This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 7/8/2004.
"Turkey" Stearnes spent his summers playing baseball for the Detroit Stars and his winters forging car parts in the industrial plants of the Motor City. One of the Negro League's all-time great power hitters, he is rumored to have averaged a home run once in every four at bats. His speed also served to turn many lesser hits into doubles and triples. His extremely rare signature is found here on this Detroit Public Schools report card that was used to track the educational progress of his daughter Rosilyn. He has signed it using his full legal name "Norman J. Stearnes" in nearly flawless blue ink, rating a 9. The report card measures 4" x 6" and shows minor wear, however, none affects his signature. Stearnes' death in 1979 and subsequent posthumous induction into baseball's Hall of Fame in 2000 have left autograph collectors with an extremely limited number of choices when pursuing his autograph, with almost every available example appearing on a 3" x 5" index card, most of which have authenticity that is questionable at best. The placement of his signature on an item so personal as the report card of his daughter leaves no doubt about its validity and is akin to a personal check or signed contract. The autograph comes with a letter from PSA/DNA.