For the 1903 season the Baltimore Orioles abandoned Baltimore for the more lucrative New York City market, and just like that, the New York Yankees were born. Well, sort of - the team was first known as "The Americans" for their American League affiliation and then "The Highlanders" from their home grounds of Hilltop Park in Washington Heights. The team finished in 4th place with a 72-62 record, but that's not what's important, what is important is that this amazing collection brings together the signatures of 9 of the original Highlanders from that inaugural year:

Kid Elberfeld, ss (2 1/4" x 4" cut signed in blue pen plus a modern 8x10 photo), David Fultz, of (2" x 3 1/2" card signed in black pen), Barney Wolfe, p (3" x 5" black pen signed postal card), Wid Conroy, 3b (3" x 5" black fountain pen signed card), Elmer Bliss, p (red pen signed cut taped to a 3" x 5" card plus 2 modern photographs of Bliss), John Granzel, 1b (blue pen signed 1948 hand written letter on Orlando Senators letterhead), Jimmy Williams, 2b (1943 dated 3" x5" black fountain pen signed card), Harry Howell, p (3" x 5" blue pen signed card) and J.J. O'Connor, c (black fountain pen signed cut taped to a 3" x 5" card). Even the team's original trainer Mike Martin has signed a cut page from a 1940 Washington Senators roster (red pencil). Of special significance is a signed 1930 Yankees meal allowance check is signed by Mark Roth, the New York sportswriter who was credited with giving the team the name "YANKEES". Roth later went on to join the club he named as a front office employee for many years. Also include with this lot is an undated stock certificate for the "GREATER NEW YORK BASEBALL ASSOCIATION". "GREATER NEW YORK" was used by the team to avoid issues with the more popular and established New York Giants and was used their 2 years in the city. The stock is unissued and does not have any of the usual creases often found on stock certificates. The combination of the beautiful turn of the century graphics and historical significance makes this a tremendous display piece. This is an incredible lot documenting the inaugural year of the greatest franchise in professional sports. Letter of Authenticity from JSA. Please note that we were informed by JSA they are now 'inconclusive' on the signature of J.J O'conner

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