Lot 712
Gehrig, Lou (1903-41) Played first base for the New York Yankees from 1925 to 1939; called "The Iron Horse." He won a triple crown in 1934 and was the league's MVP in 1927 and 1936; best remembered for his 15-season streak of consecutive games, a record not broken until 1995 (by Cal Ripken). He died of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, now called Lou Gehrig's Disease. Autograph Letter Signed on a postcard to Bob Silverman, a greeting card salesman who went to high school with Gehrig, postmarked New Rochelle, New York, 7 Sept. 1934. Silverman came to the ball park one day with his two nephews, who were visiting from Sioux City Iowa. The boys hoped to meet Gehrig and get his autograph, but were disappointed to find that Gehrig was not coming that day. "Uncle Bob" left a message for Gehrig in the dugout that he and his nephews had stopped by. This postcard is Gehrig's kind reply. It has remained in the family since it was received and is accompanied by a letter signed by Sidney Goldberg, one of the nephews mentioned, who is now 81 years old. There are some smudges on the letter, probably from raindrops during the mail delivery, and two postmarks affect part of the first four lines.
Gehrig wrote: "I am sorry but because of the amount of fan letters, it is the custom of the Yankee office to hold all letters, distributing these only twice a week. By the time I got yours home and opened, it was too late to greet your nephews (that is, if you meant last Saturday.) However, tell them to drop me a line and I will be glad to send them the autograph. Lou Gehrig." The last name is squeezed onto the postcard. Addressed in Gehrig's hand to Bob Silverman in New York City.
Estimated Value $2,000 - 3,000.
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