You are bidding on an autographed 8x10 George Brace Photo signed by baseball HOFer Al Barlick.... PSA COA..
Note that items with COAs come with individual COAs, sticker usually on back of item. I do not accept "Best Offer". Prices are reduced every 30 days until the item sells. Thanks for understanding this policy!
POSTAGE: $4.50 first item; 50 cents ea additional lot
Albert Joseph Barlick (April 2, 1915 – December 27, 1995) was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the National League for 28 seasons (1940–1943, 1946–1955, 1958–1971). Barlick missed two seasons (1944–45) due to service in the United States Coast Guard and two seasons (1956–57) due to heart problems. He umpired seven World Series and seven All-Star Games.
Barlick was known for a strong voice and for booming strike calls. After he left active umpiring in 1971, Barlick became an umpire scout and supervisor. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989.
The longest-running operation of all the great early photographers, George Burke and George Brace covered baseball in one form or another for the better part of the 20th century—from 1929 to the 1990s. Their tenure had an auspicious beginning, to say the least. In 1929, Cubs manager Joe McCarthy and catcher Gabby Hartnett sought out the ballclub’s previous photographer. They could only remember his last name, Burke, so they looked him up in the phone book. A listing leapt out at them: studio photographer George C. Burke, whose office was located near Wrigley Field. Thus began the baseball photography career of George Burke, who had no prior sports experience, and thus ended the career of photographer Francis Burke—the Cubs’ time-honored official cameraman and an unwitting victim of mistaken identity.
George Burke hired a young,
baseball-knowledgeable assistant named George Brace, and the two soon became
a Chicago institution. Ever-present at Wrigley Field
and Comiskey Park, Burke and Brace endeavored to amass a complete
portfolio of player portraits—a daunting task made possible by the fact
that Chicago was the only city with both an American League and a
National League franchise from 1929 all the way until Brace’s retirement in
1993. Nary a visiting ballplayer refused a quick sitting
during Chicago home stands. Some even stopped by Burke and Brace’s
studio for additional, more formal portraits. The tandem was also well-known
for endearingly candid pre-game and off-the-field shots—proof positive that
both photographers were always welcomed by their famed subjects, embraced by
them as friends at the stadium, at parties, in hotels, and on the street. The
Sporting News, Baseball Digest and Who’s Who
in the Major Leagues were just a few of the publications in
which Burke and Brace’s work frequently appeared.
In 1948, Burke suffered a heart attack.
Brace carried on the business for several years in order to offset his
partner’s medical expenses. Then, upon Burke’s death in 1951, Brace reduced his
commitment from a job to an all-encompassing hobby. Though no longer their
official photographer, he was still allowed full access by the Cubs and Sox
organizations. It was a privilege he would maintain up until his death, a
half-century later. With the exception of time spent as a U.S. Army
medic in the South Pacific during World War II, Brace attended at least one
game of every home series at Wrigley Field
and Comiskey Park throughout his entire 65-year career. For many
of those years, he worked late shifts or odd jobs that paid his expenses and
wouldn’t conflict with the game schedule. He always liked to arrive at the
ballpark several hours early, when players were just arriving and fans were
nowhere to be seen. In 1994, his age finally caught up with him. Worsening
eyesight forced his retirement from this long-time labor of love. Brace
followed baseball up until the end and also co-authored a book, The Game
That Was: The George Brace Photo Collection.
...... Shipping and Packaging details: I ship everything with cardboard backing. Additionally, I slip all autographed photos inside sturdy photo-protective sleeves. Payment details: Typically, I ship paypal payments right away. PAYPAL is recommended. International shipping will be higher as all international orders go through the Global Shipping program. How I obtained my autographs, and why I promise a FULL MONEY-BACK GUARANTEE: As a kid, from roughly the years 1965 to 1973, and later from 1974-the present, I have amassed an enormous collection of autographed sports and celebrity memorabilia. In most cases, using Jack Smalling's baseball address lists and other assorted address lists, I wrote to both active and retired baseball players, sending them letters, requests for signatures, and self-addressed-stamped envelopes. This is how I obtained thousands of autographs. I also obtained many autographs in person at area parks and hotels.In the 1980's and 1990's, I travelled the country doing shows (20 National Conventions) and would buy quantities of autographs through player signings. I have every reason to believe that all of the autographs I'm selling are absolutely authentic. I stand by every item I sell. Upon purchasing an item from me through eBay, you may return that item, in the condition in which I shipped it to you, within 14 days of receipt of that item if you are not satisfied with the item. I am selling each item "as is", per the guarantee I've promised above. All the old time autograph dealers know me and the professional authenticators will vouch for my reputation as well. I do this on a part time basis, so sometimes emails take a day. I have worked hard for my feedback rating. The last thing I want to do is damage my credibility, so if you have legitimate concerns about any item you win from me on eBay, I'll make every effort to remedy the situation to your satisfaction. PLEASE NOTE: Most items come with certificates of authenticity from outside companies (JSA and PSA predominantly; they are the best). I have spent lots of money with third party authenticators and have had very few come back without passing. Sincerely, Joe Binder , Downers Grove, Illinois