When Shoeless Joe Jackson was exiled from organized baseball in 1921 as a result of the infamous “Black Sox Scandal”, the former White Sox slugger became a bat-for-hire mercenary, playing under assumed names for any team that would pay his price. After a few years, Jackson was tired of the constant traveling and settled down in Savannah, Georgia where he operated a dry-cleaning business with his beloved wife Katie. In 1932 Jackson and his wife moved to Greenville, South Carolina, the town where he began his professional career and earned his iconic nickname of “Shoeless Joe.” Jackson would live in Greenville until his passing in 1951 at the age of 64.

It was widely known that Jackson was illiterate, so autographs of the legendary baseball figure are nearly impossible to find. This offered item, his South Carolina driver’s license, is one of the rare documents to have a “Shoeless” Joe Jackson signature. Measuring approximately 2 ¼ x 4 inches, this faded yellow paper has “SOUTH CAROLINA DRIVER’S LICENSE NO.” printed across the top with Jackson’s ID number “39523” handwritten on the pre-printed line in black pen. A South Carolina outline in red is stamped on the upper left corner indicating when the license was valid until – in this case “GOOD UNTIL JUNE 30 1949”. In the “BIRTH DATE” box, Jackson’s birthday is also handwritten “7-16-88”. Jackson’s address is printed in different type from the pre-printed categories and lists his address as “15 Pendleton St. W. Greenville, S.C.”. Jackson signed his name on the “USUAL SIGNATURE” line in bold black ink. Both of the “J’s” in Joe and Jackson are partially cut off and there is a mark that appears to be some kind of water or moisture mark in the “son” of Jackson. This certificate displays toning and edge wear and has been encapsulated and authenticated by PSA/DNA (AA09852) with a corresponding LOA for Jackson’s signature.

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