1949 Monty Stratton Signed Letter, Photo and Jimmy Stewart Signed Photo

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This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/15/2021

Here’s a fascinating trifecta: a brief letter to a fan from Monty Stratton with elegant autograph, an 8-by-10 photo of Jimmy Stewart with another great autograph, and an unsigned 8-by-10 of Stewart portraying the legendary hurler in “The Stratton Story.” Stratton had a promising major-league career cut short after five seasons by a hunting accident that ultimately led to having his leg amputated. His inspiring story of overcoming this nightmare and returning to pitch in the minor leagues was the premise of the highly successful film in 1949 that would win an Academy Award for writing. The 7-by 10 ½-inch letter (Near-Mint) is on Greenville, Texas stationary, and in a single sentence Stratton apologizes and notes his inventory of photos is exhausted. The letter is dated October 23, 1949, and comes with a carefully opened letter with Greenville Postmark and 3-Cent stamp. The Jimmy Stewart signed black-and-white photo is in Near-Mint condition, with Stewart autograph and personalization in black Sharpie; the unsigned black-and-white photo of Stewart in Stratton’s baseball uniform is also Near-Mint. This is a striking homage to a legendary MLB figure and a Hollywood star of even greater magnitude.