Harry Frazee Signed 1916 Red Sox Stock Certificate and TLS

Harry Frazee was a theatrical producer who bought the World Champion Red Sox from Joseph Lannin for a reported $675,000 in 1916. By the time he sold the team for $1.5 million in 1923, they were firmly entrenched in last place, with most of their previously rich pool of talent now playing for the Yankees. Such a transaction that would define his legacy, the sale of Babe Ruth in 1919 ignited the budding New York dynasty, and would forever be know as “Frazee’s Folly”. The offered original Boston American League Base-Ball Club stock certificate executed on December 16th, 1916 marks the beginning of the end for the leagues premier franchise. Two signatures of Joseph Lannin appear on the front signifying his roles as both President and Treasurer and granting the transfer of 115 shares to “Harry H. Frazee”. Frazee’s full signature (10/10) appears on the back, added upon the occasion of his endorsement of a portion of the shares on June 13, 1917.  Excellent condition. Accompanying the certificate are two typewritten notes, each of which is an acceptance of salary for positions within the Boston American League Baseball Club. W.J. Herrmann’s signed note acknowledges his acceptance of the position of “Vice-President, Secretary and Acting Treasurer” for the annual sum of $30,000. Frazee’s signed note (“H.H. Frazee”, 9/10) acknowledges his acceptance of the position of “General Manager and General Director” in exchange for the alarmingly generous salary of $65,000. Both notes are hinged together by glue, Very Good overall. 



Frazee's degree of infamy along with the fact that he passed away in 1929, make examples of his autograph quite alluring to collectors.  Signed documents such as these, relating directly to his tenure at the helm of the Red Sox, are the ultimate medium. LOA: PSA/DNA.