November 2016 Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 11/19/2016
Hugh L. Ray: Class of 1966. Technical Advisor on Rules, Supervisor of Officials. Only 5-6, 136, but a giant of pro football. . . NFL Supervisor of Officials, 1938-1952. . .Worked tirelessly to improve officiating techniques. . .Streamlined rules to improve tempo of play, increase safety. . .Visited each team annually to educate players, coaches. . .Said to have made 300,000 notations as technical observer. Born September 21, 1884, in Highland Park, Illinois. Died September 16, 1956, at age of 71.
Because of his position in the NFL, nobody was asking for his autograph. In over 35 plus years of collecting autographs, we’ve only seen 2 other AUTHENTIC autographs of Shorty Ray and these were part of the same document.
Offered is the 1941 Official National Football League Roster and Record Manual . These books were put out on an annual basis by the NFL that was distributed to the clubs and to the press. On the first page of the book it has been signed by 4 extremely important men to the NFL.
Included are autographs signed in black steel tipped pen by:
HUGH L. RAY – the first REAL – Shorty Ray autograph to enter the collector market. #1 on pretty much every Pro Football HOF autograph collector’s want list. This may be your only chance to own an authentic example of his signature.
Elmer Layden – (D. 1973) one of the 4 Horsemen of Notre Dame and the NFL commissioner from 1941-46, when Bert Bell took over.
Dennis J. Shea (Deceased) went from the NFL’s Brooklyn Dodgers business manager to being elected as the NFL’s Treasurer in 1940
George Strickland (Deceased) Director of Public Relations for the NFL
This is the first autographed item to ever come up in public auction. Don’t miss this opportunity as it may not come around again.
Letter of Authenticity from Richard Albersheim. and FULL PSA and JSA LOA
This lot has a Reserve Price that has not been met.