Legends on Paper: Historic Sports Contracts & Documents


1945 Moe Berg World War II Travel Orders
Military travel orders dated September 17, 1945, authorized Moe Berg and Swiss physicist Paul Scherrer to travel from Paris to Geneva, marked "Restricted" and issued by command of General Eisenhower. Berg, a former MLB catcher turned OSS spy, worked closely with Scherrer to gather intelligence on German nuclear efforts during World War II.




1881 Harry Wright Signed Scorecard
Hall of Famer Harry Wright, a pioneer who organized baseball’s first professional team and created the box scoring system, showcases his innovation in this signed 4"x6.5" box score. Carefully filled out in pencil and signed by Wright, it records a game played on January 24, 1881.


1997 O.J. Simpson Signed Heisman Trophy Ballot
This original 1997 Heisman Trophy ballot, filled out and signed in Mint ink by 1968 winner O.J. Simpson, features his typed picks of Woodson, Manning, and Hicks. A unique and intriguing piece tied to one of sports' most famous and controversial figures.




1881 Boston Baseball Club Stock Certificate Signed By Arthur Soden
This 1881 Boston Baseball Club stock certificate is signed by Arthur Soden, the influential team president credited with helping shape early professional baseball. A rare and historic piece, it connects directly to the roots of the game and its early business foundations.


1986 Reggie Jackson Fine Letter
This official May 30, 1986 letter from the American League, signed by AL President Dr. Robert W. Brown, notifies Reggie Jackson of a $100 fine for throwing equipment during a game. A unique piece of baseball history linking one of the game's biggest stars to a fiery on-field moment.


1998 Barry Bonds Suspension Letter
This 1998 letter officially notifies Barry Bonds of his suspension for charging the mound during a game, capturing a rare moment of controversy in his legendary career. An uncommon and powerful document tied to one of baseball’s most iconic and complex figures.




1977 Boston Rex Sox Equipment Form's
These 1977 Boston Red Sox equipment issue forms, signed by legends like Jim Rice, Bill Lee, and Johnny Pesky, offer a rare behind-the-scenes look at the gear used by iconic players. A must-have for collectors, these documents provide a unique glimpse into the daily operations of a Major League team and the personal preferences of baseball’s finest.



Margaret Donahue Check
A rare check from Margaret Donahue, the visionary who invented season tickets. Issued just a day after the Cubs' final game of the 1919 season, this piece of history highlights her groundbreaking contribution to the sports world. Without her innovation, the ticket sales industry as we know it wouldn’t exist today—her legacy continues to shape the way fans experience the game​




Chicago Cubs 1919 Financial Ledger (September)
This rare set of documents is an original 1919 financial ledger from the Chicago National League Baseball Club, featuring handwritten notes and bank statements detailing the team’s transactions. Coming from the era of the infamous Black Sox Scandal and early Wrigley ownership, it offers a unique glimpse into the behind-the-scenes operations of a cornerstone Major League franchise.




1916 Chicago Cubs Checks
These original 1916 Chicago Cubs checks, issued for tickets and refreshments, are drawn from the Illinois Trust & Savings Bank and feature the signature of then-president Charles H. Weeghman. Written during the Cubs’ first season at what would become Wrigley Field, they offer a tangible connection to a pivotal moment in the team’s history.



1919 Chicago Cubs Payroll Checks
These original 1919 Chicago Cubs payroll checks, signed by team treasurer and part-owner William Veeck Sr., offer a rare glimpse into the operations of one of baseball’s oldest franchises during a transformative era. Issued the same year as the infamous Black Sox Scandal, they capture a pivotal moment in the evolution of Major League Baseball.




April 1919 Bank Statement for the Chicago Cubs
This original April 1919 bank statement from the Chicago Cubs, issued by Lake View State Bank, offers a rare glimpse into the financial operations of the team just after World War I. With canceled checks, deposits, and balances recorded while the Cubs played at the newly opened Weeghman Park (later Wrigley Field), it captures a pivotal moment in both baseball and American history.



1917 Chicago Cubs Bank Ledger Statement
This original December 31, 1917 bank ledger from The First National Bank of Chicago details the Chicago Cubs’ financial operations during a pivotal time in baseball and American history. With records of checks, deposits, and a significant ending balance, it offers a rare window into how a Major League team managed its business during the World War I era.



1919 Chicago Cubs Bill Veeck Sr., Fred Mitchell and Charlie Pick Signed Check
Original 1919 Chicago Cubs payroll check signed by team president William Veeck Sr., issued to manager Fred Mitchell and second baseman Charlie Pick. Dated during the 1919 season, the check is authenticated by PSA/DNA and features three significant team signatures on a single document from a key post–World Series year.



1919 Chicago Cubs Bill Veeck Sr. and Endorsed Twice by Cubs Manager Fred Mitchell
July 15, 1919 Chicago Cubs check for $500 signed by team president Bill Veeck Sr. and endorsed twice on the reverse by manager Fred Mitchell. Drawn on the "Chicago National League Ball Club" account, all signatures are in black fountain pen and authenticated by PSA/DNA.



1919 Chicago Cubs Bill Veeck Sr. Signed Check to U.S. Treasurer John Burke
1919 Chicago Cubs check for $50 signed by team president Bill Veeck Sr. and made payable to U.S. Treasurer John Burke, who endorsed it twice on the reverse. Written during Burke’s tenure as U.S. Treasurer under President Woodrow Wilson, this historically significant check is authenticated by PSA/DNA.



Bill Veeck Sr. Pays Bat Founder Joe Kren $18.00 in 1919
This authentic 1919 PSA/DNA-certified document captures a pivotal moment in baseball history: Bill Veeck Sr., then president of the Chicago Cubs, paid $18 to Joseph G. Kren, founder of the renowned Kren Bat Company. Established in 1913 in Syracuse, New York, Kren's bats were favored by legends such as Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Honus Wagner. This transaction underscores the deep connections between early 20th-century baseball executives and the craftsmen who supplied the tools of the game.




Fred Mitchell's 1919 Cubs Contract
This vintage 1919 Chicago Cubs player’s contract is signed by team manager Fred Mitchell and represents a rare piece of baseball history. Also bearing the signatures of Cubs owner Bill Veeck Sr. and National League President John Heydler, a potential future Hall of Famer, the document reflects the leadership behind the post-World War I Cubs. Dated May 3, 1919, it offers a glimpse into the business side of America’s pastime during a transformative era.


Fred Mitchell 1917 Check
This rare 1917 check is hand-signed by Fred Mitchell, the legendary manager of the Chicago Cubs during the World War I era. A unique piece of baseball history, it captures a moment from the career of one of the game's early strategic minds.



Fred Mitchell 1919 Check
These rare 1919 checks area hand-signed by Fred Mitchell, the legendary manager of the Chicago Cubs during the World War I era. A unique piece of baseball history, it captures a moment from the career of one of the game's early strategic minds.




Fred Mitchell 1916 Type 1 Photo
This rare 1916 original Type 1 photograph captures Fred Mitchell in a seldom-seen Chicago Cubs uniform during the early days of his managerial career. A deadball era standout, Mitchell would go on to lead the Cubs to the 1918 World Series. This newly discovered image is a true gem for collectors of early 20th-century baseball history.