Lot # 2095: 1931 Tour of Japan Team-Signed Baseball with Gehrig, Maranville, Simmons, Cochrane, and Grove - JSA

Offered here is an "Official American Ball" (produced by the Japanese company Tamazawa) baseball signed in either black or blue fountain pen by 16 members of the United States baseball team that took part in the 1931 Tour of Japan. Following the 1931 World Series, sportswriter Fred Lieb made arrangements to take a team of 14 Major League players, including Lou Gehrig, Lefty Grove, Mickey Cochrane, and Frankie Frisch, to Japan and Honolulu for a series of exhibition games against local clubs. The U.S. "All-Stars" won all 18 games on the tour, 17 against Japanese teams and one against the Hawaii All-Stars. The success of the tour led to a second, more heralded tour, led by Babe Ruth in 1934. The offered ball, which originates from the 1931 tour, has been signed by the following team members: Lou Gehrig, Lefty Grove (sweet spot), Mickey Cochrane (signed "G. Cochrane"), Rabbit Maranville, George Kelly, Al Simmons, Muddy Ruel, Bruce Cunningham, "Beans" Reardon (umpire), Lefty O'Doul, Larry French, Tom Oliver, Ralph Shinners, Willie Kamm, Dr. Leonard Knowles (Team Trainer), and Herb Hunter (tour organizer). The ball displays heavy soiling. In Good condition overall. Full LOA from James Spence/JSA.