Billy Williams
Date of Birth: 6/15/1938
Rookie Card Year: 1961
Investment Rating: 7.0
Overview
Billy Williams cards and autographed memorabilia are cherished by collectors of the Chicago Cubs. All but two of his 17 years in the big leagues were spent with the team. Williams retired at the end of the 1976 season with a lifetime batting average of .290, 2,711 hits, 426 home runs and 1,475 runs batted in.
Billy Williams' rookie card is from the 1961 Topps Baseball set. He also has two other first-year cards from that year, one distributed by Rawlings and a Chicago Cubs team-issued card. Both are very popular with collectors.
Williams first certified autograph cards were premiums from food and beverage releases in 1996, Big League Chew and Canadian Club. His first autographed card released by a trading card manufacturer can be found in 1998 Donruss Signature Series. The card is serial numbered to 2,000.
The first Billy Williams game-used memorabilia cards can be found in multiple 2001 Donruss and Upper Deck product. His 2001 Donruss Classics Legendary Lumberjacks Autographs card is particularly popular with collectors. It is limited to just 25 serial numbered copies, it includes a game-used bat piece to go with the signature.
Billy Williams has always been a gracious in-person signer. He also participates in organized signing events making for an ample supply of autographed memorabilia.
Billy Williams Rookie Card
1961 Topps Billy Williams RC #141
Billy Williams and longtime teammate Ron Santo both have rookie cards in 1961 Topps Baseball. The card displays the "star rookie" logo. In fact, Williams was the National League Rookie of the Year. The biggest challenge with this card, from a condition perspective, is the coloring of the borders. Being as old as they are, they can be tough to locate without any discoloration or staining.
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Autograph Guide
Billy Williams Autographed Memorabilia Buying Guide
Below you will find an example of what Billy Williams' authentic signature looks like. This can be used as a first point of reference for determining the legitimacy of autograph memorabilia, but is not a substitute for having your items authenticated by a well-respected professional autograph authentication company. Some of the trusted sources within the sports memorabilia market include the following companies: PSA, JSA, Steiner, Mounted Memories and Tristar. Click on any of the images below to view full size photos.
Billy Williams Cut Signature Exemplar:
Billy Williams Key Signature Attributes: An authentic Billy Williams signature autograph will exhibit several distinguishing characteristics. Regardless of the type of item or when it was signed, look for the following signature features:
- The signature is written in cursive on an even horizontal plane with a slight lean to the right.
- The letters "B" and "W" are slightly larger than the other letters.
- The "B" looks like a numeral "3" with a "C" shape connecting at the top of the "3."
- The "i" is absent.
- The "l"s are widely spaced with each having an open loop.
- The "y" is implied by a line coming off the second "l" and falling below the horizontal.
- The "W" is written in a way that a small loop is formed in the middle of the letter.
- The "i" is again absent.
- The second pair of "l"s are spaced more closely together and are longer than than first pair.
- The remaining letters are not discernible. However, a stray dot seems to imply the "i."
Billy Williams Signed Baseball Pricing
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Billy Williams Signed Bat Pricing
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Billy Williams Signed Jersey Pricing
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Billy Williams Signed Photograph Pricing
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More Info
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