This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 1/24/2020
Featured is an exceptionally fine Type I photo of the "Iron Horse" Lou Gehrig from the famed lens of Charles Conlon. The image of a young and jovial Gehrig shows the famed slugger at the beginning of his career and is also employed on both his 1926 Exhibit Stat Back issue as well as on his 1931 W517 release. We are proud to offer this 6" x 8" Type I - 1st generation photo of one of the most beloved players to ever grace the diamond. Gehrig batted .340 over 17 seasons with the Yankees beginning in 1923 and played in 2,130 consecutive games beginning in 1925. He drove in at least 140 runs eight times and won the coveted Triple Crown award in 1934 by posting a .363 batting average to go along with 49 home runs and 165 RBI's. Gehrig embodied what it was to be a Yankee and gave them an aura of class and invincibility. He was the Yankee Captain, the last until catcher Thurman Munson in the 1970's was given the honor. Today Derek Jeter claims that title, maintaining a level of excellence and professionalism required to be named "Captain". The photo itself is high grade and rates easily at the Near Mint level while providing great visual appeal. This important and thought provoking image which has been used for countless trading cards and publications is one of the most recognizable depictions of the Yankee legend ever created. The reverse employs the sticker from the famed 1996 Christies photo auction as well as pencil writing in the unmistakable hand of Charles Conlon. A truly remarkable photo that has to rate at the very top of the Gehrig Type I photos available, in fact Henery Yee the lead authenticator of photography for PSA/DNA called this the Holy Grail of Lou Gehrig Type I photos and noted that he believed that this was only the second known copy of this photo!. It is accompanied by an LOA from PSA/DNA as a Type I photo Henry Yee.