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1927 Harry Heilmann Signed Bank Note
Displayed is a signed bank note from Hall of Famer Harry Heilman. "Slug" was his nickname, and it wasn't a compliment. Harry Heilman earned the name "Slug" because he was slow, extremely slow. Sportswriter Tommy Holmes wrote, "Heilman was never much faster than an ice wagon. Without doubt, he is the slowest moving great hitter who ever lived." So, how did Harry Heilman make the Hall of Fame? He reached the Valhalla of Baseball because Heilman could hit a ball harder that any ball player of his era, except for Babe Ruth. A right fielder who played some first base, Heilman hit rocket-like line drives and won four American League batting titles. He won those titles with averages of .392 in 1921, .403 in '23, .393 in '25, and .398 in '27. In 17 Major League seasons - from 1914-32 with the Detroit Tigers and '32 and '34 with the Cincinnati Reds, Heilman had 2,660 hits and batted a lifetime .342. After his playing career, Heilman became a long-time play-by-play radio announcer for the Tigers. At one point, the broadcasts were sponsored by "Bugaboo," a fly spray. When a Detroit outfielder would catch a fly ball, Heilman would say, "Bugaboo! Another dead fly!" A beautiful announcing touch by Heilman was that occasionally, when a great play had been made, Heilman would stay silent for a while to let the listeners hear only the roar of the crowd. Then, he would intone, "Listen... to the voice of baseball." The fans loved it. The signed banknote measures approx. 3.5x8.25". It is drawn on the Bank of Detroit. The check is stamped "Aug. 29 1927", and it is signed by "Harry E. Heilman" and by his wife, Mae Maynes Heilman. The banknote is stamped "HOME BILLS" and as for the amount of the banknote, both 500 and 1500, with a line separating these numbers, has been written in the top right corner to fill in the amount of the check. The handwritten script of the amount of the check has faded from the passage of time and cannot be deciphered. There is further handwriting on the back of the banknote, in an unknown hand, that includes various notations, presumably about various Heilman family expenses. The signature rates around 6.5/10 because of some fading at the end of the name. The note itself has some creases. The Heilman signature provides a fine remembrance of a great hitter and a beloved announcer.
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