religious beliefs. He regained his title by knocking out George Foreman in 1974, lost it to Leon Spinks in 1978, then regained it seven months later. Ali, the only man to hold the World Heavyweight title three times, was selected by "Sports Illustrated" as "Athlete of the Century". Signature light, but legible. Otherwise, fine condition.