(LOT 86)
1914 "Shoeless" Joe Jackson PSA Type I Encapsulated George Grantham Bain Photo – Measures Approx. 4-1/4" x 7"
Presented here is a magnificent "Shoeless" Joe Jackson 1914 photo issued by renowned photographer George Grantham Bain. Measuring approximately 4-1/4" x 7", this majestic PSA Type 1 image portrays the immortal Joe Jackson donning his classic Cleveland Indians uniform at a period of time when the fearsome slugger was wreaking havoc on American League hurlers. Famous for swinging his legendary "Black Betsy" bat that led to a myriad of scalding line drive safeties, Bain struck this hallowed image when "Shoeless Joe's" name was already etched in stone as one of baseball's three foremost players (along with Cobb and Wagner). Unquestionably one of our National Pastime's greatest all-time hitters, Jackson's stature carries as much weight in the hobby as any prestigious baseball subject. His amazing legacy began way before he played in his first Major League game with the Philadelphia A's in 1908. While playing with the minor league Greenville club in the Carolina Association, Jackson developed painful blisters due to breaking in a new pair of spikes.

The next game he played without shoes with only his black stockings covering his feet. During the game as he slid into third base after hitting a booming triple, a fan noticed he was not wearing spikes and shouted "you shoeless sonofagun"! A sportswriter picked up on this, printed it the next day, and the legend of "Shoeless" Joe was born. After entering the Major Leagues with Connie Mack's Athletics in 1908, it was clear to Mack that Jackson was not going to flourish in a "big city" environment, eventually trading this "country bumpkin" to Cleveland after only 41 plate appearances in his two short uneventful seasons in Philadelphia. After being called up from the minor leagues in 1910, Jackson finally displayed his unparalleled batting skills, batting a robust .387 the remainder of the season.

It all came together for "Shoeless" Joe from 1911 thru 1913, when the uncanny batsman posted consecutive sensational averages of .408, ,395 and .373 respectively. Although his formidable .338 average for the 1914 campaign represented a somewhat "drop" in his previous production, Jackson would continue his batting exploits the remainder of his career with Cleveland and the Chicago White Sox to the tune of an unfathomable .356 lifetime average. Unfortunately for "Shoeless" Joe, his career was tragically cut short when he was banned from baseball forever for allegedly taking part in throwing the 1919 World Series; yet due to the infamous "Black Sox" scandal his popularity has increased profoundly. No wonder this pre-White Sox sepia-toned image is held in the utmost esteem, with Jackson's stoic pose portraying crystal-clear clarity and stellar contrast.

The standard Bain text is situated near the upper edge, depicting "JACKSON" in white block letters, with negligible blemishes including some stray wrinkles and a few faint surface scratches near Jackson's cap. No glaring flaws are evident and the flipside reveals the significant George Grantham Bain News Service violet credit stamp as well as a March 1914 date indicating the image was taken during the Indian's 1914 Spring Training. A truly miraculous heirloom from Jackson's early playing days with Cleveland, it turns back the clock to an era when this remarkable hitter was unleashing his unparalleled batting prowess that ultimately led him to posting the third highest lifetime batting average in baseball history! - PSA Type I Encapsulation

MIN BID $1,000
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