1970 Mayor Richard J. Daley & Cardinal John Cody Signed Baseball Chicago – COA PSA/DNA

Richard J. Daley was an American politician who served as the Mayor of Chicago from 1955 and the chairman of the Cook County Democratic Party Central Committee from 1953 until his death. He’s been called ‘the last of the big city bosses’, who were able to control and mobilize American cities.

Cardinal John Cody was appointed Archbishop of Chicago, on June 14, 1965, and installed August 24, 1965. He was elevated to cardinal on June 26, 1967. Cody’s time in Chicago was marked by strife and controversy, including federal investigations of financial improprieties and an ambiguous relationship with Helen Dolan Wilson, who was alleged to be his mistress.

Presented is an ONL (Feeney) baseball autographed by both Chicago legends. Daley signed his name on the northern panel in black ink (“7-8”) with a personalization and Cody autographed it on the south panel in black ink (“7-8”).

Authentication: PSA/DNA Auction House Letter

This ball is from one of the largest and most comprehensive collections of autographed baseballs in the world. Altogether they were easily displayable in custom shelf form and alphabetically displayed nonetheless. The choice of medium was visually easy for the encyclopedic collector who put these together. It took several decades to amass these rare autographs of the most prominent entertainers, historical figures, and sports players.  It proved quite difficult to acquire autographs of non-ballplayers on such an odd object (a baseball) but diligence proved otherwise and that it’s possible. So, now with the collection complete and his shelves empty there’s only one thing left to do….bid on this item and start the challenge to see how far you can take it.