CGC x JSA Signature Analysis: Mickey Cochrane
Posted on 11/7/2024
By
James J. Spence, Jr.
Throughout the years, many backstops have been dubbed "The Greatest Catcher of All Time." Dating as far back as 19th century stalwart King Kelly, the names of Bill Dickey, Yogi Berra, Roy Campanella, Johnny Bench, Mike Piazza and Ivan "Pudge" Rodriguez attract the most constant attention. Yet the one catcher who should receive special consideration on the pinnacle of this list is Depression Era standout Mickey Cochrane.
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Cochrane was best known as an MLB player for the Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers, the latter of which he also managed. He was a three-time World Series champion, two-time All-Star and two-time AL MVP. Cochrane's .320 career batting average is still a league record for catchers. Inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1947, he was also ranked 65th on "The Sporting News" list of the 100 Greatest Baseball Players in 1999.
Signature analysis
As is the case with many legendary athletes, Cochrane's autograph was highly sought-after by fans and collectors alike. Two different forms of his autograph appear in the offerings of the hobby. Official military correspondence and legal documents contain his full legal name with middle initial (Figure 1).
Figure 1 |
Fan requests and baseball-related communications come in the more familiar form containing his nickname followed by the family name. Secretarial and clubhouse versions are occasionally stumbled upon (Figure 2), especially on typewritten letters while with the Tigers or on team-signed items while with the Athletics. On very rare occasions did his wife Mary take the liberty of accommodating a signature request.
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Figure 2 |
An elongated, acutely slanted oval formed the introductory stroke of his capital "M" that is followed by two humps descending in size. Each of these strokes return to the baseline within the hastily written first name. Without lifting the pen throughout the entire legible sobriquet, a conventional "i" (with far-right dash) leads into the crowded filled-in eyelet "c" that almost touches the connector stroke that forms the "k".
This retraced ascender staff then abbreviates the typical lower "k" loop into resembling an "h"-like configuration. During his career, the "k" was more carefully constructed as an open loop. A diminutive closed "e" precedes the garland "y" sans loop, being the only letter to drop below the baseline throughout (Figure 3).
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Figure 3 |
The largest letter, the capital "C" commences with an open-top loop that curls almost full circle. Without hesitation, his “o” overlaps at the peak, creating a small vertical point that allows a horizontal connector stroke into the “c”, which mimics the same character in the previous name. The “h” could double for the “k” as well.
The “r” is simply an undotted “i” followed by a retraced “a”, acutely formed garland “n” favoring the left side and the conforming “e” with the terminal stroke that tries to return this tailing upward manuscript to its baseline. A slight finishing dash may be applied far right (Figure 4).
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Figure 4 |
Secretarial versions are rounder and more deliberate, with unfilled loops and a more upright slant. The “k” is more conventional, and the overall speed of the signature slows considerably (Figure 5).
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Figure 5 |
Cochrane signatures are readily available in the marketplace. I’ve never learned of him denying an in-person autograph request. 3-by-5-inch (often lined) index cards typically were signed throughout his life via mail (Figure 6), as were US government postcards, often with the greeting “Best Wishes” or the like.
Figure 6 |
Moreso than any other medium, signed album pages, usually stacked between other teammates' autographs, start the pricing echelon. Black-and-white Albertype or Artvue Hall of Fame plaque postcards (Figure 7) are always gobbled up immediately. His death came three years prior to the yellow 1965 version evolutions.
Figure 7 |
Typewritten correspondence, often on letterhead with generic content, are valuable. Handwritten examples increase in value, depending on the content. Signed gum cards are more of a challenge, climbing upward depending on the card's inherent value.
Single-signed baseballs are frightening by nature but if a valid example rises from the vast sea of counterfeits, expect to shell out thousands of dollars. Team-signed baseballs are far more common, and their worth depends on the theme and condition.
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Figure 8 |
Burke photos, the 3.5-by-5.5-inch versions, are generally personalized and always get attention. Canceled checks (Figure 8) are also available, of which maybe 150 survived from the 1950s. The signature of Cochrane is a common target for sleazy practitioners, caveat emptor.
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