Lot # 2018: Chief Bender Single-Signed Baseball PSA/DNA NM-MT 8 Autograph Grade

Official American League baseball (Harridge) signed by Philadelphia Athletics Hall of Fame pitcher Charles "Chief" Bender on a side panel. Bender has written his name, "Chief Bender" in black fountain pen. Graded NM 7 by PSA/DNA (signature graded 8, ball graded 6, for a final grade of 7). The signature of Chief Bender, who died on May 22, 1954, is scarce in any form, let alone by itself on a baseball. Bender was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1953 and died just nine months later. As a result, Hall of Fame autograph collectors had a very short window in which to obtain his signature. This is only the fifth Bender single-signed ball we have ever offered, and we have seen probably fewer than 10 at auction in the past 22 years. This is an exceptional Chief Bender single-signed ball in all respects and one would be hard pressed to find a finer example. Full LOA from PSA/DNA.