Herbert Chapman signed typescript letter on Arsenal FC letterhead, signed in ink, the letter dated 25th April 1931, addressed to Mr Arthur L. Frank a

Herbert Chapman signed typescript letter on Arsenal FC letterhead, signed in ink, the letter dated 25th April 1931, addressed to Mr Arthur L. Frank and being a thank you for Mr Frank's congratulatory letter sent to the club on winning the Championship title for the first time, complete with mailing envelope Herbert Chapman (19 January 1878 - 6 January 1934) was an English football player and manager. Though he had an undistinguished playing career, he went on to become one of the most successful and influential managers in early 20th-century English football, before his sudden death in 1934. In 1925, Arsenal successfully tempted Chapman to join them, and he led the club to its first FA Cup success and two First Division titles. His work at Arsenal resulted in them becoming the dominant team of the 1930s - they would win five League titles in the decade - but he did not live to see them do so, dying suddenly from pneumonia in 1934, at the age of 55.Not only credited with turning around the fortunes of both Huddersfield Town and Arsenal, he is regarded as one of the game's first modernisers. He introduced new tactics and training techniques into the English game, as well as championing innovations such as floodlighting, European club competitions and numbered shirts, and has received many posthumous honours in recognition.