Suddenly, a nice little book of antique nonsports cards had. The only known baseball photograph signed by shoeless joe jackson will hit the. The collector wrote shoeless joe jackson to identify who signed it. Shoeless joe jackson society for american baseball research. A lefthanded batter and righthanded thrower, jackson stood 6feet1 and weighed 178.
Jackson went on to play and manage several semipro teams, and became a businessman in his hometown of greenville. Gropmans argument leaves little doubt that this legend belongs in the baseball hall of fame. The narrator, ray kinsella, is a baseball fanatic and dreamer who owns a farm in iowa. He did receive it but it was actually signed by joes wife since he was illiterate. Shoeless joe jacksons lifetime batting average was. Aug 03, 2015 the only known autographed photo shoeless joe jackson will go up for auction and is expected to fetch a sixfigure sum. The book also includes signed photos from more than 50 players, including. He is remembered for his performance on the field and for his association with the black sox scandal, in which members of the 1919 chicago white sox participated in a. It was published in 1983 and later adapted into the blockbuster film field of dreams shoeless joe turned out to be a somewhere in chisholm, at that moment, a boy, a bat on his right shoulder, cap pulled down over his eyes, his glove hung on the end of the bat, walks off in search.
Similarly, i got the name ant eater in grade school after eating one ant on a. The truth and tragedy of shoeless joe jackson helps flesh out that portrait and add context to the actions of a player who was banned from baseball for life for his part in the scheme. Holy grail of baseball autographs, by shamed illiterate. In 1949 he wrote a letter to joe jackson asking for his autograph.
An example of his largess is the occasion he purchased badly needed uniforms for a hometown basketball team. Greenville native and baseball great shoeless joe jackson was illiterate, and his signature is a rare find for collectors. Kinsella, shoeless joe novelist who inspired field. Whether its classic prewar vintage cards or todays modern hits, for shoeless joe jackson collectors, all are worthy of having a place in their personal collections. All orders are custom made and most ship worldwide within 24 hours. The photo of jackson taken the year he became the only rookie to hit over. It was later told that i ate many of them, all the time. The fact that jackson continues to be a hot topic amongst baseball writers, particularly as it relates to whether he should be inducted. Joseph jefferson jackson july 16, 1887 december 5, 1951, nicknamed shoeless joe, was an american outfielder who played major league baseball mlb in the early. Shoeless joe jackson signed photo, stored in bedroom trunk. Look at the signatures on that website as well and compare it to the one in the book. Shoeless joe jackson signed photo for sale, could be one. When presented with a copy of the book, say it aint so joe. Shoeless joe jackson was a country boy from south carolina who never learned to read or write much it dont take school stuff to help a fella play ball, he once said 1 but is widely hailed as the greatest natural hitter in the history of the game.
Autographs that were signed during jackson s playing days are even harder to find than those signed after his banishment. Haunting portrait of one of the games most controversial and complex figuresdavid nemec, author, official rules of baseball considered by ty cobb as the finest natural hitter in the history. Shoeless joe jackson autograph guide given the highly controversial nature that exists regarding the authenticity of shoeless joe jackson signature autographs, we encourage all collectors to exercise restraint and only purchase cut signatures that have, first, been authenticated by a reputable company like psa or jsa and then used to create. Shoeless joe jackson was a country boy from south carolina who never learned to read or write much it dont take school stuff to help a fella play ball, he once said1 but is widely hailed as the greatest natural hitter in the history of the game. Kinsella, a canadian writer who published more than 25 books but who is best remembered in the united states for just one, shoeless joe, a magical exploration of baseball and fantasy in. Its also available for football, basketball and hockey. Say it aint so, joe the true story of shoeless joe jackson. A rare shoeless joe jackson autograph could fetch more.
Jackson, who was tossed out of baseball for throwing the 1919 world series and remembered in the movie field of dreams, was illiterate and rarely signed anything but paychecks and legal documents, making his. Shoeless joe jackson was one of the players on the infamous black sox team, which was banned from ever playing professional baseball again by. He is remembered for his performance on the field and for his association with the black sox scandal, in which members of the 1919 chicago white sox participated in a conspiracy to fix the world series. Shoeless joe jackson chicago white sox 1917 boston store reprint card w custom made 7 12 x 3 34 card holderfacsimile autograph. More than the inspiration for the beloved film field of dreams, shoeless joe is a mythical novel about dreams, magic, life, and what is quintessentially american philadelphia inquirer. Feb 09, 2015 the photo of jackson taken the year he became the only rookie to hit over. Shoeless joe is a 1982 magic realist novel by canadian author w. Shoeless joe jackson baseball cards and autograph buying guide. R, 2x h leader, born in sc 1887, died 1951, shoeless joe. Shoeless joe jackson photo picture chicago white sox vintage print 8x10 11x14 s2. Say it aint so joe jackson makes the cut and is welcome on our cracker jack allstar team. Rick moves fast on one of the rarest athlete signatures of all time in this clip from say it aint so.
We simply want to give him his just due as a great. In his revised edition of the book, gropman gives an objetive look at the life of joe jackson, including the scandal that ended his career. Stories such as shoeless joe jackson comes to iowa and first names and empty pockets are two reasons why everyone who enjoys great storytelling, with just the right amount of magic, needs to read shoeless joe jackson comes to iowa. Every day, well send you an email to your inbox with scores, todays schedule, top performers, new debuts and interesting tidbits. Historian joe thompson revealed in his book growing up with shoeless joe that jefferson walker was a nickname joe had received in his youth. Jackson isnt a hall of famer, but his memorabilia fetches hall of fame. From the famous 1989 film field of dreams is a bookplate signed by kevin costner played ray kinsella in film attached to front end page. It is altogether likely jackson was just recalling the moniker given to him by his brother dave when talking to reporters in 1912, but it confuses the situation nonetheless. He did receive it but it was actually signed by joe s wife since he was illiterate. Shoeless joe jackson museum greenville 2020 all you need.
