This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/16/2012
This check, drawn on an account at the Oakland Office of the Mellon National Bank and Trust Company in Pittsburgh, was filled out and signed "Roberto Clemente" ("9") in blue ballpoint ink by the Pittsburgh Pirates star outfielder on June 11, 1972—just a bit over six months before the cargo plane in which he was flying crashed shortly after takeoff. Clemente and the Pirates had just finished a 10-day long road trip by defeating the Dodgers 7-5 in Los Angeles, and Clemente was apparently tipping a club house attendant, making the check payable to Jim Mohe for $20.00 and noting “LA – Clubhouse” along the memo line. There is a trivial bank stamping along the left side of the document, far away from Clemente's robust signature. The check (5-3/4" x 2-1/2" visible area) is in very fine condition and is free of folds and rips that often plague lesser examples. Nicely matted along with an 8” x 10” portrait of Clemente and housed in a gold metallic frame, measuring 12” x 17.5” overall.
Surfacing from unique origins, this particular check was originally acquired by the Topps Company in the 1990s and used in a special 1998 Topps Baseball Roberto Clemente Memorabilia/Collectibles Madness promotion that the company initiated in conjunction with the release of their 1998 Topps baseball card series that year. Accompanying the piece is the original cover letter from Topps received by the lucky winner of the sweepstakes!
A fine specimen of one of the most desirable checks in all of collecting with impeccable provenance and unique history. Accompanied by a Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.