Ben Hogan Signed 6/17/1953 Chesterfield Cigarette Original Contract w/Handwritten Amendment JSA ALOA

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/5/2023

Ben Hogan Signed 6/17/1953 Chesterfield Cigarette Original Contract w/Handwritten Amendment

It is hard to find a Ben Hogan swing photo without a cigarette firmly between his lips. His half smoked cigarette was dropped to the green prior to his putts. Hogan would smoke two packs of unfiltered Chesterfield cigarettes per round. They were as much a part of the "Hogan Mystique" as his ivy cap. A natural advertising agreement between star golfer and Liggett & Myers Tobacco Co., parent company of the Chesterfield brand existed. A fully executed one year contract of this arrangement is offered here. Surely one of the best ever signed by L&M as it was for Hogan's finest season (1953), a year that saw him capture the Masters, U.S. Open and British Open. Document remains in strong Ex-Mt condition, with only apparent flaw which is mentioned for accuracy being staple mark and impression of paperclip in upper left corner. A highlight of this contract is a written amendment penned in the hand of Hogan on the front left side margin of the letter, it reads as follows:

"I reserve the right however, to appear on any T.V./radio program
as a guest star where I do not endorse any other
tobacco products in any manner. - B.H."

This prized contract from the height of Hogan's success has been framed into an ensemble with Chesterfield time period magazine advertising and Hogan on course smoking photo all encased to measure an overall size of 35" x 21". James Spence Authentication (JSA) has reviewed this document finding the prized extensive Hogan handwriting and signature it contains all to have been formed by the golfing legend himself. Of note it is interesting to see that Hogan lists his address as the Western Hills Hotel. In '53 the Hogan's were part owners of this Fort Worth establishment, and had resided in an apartment there since placing their home on the market.

The Golf Auction is proud to present this, our first auction of 2023. This eclectic group of memorabilia represents all areas of the golf collecting world, so please utilize the categories column to help navigate you towards your preferred collectibles. Bids must be placed before 10pm ET, Sunday, February 5th in order to participate in extended bidding

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