Lot # 2184: Extremely Rare Signed 1944-1945 Albertype (Type 1) Black-and-White Hall of Fame Postcard Eddie Collins PSA/DNA NM-MT 8

Exceedingly rare Hall of Fame black-and-white (Albertype Type 1) postcard of Eddie Collins, signed by him in black fountain pen across his image. PSA/DNA has encapsulated the card and graded the signature NM-MT 8. Although the card has been affixed to a black album page, so the reverse cannot be seen, it is clearly an Albertype Type 1 postcard, which was produced during the two-year span 1944-1945. Collins was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1944, indicating that this postcard was almost certainly signed either during or shortly after his enshrinement. As most collectors of autographed Hall of Fame black-and-white postcards are aware, Eddie Collins is among the most elusive of the 50 that make up the complete set. The reason for that is timing. Collins died in 1951, leaving collectors just a short seven-year span in which to obtain his signature on the card. It should also be noted that Hall of Fame signed postcards were not nearly as popular with autograph collectors during that period as they are now, which is another reason for its rarity. This is the first such example (Albertype Type 1) we have offered and, based upon the auction history over the past 25 years, there are probably fewer than six known examples. The card is in apparent Excellent to Mint condition, without consideration to its having been affixed to the album page. This is an outstanding example of this card, the likes of which can be found in only the most advanced collections.