This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
Elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1936, Walter Johnson remains one of the greatest pitchers that the game has ever seen. Using a side arm motion that is said to have thrown a faster pitch than any other pitcher of his time, the "Big Train" racked up 416 wins 110 of which were shutouts, a record not likely to ever be broken. Upon his retirement from baseball, Johnson set out on a relatively unsuccessful career as a politician. In this letter, written entirely in his hand on his personal stationary and dated March 22, 1940 Johnson discusses with a friend an upcoming election in which he will be participating in as a candidate. The letter reads in part "...I will be lucky to get through this primary, if I can win this the general election in the Fall will be easier I think..." The letter itself is in excellent condition, showing slight discoloration and some light chipping around the edges as well as the original fold lines. Johnson signed "Sincerely from, Walter Johnson" with a signature that rates a near 10.