Naomi's Discovery

by Naomi Adams
(Douglas, Wyoming)

I am a 45 year old woman that grew up in Midland Texas. My dad was a typesetter for the Reporter Telegram. He was given ringside tickets for the weekly wrestling matches held in Odessa, Texas.

I remember my mother having her "fro" spit in by the Sheik, having to swiftly get out of the way when the wrestlers would take their bouts to the floor, catching tiny "sombreros" filled with candy that Ricky Romero would throw to the crowd; but most of all I remember being able to climb up to the ropes of the ring to get autographs.

I remember giving Ivan Putski a teady bear that he sat in the middle of the ring hugging (after he walked around the ring pulling a rolling toy dog on a string), the masked man Mr. Wrestler intrigued me, Gorgeous George was...gorgeous, Akiel Sato was scary.

My most memorable moment was when I placed my beloved autograph book in the hand of a giant...Andre the Giant! His hand was at least 10 of mine and I stood no higher than his waist! I stared up to him in total amazement. My life stood still in the moment when he lifted me up and over the ropes into his sweaty arms and chest.He spun around with me in his arms, the crowd went NUTS and I was as high as a mountain feeling as light as a feather! When he placed me back down I remember my legs shook and I almost fell off the tall mat!

These memories had been buried over the years, replaced by memories of 4 kids playing volleyball, basketball, football and of coarse my 2 sons wrestled from the age of 5! I am now an empty nester, and in my quest to rid my house of years of saved...STUFF" I came across my little autograph book! I have no idea what if any value there would be for any of the autographs I have but my son was so thrilled when he saw the one from Andre the Giant and told me to research my new found treasure!

Would there be any value to any of these autographs in my little book? I have narrowed the years to 1972-1977. I can recognize "Mr. Wrestler" as MISTER WRESTLER 1, "Aundre" as ANDRE THE GIANT ;Rick Romero" as RICKY ROMERO,'Gorgeous George J" as GORGEOUS GEORGE JR ,"Akiel Sato as just that;'; however, there are 2 autographs that I cannot make a connection with. ONE LOOKS LIKE IT IS SIGNED "STU' or' STEVE'" HOUSE."

And one that looks like it could be from Dory Funk. These are all in mint condition, they have been kept in the same autograph book all these years in a clean dry box. My question is if they hold any value and if so, whom or where could one sell them? Thank You, Naomi.