This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/4/2008.
On March 16, 1957, the Baltimore Orioles played an exhibition game at Wrigley Field with the Chicago Cubs. This was a charity baseball game to raise funds for the Spencer Tracy Foundation. Many big name movie stars were present for the game including Jayne Mansfield, her husband Mr. Universe, Mickey Hargarity and Chuck Connors, TV’s “The Rifleman” was the Master of Ceremonies. Before the game, three Cubs and three Orioles lined up and were asked to try and catch the first ball thrown out by the sexy Jayne Mansfield. The ball was caught by Baltimore pitcher Charles Locke, who has consigned this truly unique baseball to us. After Charlie caught the baseball thrown by Mansfield, she autographed it for him. Several photos were taken of Mansfield kissing Locke on the cheek and were published on sports pages around the country. The ball is an ONL Giles baseball and is signed from the west panel through the sweet spot onto the east panel. The signature is quite beautiful and large, as much as what she is known for, and done in blue ink which rates a near perfect 10. The ball is lightly toned and in overall EX condition. It is accompanied by a hand-signed LOA from Charles Locke detailing how he came about this treasure and that it has never been out of his possession. It is also accompanied by a photo of Mansfield kissing Locke on his cheek while he holds this ball. The autograph is accompanied by a LOA from JSA who told us this could very well be the only Mansfield signed baseball in existence.