Chicago Cubs Original Check from 1917 Signed by Walter Craighead, Maurice Schick & Charles Weeghman (Beckett Encapsulated)

This original Chicago Cubs check is dated April 15, 1917 and was written to Maurice Schick. The check is hand-signed by Walter Craighead (D. 1920) & Charles Weeghman (D. 1938). The check is also signed on the back by Maurice Schick (D. 1979).

Walter Craighead was the business manager of the Chicago Cubs during the late 1910s, overseeing the team’s financial operations. His role included managing payroll, as evidenced by his signature on numerous Cubs payroll checks from 1918. He was also responsible for ticket sales and logistics, notably announcing ticket details for the 1918 World Series, in which the Cubs faced the Boston Red Sox. Craighead played a vital behind-the-scenes role in maintaining the club’s financial stability during a period of wartime challenges and competitive baseball.

Charles Weeghman was a prominent baseball executive best known for founding the Chicago Whales of the Federal League and later becoming the first owner of the Chicago Cubs after purchasing the team in 1916. He played a pivotal role in shaping the franchise by moving the Cubs into Weeghman Park, which was later renamed Wrigley Field. A successful restaurateur, Weeghman was an ambitious promoter who sought to modernize baseball with innovations such as allowing fans to keep foul balls. However, financial struggles following the collapse of the Federal League and World War I led to his exit from the Cubs in 1919, when William Wrigley Jr. took full control of the team.

Maurice Schick was a professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball for a brief period during the 1910s, primarily with the Chicago Cubs. Although his major league career was short-lived, Schick was known for his reliable bat and solid defensive skills. He spent most of his time in the minors, but had a brief stint with the Cubs, where he was part of the team's roster in 1917. Schick’s career in the majors didn’t reach great heights, but his time with the Cubs marked a moment in the early 20th century when the team was transitioning to a new generation of players. After his major league tenure, Schick continued his career in the minor leagues before fading from the professional baseball scene.

The check has been authenticated and encapsulated by Beckett for authenticity purposes.

Authentication: Beckett Encapsulated

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This item is being shipped from the Pristine Auction warehouse.