Description:

Frankie Frisch
n.p., [ca. November 1944]
Frankie Frisch Signs Short Snorters with Omar Bradley and George Patton in 1944! PSA and More!
Signed photograph
An incredible vintage signed photograph showing Generals George S. Patton, Jr. and Omar Bradley, along with Dutch Leonard of the baseball team Washington Senators (second to right) and legendary baseball coach Frankie Frisch (right), while the group is signing "short snorters" for soldiers during a USO in Europe tour at the end of 1944! It is also possible that the gentleman to the left is General Roy Stockton, but further research is needed to verify. The photo measures 10" x 8" b/w and signed by Frisch across his back at lower right with just good contrast. Otherwise in fine condition, and triple certified: jumbo encapsulated by Beckett Grading Services to 13" x 9.5", as well as bearing JSA sticker and a PSA/DNA sticker on verso. Accompanied by a copy of the PSA/DNA Certificate.

Baseball greats Frankie Frisch and Dutch Leonard were part of a USO show which featured other players such as Bucky Walters and Mel Ott, and entertained troops in Europe from November, 1944 to January, 1945. This photo in fact may have been taken at the First Army Theater in the fateful Malmedy, Brussels, scene of the notorious massacre during the Battle of the Bulge on December 17, 1944.

Frankie Frisch (1897-1973) was an American second baseman and manager, playing in numerous teams and then managing others. He is tied with Yogi Berra for earning the most World Series Doubles, at 10. At the time of this photograph, Frisch was manager for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

A "short snorter" is a bank note signed by a celebrity or other recognized individual, and were collected and swapped by G.I.s during World War II in the heyday of their popularity. However, the term actually originates from the earlier era of barnstorming in the 1920s and during Prohibition, when pilots performing aerial stunts took to drinking "snorts" – a short shot of liquor – before their flights rather than the long pours customarily imbibed. When one pilot tasked with getting liquor for a post-show celebration aborted that mission in favor of a tryst, he found an ingenious way of hiding his slip-up: before admitting his guilt,he requested two dollars of his superior with which to purchase the forgotten booze. Instead of using both dollars he got on the liquor, he pocketed one, and signed one of the show's fake stage bill: "Short Snorter No. 1," turning this over to his boss as change. This swindle turned into an unspoken fraternal "club" of experienced flyboys who were quick to take to the ruse and extract scratch for "snorts" from naïve newcomers.

By World War II, the term "short snorter" had become ubiquitous with flying transatlantic flights during tours. Enthusiasts sought to collect long chains of these bills, with some carrying dozens of bills in streamer style – using them for commerce and a social status alike. Naturally these bills have now become wonderful snapshots-in-time of G.I.s war-time experiences abroad.

This item comes with a Certificate from John Reznikoff, a premier authenticator for both major 3rd party authentication services, PSA and JSA (James Spence Authentications), as well as numerous auction houses.

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  • Dimensions: 13" x 9.5
  • Medium: Signed photograph

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June 26, 2024 10:00 AM EDT
Wilton, CT, US

University Archives

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