Lot # 2145: 1953 New York Yankees (vs. Brooklyn Dodgers) World Series Game 1 Signed Game-Used Baseball with Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle, and Jack Dempsey - PSA/DNA, Beckett, and MEARS

Official American League baseball (Harridge) signed in blue ink by the following 11 participants and attendees at Game 1 of the 1953 World Series: Jackie Robinson, Mickey Mantle, Yogi Berra, Johnny Mize, Will Harridge (AL president), Joe Collins, Tom Gorman, Irv Noren, Gil McDougald, Jack Dempsey (former heavyweight boxing champion), and one other (illegible). This ball originates from the B. C. Clark collection (REA had the privilege of selling this collection in Spring 2014), a North Carolina resident who began collecting in 1936, and uniquely obtained all his autographs on balls actually used in the games he attended. This is documented in two different newspaper articles published in 1949 and many years after his passing in 1977. The ball's attributed World Series provenance is based upon the vintage blue-ink notation written on the ball label that reads "World Series/Yankees vs. Dodgers/Sept 30, 1953." The Yankees defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers 9-5 in Game 1 of the World Series held on September 30, 1953, at Yankee Stadium. This one of the very few balls we have ever seen signed by both Jackie Robinson and Mickey Mantle that dates to their active playing careers. The fact that it was signed at the 1953 World Series naturally adds to its great appeal. The ball displays light-to-moderate soiling (only a portion of the manufacturer's labels are visible) which is consistent with its having been a game-used ball. In Very Good condition overall. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from Steve Grad and Brian Sobrero/Beckett Authentication Services. Full LOA from MEARS.