Harry Heilmann won four batting crowns with averages of .403, .398, ..394, and .393. During his peak from 1921-1927 he averaged 116 runs batted in, 41 doubles, 11 triples, and 104 runs while hitting .380. One of only five American Leaguers to hit at least .400, Heilmann played 17 big league seasons and retired with a .342 lifetime mark. In the collection is this government postcard mailed form Detroit with a 1949 postmark.

Government postcards provide aid to authenticating autographs. Collectors would send a postcard to the desired target. When the autograph returned in the mail it would contain a postmark verifying the exact date and place from where it was mailed. This postmark reveals an April 26, 1949 mailing from Detroit where he played for 15 years of his 17 seasons. Heilmann was a radio announcer for the Tigers in ’49 as Detroit played a doubleheader at Chicago against the White Sox. As was customary at the time, Heilmann as radio announcer did not travel with the team.

In the collection is this 1922 exhibit card featuring Detroit slugger Harry Heilmann. Eight seasons of 100+ runs batted in helped Heilmann compile 1,540 career RBI. A Major Leaguer from 1914-1932, Heilmann received votes in Most Valuable Player Award balloting in seven different seasons. When his playing career ended, Heilmann became a play-by-play announcer for the Tigers from 1934-1950.