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Circa: 1934
Condition: Used
Country of Origin: United States
Manufacturer: Unmarked
This drawing is of Mel Harder, who is depicted here as a pitcher with the Cleveland Indians (1928-47). Melvin Leroy Harder (1909-2002), was named to the American League All Star Team four times. Joe Dimaggio was quoted as saying that he had more difficulty batting against Harder than just about any other pitcher in history. He was the only player in major league history to have both 20 year playing and coaching careers. The drawing measures 7 1/8" x 11½". It was autographed by Harder while he was still a player, in 1934 or '35. He signed on the white background in black ink, above the word 'Pitcher'. The autograph is bold and clean.
The artist was my father, Arthur Haas, who lived in New York City until 1938. A commercial artist by trade and a huge sports fan, he would render the player's action pose in charcoal and pen & ink and then label the drawings by hand with the player’s position and team name. When a team would come to town he'd take his artwork to the game and seek out the subject for an autograph, whether in the dugout or in the locker room.
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This piece was done on heavy weight drawing paper, and may have been sprayed with a fixatif. It is signed and dated by my dad. We are pricing this as if it were an autographed 8 x 10 photo, since my dad was an unknown artist. Although, unlike sports cards or photographs, this is unique and one-of-a-kind!
The autograph has not and will not be ‘certified’. This would require my sending it away so it can be looked over with a loupe, only to be told what I already know – that it is authentic. Any buyer will have two weeks to have the autograph certified if they desire it. And as always, your purchase may be returned for any reason for a full refund. This item will be shipped flat by Priority Mail, UPS, or FedEx. Insurance will be required. |
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