Picture this – a rare 1948 monochrome photograph of baseball prodigies Satchel Paige and Bob Feller, frozen in time, an image that later serves as the canvas for Paige’s 1949 Leaf rookie card. Or a unique snap of Ted Williams atop a zebra adding a touch of whimsy to an otherwise serious collection. These, amongst other historical gems, are part of RMY Auctions’ intriguing offering up for bids this May.
This auction house widely recognized for its fascinating visual memorabilia pulls all the stops for its May event as it presents over 900 pieces of photographic virtuosity. The collection chronicles essential moments in sports and entertainment history, like vintage images of baseball star Jack Chesbro frozen in time on a 1905 PC782 Rotograph photo postcard or a riveting snapshot of Babe Ruth’s inaugural season with the Yankees in 1920.
Notably on offer is a Satchel Paige classic, an original Type I photograph, picturing the player in action for the Kansas City Monarchs. Satchel’s unique journey from the Negro Leagues to mainstream Major League Baseball is fittingly commemorated through these powerful images.
Adding another layer of historical richness to the collection, a photo of a 23-year-old Jim Thorpe lensed by famed photographer George Grantham Bain and a 1934 photograph of Carl Hubbell that inspired the player’s 1933-36 Diamond Stars baseball card are included. Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig also score big with several shots capturing climactic sequences like a high-intensity scene from the 1928 World Series.
The collection, however, isn’t solely dedicated to yesteryear’s heroes. The auction house caters to the fandom of relatively recent sports stars as well. There’s an iconic 1972 shot of Roberto Clemente completing his 3000th career hit and a prized photograph of Wilt Chamberlain, ecstatic after setting a single-game record of 100 points. For basketball die-hards, the collection does not disappoint with vibrant captures of Michael Jordan in his NBA glory days, snapped by photographers from the Windy City.
Rounding off the eclectic offerings is a candid shot of Joe DiMaggio in the Yankees clubhouse, adding a sprinkle of casual charm to the collection.
This dynamic and wide-ranging repository serves a dual purpose. It offers a comprehensive visual narrative of 20th century sports and pop culture while providing a unique opportunity for avid collectors and photography connoisseurs to acquire a piece of history. The countdown to acquire these impossible-to-replicate photographic treasures is on! The final gavel falls on May 11. Ensure your paddle is up and ready to bid on a piece of the past. Because they say, a picture is worth a thousand words, but owning a piece of history? Priceless.
