Art Wall, Jr. Personal Hand Written Letter to Legend John Derr JSA COA

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This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/31/2016

Art Wall, Jr. Personal Hand Written Letter to Legend John Derr

This deceased Masters champion's signature has become more and more difficult to find. Presented here is not only a signature of Art's, but a hand written letter to CBS Legend John Derr. The letter covers many things including Art's appreciation of John's 'tv comment' about his putting, hoping that John feels better, and apologizing for not having a 'tv talk' after his round as he had not been felling well. He also writes ins a 'P.S.' how 'probably no one would have caught (Arnold) Palmer anyway'. Great content from a two great icons of golf history. Dated September 18, 1968, this hand written letter has been signed 'Sincerely, Art'

Art Wall won fourteen titles on the PGA Tour, including four in 1959. That year he was chosen as the PGA Player of the Year, and also won the money title and Vardon Trophy for lowest scoring average. His most notable career achievement was his victory in 1959 at the Masters Tournament. In the final round, he birdied five of his last six holes to shoot a 66 and overtake Cary Middlecoff and defending champion Arnold Palmer. He was a member of three United States Ryder Cup teams: 1957, 1959, and 1961. Wall is also notable for sinking 45 holes-in-one in his playing career including casual rounds, a world record for many years.

Starting in 1935, John Derr began reporting on the Masters Tournament for what would eventually be a total of 62 times! Derr was part of the CBS team (CBS Remembers John Derr) when the Masters was first televised in 1956, and he covered the Masters for CBS from 1956 to 1982. A recipient of Masters Achievement Award from Augusta National, this Pinehurst legend's reporting started on the veranda at Augusta with O.B. Keeler and Grantland Rice, and ended with inductions in four Halls of Fame as well as the National Journalism Award. He built a lifetime friendship with golf greats such as Bob Jones, Sam Snead, Ben Hogan and Byron Nelson. Some other friends you might've heard of are Mahatma Gandhi, President Eisenhower, Dr. Billy Graham, Albert Einstein, Henry Ford and many more. A driving ambition to find the good in those around him are what's remembered most about this true legend of the game

Here is a clip of Derr talking about walking out on President Eisenhower at Augusta National, and riding in a car between Bing Crosby & Bob Hope among other tales: Augusta Tales

James Spence Authentication has reviewed this signature, and their letter of authenticity comes with this lot

Please note: This auction will end at 7:00pm EST on Sunday, January 31st with EXTENDED BIDDING to follow. All items in the auction will remain open until no items have received a bid within a 15 minute time period. All lots are free to be bid on until extended bidding has ended