2015 November Exclusive Memorabilia Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/22/2015
Francis Ouimet Signed and Written Letter from 1963
The body of this letter,crafted on the 50th anniversary of his miraculous U.S. Open win,to former 1910's Boston Red Sox pitcher M.J. (Marty) McHale brings out an interesting sidebar to the history making win of Francis Ouimet in the 1913 U.S. Open held at Brookline, Massachusetts. At the time of Ouimet's win the biggest sports story in Boston was the Red Sox who just came off winning the 1912 World Series and would continue their dominance of the baseball world in the Teens with triumphs in 1915,1916 & 1918 World Series. Ouimet writes in his missive "The morning of the day I played Vardon and Ray-Harry Hooper and Larry Gardner watched the match". These were two of the biggest stars of the Champion Red Sox with Hooper the star rightfielder (future MLB H.O.F.) and Gardner the star third baseman (future Red Sox H.O.F). For the 20 year old home town Boston kid to know these two were in the crowd of some 10,000 certainly added to the pressure packed moment. Letter measures 7 1/4" x 10 1/2" and includes the envelope addressed in Ouimet's hand to Mr. M.J. McHale (a star in his own right who turned from pitching to Vaudeville where he was known as the "Caruso of Baseball") . The following describes what was written in the letter:
Dear Marty,
It was nice of you to
write as you did and fifty years
has made quite a difference in my
appearance. The morning of the day I played Vardon and
Ray - Harry Hooper and Larry
Gardner watched the match. In
fact I remember that old Red
Sox gang and that includes your
good self as well.
Life has been good to me.
I play some golf - not very well -
but good enough to have some
fun with my friends and my
health as far as I know it
O.K.
Should you ever come to
Boston give me buzz. I have
been with Brown Brothers Harriman
& Co.(oldest largest private bank in United States) for sometime now and until
they get tired of me I will try
and do something as long as I
feel like doing so.
Good luck Marty and
every good wish.
P.S. That was a nice article of
Frank Graham. He is an old friend of mine.
Francis OuimetEvery bit of the World Golf Hall of Famer's green ink penmanship projects "10" strength. The letter itself on Francis D. Ouimet Wellesley, Mass. letterhead warrants minimally EX/MT assessment. An interesting unknown slant to the event which brought golf to new levels in America.
James Spence Authentication (JSA) has reviewed this item, and their letter of authenticity will come with this lot
Please note: This auction will end at 7:00pm EST on November 22nd 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
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