Auction Item Details
Lot 33
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Lot Number: 33
Description: Historic May 31,1938 Lou Gehrig autographed and inscribed large format photograph from his 2,000th Consecutive Game Played (Ex-Joe McCarthy Collection)(PSA/DNA) The evening of May 30, 1938 was one of anticipation within the Gehrig housegold. The Yankees had swept the Red Sox in a doubleheader that day in front of a massive crowd of 81,000 fans at Yankee Stadium. Gehrig had belted four hits with four RBIs in the twin bill to lead the Bombers. But the May 31st date was to be quite different. It was to be the 2,000th consecutive game played by Lou Gehrig. No player had even approached the mark previously (Everett Scott at a 'mere' 1,307) and unknown to Gehrig himself would occur in his second to last season due to his tragic diagnosis in 1939. Seemingly a world removed from the May 30th throng of fans only 6,917 turned out for the game to celebrate Gehrig. Even the on field pre game celebration was not broadcast over the stadium PA system. That evening of the 30th included Eleanor Gehrig suggesting that Lou sit out the game on the 31st so that the papers would write about it for days. She joked that it would be better than the "paragraph and floral horseshoe" he would receive otherwise. Nonetheless, Gehrig appeared on the field in Yankees uniform just as he did for the previous 1,999 game. A small celebration occurred with Gehrig posing for photographs including an iconic image picturing him shaking hands with manager Joe McCarthy with his teammates saluting him raising their hats. That very image was published in the New York Times the following day lauding Gehrig's accomplishment as one that would never be broken. Eleanor was proven correct as Lou came home that night with a floral horseshoe around his neck to her great laughter and joy. Offered is an exceptional large format 8"x12" sepia tone original rendering of that classic image picturing Gehrig with McCarthy and teammates. The photo originated from the personal collection of Joe McCarthy and is signed and inscribed across the front in black fountain pen, "To Joe, With Kindest Personal Regards, Lou Gehrig". At the bottom margin of the photo Gehrig added, "2000-May 31, 1938". The inscription and signature range from 6-8 out of 10 mostly due to having been signed within the body of the image lacking ideal contrast areas. Photo is also signed by Yankees teammate Earle Combs in black ink. The image itself appears as flawless within a museum quality matting and frame exhibiting superlative contrast save for a few areas of typical light surface creasing. Almost certainly the only existing signed example of this historic photo with poignant importance to a monumental career achievement. Includes full LOA from PSA/DNA and copy from the original Sotheby's catalogue offering in the 1990s denoting McCarthy provenance along with signed letter of provenance from Geddy Lee. This lot is featured within Geddy's forthcoming book "72 Stories from the Collection of Geddy Lee". A signed copy of the book will accompany the winning bid of this lot: Photo: EX-MT, Signature/Inscription: Range EX-NMEstimated Price Range: ($10,000-$20,000)
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