Auction Item Details
Lot 514
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Lot Number: 514
Description: Exceptional Roberto Clemente autographed professional model baseball glove c.1967. Rawlings model TG12 glove of the highest quality exhibits evident use including interior pocket wear and appropriate external surface wear. "CLEMENTE" lettering written in vintage black marker is visible just to the right of the Rawlings label. "21" in similar vintage black ink and writing mannerism is found just slightly to the right of "Clemente". The glove itself has been autographed by approximately (28) members of the Pirates team including Clemente, Stargell, Face, Virdon, Alley, Pagan, Moose, Sanguillen, and Johnny Pesky. The presence of both Pesky and Moose signatures allow us to date the glove, or at least its signing, to the 1967 season. Black marker signatures range from 3-8 out of 10. Clemente's autograph remains very strong having been inscribed, "To Rudy From Your Friend Roberto." Signature and salutation remain quite strong rating 8 out of 10. It is noteworthy that the Clemente autograph is signed on top of the vintage "21" indicating that the uniform number was definitively written on the glove prior to Clemente's passing in 1972.รก Included with the glove are two very large bound scrapbooks from the family including numerous period Clemente related photos, articles, souvenir publications, and general ephemera chronicling the relationship between Clemente and the recipient of the glove. Additionally, a copy of a vintage black and white photo (as seen in this catalogue) is included with the lot which pictures a glove that may in fact be the actual offered exemplar, or, at worst a nearly identical specimen.Numerous consistent areas may be noted within the image inclusive of the glove lacings/formation and the glove ties which extend from the glove image and actual glove in identical fashion. Furthermore, a slightly dark area is visible within the image to the right of the Rawlings label and while inconclusive may in fact be the shadowing of the "Clemente" notation present on the actual glove. The rarity and significance of this particular glove within the collecting category cannot be overstated. It is well documented that baseball players carefully protect their game gloves with special note to a player of the defensive talents of Clemente. The additional provenance, Clemente autograph, and period Clemente indicator notations only multiply the desirability level of this example. One of the finest Hall of Famer game gloves that we have handled and almost certainly the best Clemente exemplar to have surfaced. Includes LOAs from Hunt Auctions (glove), JSA (autographs), two original Clemente related albums, copy of the image printed within this catalogue, and letter of provenance from the family: Glove: EX, Signatures: Range VG-EX/MTEstimated Price Range: ($20,000-$40,000)
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