Ca 1930s Autograph Album, Primarily Sports Figures, Including Babe Ruth, Jim Thorpe, et al.

Lot 161

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6270 Este Ave.
Cincinnati , OH 45232
United States

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American History: Premier Auction by Cowan's Auctions

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American History: Premier Auction

By Cowan's Auctions

Nov 16, 2018

Set Reminder 2018-11-16 10:00:00 2018-11-16 10:00:00 America/New_York Bidsquare Bidsquare : American History: Premier Auction https://www.bidsquare.com/auctions/cowans/american-history-premier-auction-3577 Cowan’s Fall American History: Premier Auction features over 200 lots including early photographs, documents, manuscripts, broadsides, flags, and more dating from the Revolutionary War period to the mid-20th Century, many representing important landmark moments in American history. Cowan's Auctions dawnie@cowans.com

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Lot Description

Small signed pieces of paper tipped into sheets of paper, which were then punched for ring-binder, with signatures of: Babe Ruth; Jim Thorpe (accompanied by several pages of newspaper clippings with Thorpe's biography); Jack Dempsey; Dizzy Dean; Sammy Baugh; Jack Benny; J.S. Ford; Mary Livingstone (Jack Benny's wife and comedy partner); Ave Daniell; Arthur P. "Tarzan" White (1915-1996; also NFL offensive lineman); Eddie France, Fordham University; F.M. "Bruiser" Kinard, All-American tackle U. of Miss (Ole Miss) 1936; Merle Wendt, Ohio State Left End; Larry Kelley Yale University; Gaynell Tinsley (1915-2002), LSU Tigers, NFL end and coach; Bill Daddio (1916-1989), University of Pittsburgh, NFL and AAFC, coach and scout; Clarence "ACE" Parker, Half-back. Duke /37; Kent Ryan Utah State College '37; Clinton Frank (1915-1992), Yale halfback; Alexander Wojciechowicz (1915-1992), College and Pro Football HOF, first President NFL Alumni Assoc.; Mike J. Basrak / Capt 1936 / Duquesne U. Pitt. Pa.; Ed Widseth (1910 - 1998) Minnesota '37, NFL tackle (slight water damage to signature); Steve Reid / Northwestern 1937; Max Starcevich (1911-1990) College HOF; Bill Glessford (1914-2016) U. Pitt guard and coach; Phil Dickens / University of Tennessee; Ray "Buzz" Buivid (1915 - 1972) NFL Qback, Marquette; Sam Francis (1913-2002), Nebraska fullback, halfback, Olympic shot put, Kansas State coach; Joe Skladany (1911-1972), College HOF, 1 season NFL.

On other sheets are two photographs of Charles Siple, the compiler of this group of autographs, etc. Plus one small drawing of a nude woman from the back in classic 1940s style (with "Siple Jan-41 ESC." lower right).

The remainder is comprised mostly of used tickets for many sporting events, such as the Joe Louis/Red Burman fight, January 31, 1941; Millrose games at Madison Square Garden in 1941 (track and field); City Ice Skating Championships at MSG in 1941; Pittsburgh vs. Notre Dame, 9.30.44; and many more. Football at all levels - High School, College; Roller Derby, 1938; traveling burlesque; six-day bike races; and more. Over 90 ticket stubs in all. On some he has made notes as to what or when they occurred.

Charles Robert Siple was born in Pittsburgh, PA in 1918 and grew up in Wilkinsburg, PA. As a youth in 1934 he went to a six-day bike race and was hooked. The freedom of a bicycle was already exciting for a youngster in those days. He was so captivated by cycling that it wouldn't be until the early 1950s that he would apply for a driver's license. From his earliest days he kept scrapbooks of clippings, photos, drawings, etc. These pages are clearly from some of his early collections, as most are associated with the mid-1930s.

When the US entered WWII he enlisted in the Navy. Siple served as a signalman on the USS Augusta, a heavy cruiser, primarily in European and Mediterranean waters. While the Augusta was being refitted for her role as the flagship of the Normandy invasion armada, Siple acquired a bicycle in England (which he ultimately smuggled aboard ship to get it home) and rode through the English countryside whenever he was on shore.

After the war, he came home to a wife (Eleanor Neff), whom he married while in service. Soon their first son was born, and a secure job and place to live became his immediate concerns. He found a job as a draughtsman for North American Aviation in Columbus, OH. As his sons grew up, the oldest took an interest in the bicycle collecting dust in the basement. Siple got back on the road, eventually forming the Tour of the Scioto River Valley bike club. Eventually they would map a coast-to-coast ride for the bicentennial ("Bikecentennial)," with 4,000 participants. This eventually led to the formation of other bike clubs, including Adventure Cycling Association.

Siple, Greg. "Six Days That Launched a 78-year Journey." Adventure Cyclist, June 2014, pp 32-39.

Condition

Pages toned, edge chipping. For the most part the signature slips and tickets are in good condition.
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