Fountain pen signature, “Knute Rockne,” on an off-white 3.5 x 2.5 card. Collector’s notation on reverse of card is dated May 24, 1928. Card is tipped into the title page of a hardcover copy of Rockne by Warren Brown, with a tipped in signature and inscription from Brown, two other signatures to first free end page including Louis Schlosser, a teammate of Rockne’s, and a 1931 telegram from St. Mary’s coach Slip Madigan. In fine condition, with a mild overall shade of toning to card and the “e” in “Knute” a bit light; the book is very good to fine with toning to the inner boards and end pages.
Perhaps college football's most famous coach, and one of the few whose life inspired a movie, Rockne was well-known for his preference of speed over brute force, his use of psychology, and his half-time orations. It was prior to the 1928 Army-Notre Dame game that he inspired his team to victory with his now-iconic "Win one for the Gipper" story. That speech, on November 10, 1928, catapulted Rockne to football immorality and was delivered just six month after a fan secured this autograph. Pre-certified Steve Grad/PSA/DNA and RRAuction COA.
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