This previously unknown autograph collection stands out for its significance. Join facebook to connect with joe jackson and others you may know. In 1949 a boy wrote a letter to shoeless joe jackson asking. Also affixed to same page is a bookplate signed by ray liotta played shoeless joe jackson. The only known autographed photo shoeless joe jackson will.
Joe signed his name twice on the back of the envelope. As a result, jackson autographs are extremely rare. Some of the less than two dozen authentic jackson autographs known to exist appear on documents, while others are scrawled on a simple piece of paper. Kinsella, shoeless joe novelist who inspired field of. Shoeless joe jackson was one of baseball s greatest hitters and most colorful players. Spcs 2016 midsummer auction just ended, and the topselling card was a 1909 shoeless joe jackson graded an 810 nearmint to mint. The joe jackson rookie card in the album is probably the nicest highgrade example we have ever seen. Joe jackson when i was up there at the plate, my purpose was to get on base anyway i could, whether by hitting or by getting hit. Shoeless joe jackson american baseball player britannica. Shoeless joe jackson museum greenville 2020 all you.
These mysterious words, spoken by an iowa baseball announcer, inspire ray kinsella to carve a baseball diamond in his cornfield in honor of his hero, the baseball. Kinsella, a canadian writer who published more than 25 books but who is best remembered in the united states for just one, shoeless joe, a. Hornbaker patiently presents the evidence and invites the reader to become the jury. Donald gropman is the leading historian on the life of shoeless joe jackson. Shoeless joe jackson and me is a great book written by dan gutman. It is a story about a boy named stosh who can travel back into time using baseball cards.
The only known autographed photo shoeless joe jackson will go up for auction and is expected to fetch a sixfigure sum. Shoeless joe got his name for going barefoot one time in a game. Also included in the newly discovered trove of photographs are prints autographed by baseball legends napoleon lajoie, christy mathewson and john mcgraw. Shoeless joe jackson baseball memorabilia and collectibles. Shoeless joe jackson signature among baseball memorabilia in. We recommend booking shoeless joe jackson museum tours ahead of time to secure your spot. Nov 01, 1984 shoeless joe jackson comes to iowa book. Shoeless joe jackson baseball cards are some of the most highly coveted in the hobby. It is one of the very few jackson autographs in existence. It turns out that book held what may be the only autographed photo of shoeless joe jackson, the holy grail of baseball signatures. If you book with tripadvisor, you can cancel up to 24 hours before your tour starts for a full refund. Rick harrison and the case of the bogus joe voice of the collector. The only known autographed photo shoeless joe jackson. I suggest you look at other comments on the authenticity of the joe jackson signed book on this site, especially the one on page 1 from the shoeless joe jackson virtual hall of fame web site.
Kinsellas first novel, shoeless joe, published in boston in 1982, is an ingenious baseball story that smoothly weaves together fact and fantasy. Joe jackson rookie card found in old trading card album. He learns the story about the white sox scandal with 9 players who got kicked out of baseball for throwing the world series. A rare shoeless joe jackson autograph could fetch more than. Aug 23, 2016 spcs 2016 midsummer auction just ended, and the topselling card was a 1909 shoeless joe jackson graded an 810 nearmint to mint by professional sports authentication, or psa. This natural talent and husband from greenville, south carolina, was a gentle, kind, and generous sort. See all 1 shoeless joe jackson museum tours on tripadvisor. Shoeless joe full leather signed by author in original. His wife, katie, signed for joe most of the time after his career was over.
The book was written when kinsella attended the iowa writers workshop, and decided to incorporate the stories he told about the black sox scandal, imagining if shoeless joe jackson came back to the same city kinsella was living in, iowa city. Joseph jefferson jackson july 16, 1887 december 5, 1951, nicknamed shoeless joe, was an american outfielder who played major league baseball mlb in the early 1900s. Much has been written about joe jacksons virtual illiteracy. Kinsella which became better known due to its 1989 film adaptation, field of dreams. New york the only known shoeless joe jackson signed. Similarly, i got the name ant eater in grade school after eating one ant on a dare. The evidence that he actually did throw the series is slightly less than conclusive, but in a way thats irrelevant. When joe died my uncles letter was found along with the envelope it was sent in. Heritage auctions to sell only known signed shoeless joe jackson. You may have seen eight men out or field of dreams, but you wont really know the full story of shoeless joe jackson and the black sox scandal of 1919 without reading tim hornbakers book. In 1949 a boy wrote a letter to shoeless joe jackson. Shoeless joe jackson photo picture chicago white sox vintage print 8x10 11x14 s1.
Jun 20, 2000 donald gropman is the leading historian on the life of shoeless joe jackson. Jun 15, 2014 shoeless joe jackson autograph, the real deal. Collectors of baseball ephemera know that shoeless joe jackson baseball memorabilia and collectibles are a hot commodity. Silver pawn shop do with the bogus shoeless joe jackson autograph. We simply want to give him his just due as a great ballplayer. High quality shoeless joe jackson inspired tshirts by independent artists and designers from around the world.