Description: DESCRIPTION: This is an opportunity to purchase an authentic personal check signed by former major league outfielder and Hall of Famer ROBERTO CLEMENTE. Clemente has signed this check in black ballpoint pen, just six months before he passed away in that tragic plane crash Check is made out to the Netherland Hilton Hotel in Cincinnati, Ohio, where the Pirates stayed while in Cincinnati. CHECK HAS BEEN AUTHENTICATED BY PSA/DNA AND COMES WITH PSA/DNA FULL LETTER OF AUTHENTICITY. STORY BEHIND THIS ITEM. As many hobbyists are aware, I struck up a friendship with Clemente in the mid- 1960's, which lasted until he passed away. When I saw Roberto, I usually got him to sign items for me. But when the Pirates arrived in town for this July, 1972 series with the Reds, I decided to do something different. I was at the Pirates hotel when they arrived in Cincinnati from Atlanta on Sunday July 9th. When I saw Roberto, I first took the photo that appears here. Then, after he got his room key, I went on the elevator with him and asked if he would give me one of his bats at a game in this series. He agreed to give me one. He said he would give me the bat at the last game of the series, on Thursday, July 13th. So I was shocked and disappointed the next day upon hearing on the radio that Clemente had abruptly left Cincinnati and went back to Pittsburgh. The first reports were that he was not feeling well, then the story changed to it being a family emergency he had to tend to. Either way, it killed my chances of getting a bat. I obviously had no idea that would be the last time I would ever see him. He did, indeed, go back to Pittsburgh, I believe the very next day or the day after. He did not play in any of the three games in the series against the Reds. As for this check - he signed it before apparently giving it to Tony Bartirome - the Pirates trainer - who filled in the other portions of the check. So there is no mystery here why Clemente signed the check with the other portions being filled out by another person (Bartirome) on getaway day, Thursday, July 13th. Clemente had to abruptly leave and go back to Pittsburgh and left Bartirome with a signed black check and asked Bartirome to take care of his hotel bill for him, even adding Clemente's room number "1226," on the back of the check. The photo pictured here was taken one or two days before Clemente signed this check. SHIPPING: $48.00. Items shipped first class mail, with delivery confirmation/insurance. I do combine shipping fees, no additional charge for additional items. PAYMENT: Pay Pal is accepted. I also accept other forms of payment, feel free to inquire. BACKGROUND: A pioneer in the autograph field, I have six decades of first-hand autograph experience. I began collecting autographs in-person in 1960, and have collected ever since - all sports, music, politics and more. I am a well-known and respected figure in the autograph field, known as "The King of Autographs" (KOA.)
Price: 6995 USD
Location: Cincinnati, Ohio
End Time: 2024-12-01T05:46:25.000Z
Shipping Cost: 48 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
Restocking Fee: No
Return shipping will be paid by: Seller
All returns accepted: Returns Accepted
Item must be returned within: 30 Days
Refund will be given as: Money Back
Sport: Baseball-MLB
Player: Roberto Clemente
Autograph Authentication: Professional Sports (PSA/DNA)
Original/Reprint: Original
Product: Check
