ARTICLES / The Final Signature: Why Lou Gehrig's Autographs from 1938–1940 Demand Serious Scrutiny

 

 

Lou Gehrig’s story is one of unmatched strength, tragic decline, and timeless inspiration. Known as “The Iron Horse,” he stood as a paragon of reliability, playing in 2,130 consecutive games for the New York Yankees until illness ended both the streak and, shortly after, his life. But amid the reverence for Gehrig's life and career lies an increasingly important issue for collectors: the authenticity of autographs attributed to him during the final years of his life—specifically from mid-1938 to 1940.

A Decline Both Visible and Invisible

By the middle of the 1938 baseball season, Gehrig's performance began to deteriorate in ways that puzzled fans and teammates alike. Balls he once drove with ease fell short. His timing slipped. What few understood at the time was that the earliest symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)—a disease that would ultimately bear his name—were quietly beginning their assault.

ALS affects voluntary muscle control, including fine motor skills. As the disease progressed, it robbed Gehrig of the ability to perform simple, everyday tasks—among them, the ability to hold a pen and sign his name.

By early 1939, Gehrig’s motor skills had declined to such a degree that even signing legal documents required assistance, often from his wife, Eleanor Gehrig. In fact, from mid-1938 through 1940, there is overwhelming evidence that Lou Gehrig rarely, if ever, signed anything himself. His signature was either assisted, executed entirely by Eleanor, or absent altogether.

Autographs During the ALS Period: A Rare Reality

Any item claiming to bear Lou Gehrig’s unaided signature during this period should be treated with considerable skepticism. Authentic signatures from mid-1938 through 1940 would have shown:

• Tremendous signs of struggle, including shakiness, inconsistent ink flow, or fragmented letters
• Partial or incomplete signatures, especially on memorabilia requiring pressure (e.g., baseballs, books)
• Obvious differences from his earlier, more fluid penmanship

If a signature from this timeframe appears bold, smooth, or consistent with earlier examples, it should raise red flags immediately. The harsh truth is that Gehrig’s condition made it nearly impossible for him to sign unaided. Most genuine signatures ceased entirely during this window.

The Role of Eleanor Gehrig

It is well documented that Eleanor Gehrig took over many of her husband’s responsibilities, both public and private, during his illness. This included signing legal documents, fan correspondence, and other personal matters. In some cases, she would attempt to imitate Lou’s signature; in others, she would simply sign her own name or a shortened version of his.

As such, many signatures from this era are technically not forgeries in the criminal sense—but they are not signed by Lou Gehrig himself. Collectors should understand the difference and adjust valuations accordingly.

Be Wary of “Too Perfect” Signatures

The memorabilia market continues to see a number of items—baseballs, photos, letters—dated between 1938 and 1940 that feature what appear to be pristine Lou Gehrig signatures. These should immediately be subject to rigorous evaluation.

Red flags include:

• No signs of shakiness or degraded motor control
• Strong ink flow with no pressure inconsistencies
• Generic or unverified certificates of authenticity (COAs)
• Lack of credible provenance
• Inappropriate materials or posthumous context (e.g., balls not used in the 1930s, modern photo prints)
  
  

The Collector's Responsibility

If you're a collector or dealer encountering a Lou Gehrig signature dated between mid-1938 and 1940, it’s essential to consult with qualified experts in vintage sports memorabilia and handwriting analysis—not generic or mass-market authentication services.

Look for specialists who:

• Have documented experience with early 20th-century autographs
• Offer detailed, written evaluations—not just COA labels
• Examine the full item context, from ink type and material age to signature formation and provenance

Authenticating Gehrig’s signature during this time requires more than a trained eye; it requires historical understanding, handwriting science, and a careful review of the human condition he endured.

Honoring the Legacy with Truth

Lou Gehrig's fight against ALS captured the heart of a nation. His humility and courage are etched into the history of American sports—and they deserve to be treated with integrity. That includes his autograph, which should never be distorted for profit or prestige.

Collectors must remain informed, cautious, and above all, respectful of the reality of Gehrig’s final years. There is nothing shameful in his physical decline—only in attempts to misrepresent the truth of it.

A real Lou Gehrig signature is a treasure. A real understanding of when he could and could not sign is just as valuable.

 

Sidebar: Collector’s Checklist for Late-Period Gehrig Signatures (1938–1940)

✅ Check for visible signs of labored handwriting
✅ Demand full item provenance
✅ Be skeptical of clean, flowing autographs from this time (1938-1940)
✅ Seek evaluations from qualified vintage experts, not COA mills
✅ Be wary of memorabilia dated during Gehrig’s retirement years