Mel Bashore

Green Bay Packers vs. New York Giants. Cover signed by more than 20 players on the Giants including Arnier Herber and Tuffy Leemans. Given to me only a few weeks after I had last spoken with him, which was only days prior to his unexpected passing. His widow fulfilled his promise in sending it to me. She and I carried on a poignant, caring correspondence for years afterward.

A unique focus of my collection are the signed copies of vintage sports cartoons. I found these cartoons in old newspapers dating back to the 1920s. Undoubtedly it is the largest collection of its kind in existence numbering many hundreds and covering all sports. This cartoon signed by Coach Paul Brown was drawn by cartoonist Alan Maver. I am particularly drawn to his bugged-out eyes.

I sketched about a dozen different players including this one of Red Grange, which he autographed. I got a B.F.A. in college, so I thought I would put it to good purpose in requesting autographs. Two of my sons also did sketches that players signed for them. It was kind of fun.

I have more than a dozen multiple-signed news articles reporting the selection of All-Americans ranging from the early 1920s thru the 1950s. This article was signed by Steve Reid, Sam Francis, Ace Parker, Larry Kelley, and Kent Ryan.

I have quite a few signed 8x10s, including this autographed 8x10 of Frank Sinkwich in action. He signed it, another 8x10, and several other items for me near the end of his life.

This is representative of quite a few small notes that I have in my collection. This is interesting because it and a number of other things were given to me by Ernie Caddel in about 1990.

This #21 1954 Bowman football card signed by Norm Willey is representative of the generosity of players who might send me a card they had in addition to a 3x5 card or other item I had asked them to sign. I have quite a few autographed football cards, all sent to me generously by the players.