Presented is a signature and inscription from Baseball Hall of Fame manager John McGraw on a personal check from the Bank of Manhattan Trust Company. McGraw has signed his name “J. J. McGraw” in black pen on the signature line of the white paper check and inscribed the date “April 20, 1932” in the upper right corner of a $15 check to Sidney Heel. McGraw has also inscribed the amount of the check and the recipient in black pen and inscribed “Wedding Flowers” at the left margin.

Much lauded as a player, McGraw was one of the standard-bearers of dead-ball era baseball. He was known for his quick temper and for bending the rules, but he also stood out as a great baseball mind. McGraw was a key player on the pennant-winning 1890s Baltimore Orioles, and later applied his talents and temper while a player-manager, transitioning in 1902 to the New York Giants, for whom he became a bench manager in 1907 until his retirement in 1932. Even with his success and fame as a player, he is best known for his managing, especially since it was with a team as popular as the New York Giants. His total of 2,763 victories in that capacity ranks second overall behind only Connie Mack; he still holds the National League record with 2,669 wins in the senior circuit. This check has been encapsulated and authenticated by PSA/DNA and is graded Authentic (84169039).

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