Consign Your Best Items with Lelands. We Also Pay Cash on the Spot! Learn More Here.
Roy Campanella Signed First Day Cover (PSA)
"I never want to quit playing ball," said Hall of Fame catcher Roy Campanella. "They'll have to cut this uniform off me to get me out of it." Sadly, Campanella's words were prophetic, in a figurative way, when his baseball career was ended in an automobile accident that left him a quadriplegic. Presented is a Roy Campanella signed first day cover stamped Cooperstown envelope, postmarked at Cooperstown, New York on July 10, 1989 (20 years after Campanella's HOF induction). Because of baseball's unofficial "color line," Campanella, an immensely talented catcher, was kept out of the Major Leagues until 1948. Despite starting professional play on a part-time basis in the Negro National League when Roy was only 16 years old, and stellar play in the Negro National League (mostly for the Baltimore Elite Giants), the Mexican league and in AA and AAA leagues in the Brooklyn Dodgers' minor league system, Campanella was kept waiting until he was 26 years old to become a Major League "rookie." He quickly became a Dodgers star and won three NL MVP Awards: 1951 - A .325 batting average, 33 homers and 108 RBIs; 1953 - with a then-record 142 RBIs for a catcher; 1955, as he guided the Dodgers pitching staff to the Brooklyn Dodgers' only World Championship. The January 28, 1958, auto accident ended Campanella's playing career, but he became an executive with the Los Angeles Dodgers and went on to formally and informally coach many Dodgers players, including Hall of Famer Mike Piazza. "Campy" finished his Major League career with 242 home runs and 856 RBI, and of equal importance was his excellent defense, with a powerful and accurate arm, great quickness and hands, and a superior knowledge of handling a pitching staff. Printed on the front of the first day issue envelope, is, in part: "A rugged and durable catcher named Roy Campanella anchored the Brooklyn Dodger teams that won five pennants over his ten-year career.... One of the most popular players in baseball history." The first day issue envelope measures approx. 3.6x6.6". Campy's signature, obviously labored, exhibits the limitations placed upon him by his partial paralyses. The offering comes with a PSA/DNA Certificate of Authenticity.
Past Sports Card, Memorabilia, Non-Sports Card and Collecitble Auction Items
Other past auction items that may be of interest to you.
Mickey Mantle, Joe DiMaggio, Duke Snider, & Willie Mays Signed Photo (8x10”)
1982 All-Star Team Signed Poster (25x27”)
500 Homerun Hitters Signed Home Plate
MVP Signed Bat (34")
Hall of Fame Signed Bat with Mantle & Williams (35”)
Walter Johnson Signature
Joe Tinker Signed Photograph (4x4”)
