Large Archive of James Naismith Signed Handwritten Letters, Many with Original Envelopes and Signatures (80)

Auction: April 2007 Catalog

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April 2007 Catalog
The Dr. James Naismith Collection

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Large Archive of James Naismith Signed Handwritten Letters, Many with Original Envelopes and Signatures (80)

James Naismith (1861-1939) is best known as the inventor of the sport of basketball, and his name adorns the world’s only Basketball Hall of Fame. Offered here is the majority of the handwritten letters from the Naismith family archives, from which an entire historical account could be penned. They range in date from 1900 to 1936 with the majority being from the mid-to-late 1910s. All but two of the 80 letters here were handwritten by James Naismith, with almost all signed “Jim” as they were written to family members including his wife Maude and daughter Helen. Additionally, two are typed, one is unsigned. The majority are more than one page with one being and incredible 12 pages in length. Content predominantly concerns the family and their well being, Naismith’s service in the military and some references to basketball and the 1936 Olympics. What is great is that 39 of these letters come with their original envelopes which bear Naismith’s writing, many with “Mrs. Jas. Naismith” as the addressee. A good number also have “J. Naismith” signatures as the return address. These could, if one so chose, be cut as James Naismith autographs. The letters are in overall VG-EX condition, with the writing and signatures averaging a grade of 7 to 8. Please contact Leland’s for a complete listing. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to buy an archive of letters from one of the most important men in the history of sports!