1520. Impossibly Rare Signed 1955 Topps #152 Harry Agganis - PSA/DNA (1/1 - Only PSA Example!)
1955 Topps #152 card signed by Harry Agganis in blue ink on the front and back. Agganis built a Boston-wide following during his high school and college years as a multisport star. The Massachusetts native enrolled in Boston College where he became their starting quarterback, setting a school record by throwing 15 touchdown passes in his sophomore year. He then enlisted in the United States Marine
as well as phlebitis in his right leg. Agganis advised doctors that he had noticed a lump in the leg in April, and although they took care to avoid blood clots, a clot broke loose and traveled to his lung, causing a pulmonary embolism, from which he died on June 27, just 26 years old. The city was devastated, more than 10,000 mourners attended his wake, with 1,000 attending his funeral. A local legend, his name is still seen throughout New England on street signs, parks, and football tournaments. Presented here is the seemingly impossible: a signed example of Against’ 1955 Topps card. Given the fact that the first baseman played just 25 regular season games that year and began being treated for his illness in early May, the window during which he could have signed this card is extremely small. While we will not speculate about how early in 1955 Topps began selling cards for that season, the Red Sox began spring training in Sarasota in late February. Unquestionably, the likelihood of many surviving autographed 1955 Agganis cards is slim. This example, apparently signed first on the front and then more legibly on the reverse, is the only example currently assessed by PSA/DNA. The card exhibits some wear at the corners and edges, but ultimately the condition of the card is not the marvel here - it is the existence of the card, signed by one of the great figures in Boston sports, who passed away within months of the card’s issue. Authenticated and encapsulated by PSA/DNA.
Corps, where he played both baseball and football. Receiving a dependency discharge in 1951 to care for his ailing mother, Agganis returned to Boston College where, in addition to playing baseball and basketball, he was voted first-team All-American in football for 1951. Upon graduation, the Cleveland Browns offered him a signing bonus of $25,000, but Tom Yawkey encouraged Agganis to sign with the Red Sox, a $35,000 bonus helping to provide incentive. After a season in the minors, Agganis made his major league debut with the Red Sox as a first baseman in early 1954. His rookie season saw him lead the majors in assists and in fielding percentage, while he contributed 11 home runs and drove in 57. Returning for the 1955 campaign, however, Agganis initially lost his starting job to rookie Norm Zauchin, but had won it back by early May, boosting his batting average over .300 in the process. On May 15, however, Agganis was hospitalized for ten days with pneumonia in his right lung. He returned on May 27, clearly ill. He finally returned to the diamond on June 2, going 2-for-4. After the game, Agganis returned to the hospital, again diagnosed with pneumonia
MINIMUM BID: $500
1522. Signed 1956 Topps HOFers Collection (6) - JSA MINIMUM BID: $100
1521. Signed 1953 Bowman Color Collection (6) MINIMUM BID: $50
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