Lot # 131: Joe DiMaggio Busting Thru the “56 Sign” - PSA Type III Encapsulated Photo – Measures Approx. 8” x 10”

Category: Photos

Starting Bid: $200.00

Bids: 11 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
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This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring Rarities Auction 2020",
which ran from 5/6/2020 12:00 PM to
5/30/2020 7:00 PM




(LOT 131)
Joe DiMaggio Busting Thru the "56 Sign" - PSA Type III Encapsulated Photo – Measures Approx. 8" x 10"

Presented here is one of the most imposing Joe DiMaggio photos you will ever come across, an amazingly eclectic image of the "Yankee Clipper" busting through an oversized "56 Sign" that was issued as a promotional tool for his newly established 56-game hitting streak record. Encapsulated and deemed a PSA Type III photo, the accompanying PSA LOA clearly states as follows: "Photo was made from a 1941 Newsreel featuring a clip of DiMaggio shorty after he hit in a record 56 straight games". For full disclosure, Type III images are still ultra-desirable to vintage collectors because they were issued during the period in which the original negative was issued. This particular offering was issued from a 1941 DiMaggio Newsreel during that same season, clearly placing it as a period Type III and one of the rarest and most significant "Joltin Joe" illustrations extant.

Substantiating that notion is the unparalleled story behind the photo, with DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak standing as one of our National Pastime's arguable "un-breakable" records. The Hall of Fame centerfielder would do it all that '41 season, batting a robust .357 (including an unfathomable .408 clip & .717 slugging % during the streak), belting 30 homers, knocking in 125 runs and most incredibly, striking out only 13 times in 622 plate appearances! As an almost anticlimax, he was voted the American League's MVP award (even besting Ted Williams who batted .406), and led the Yankees to another World Series title. Above all, his uncanny streak left an indelible mark on not only baseball but America itself, leading to the iconic 1941 song "Joltin Joe DiMaggio" by Ben Homer & Alan Courtney (performed by Les Brown's Orchestra & sung by Betty Bonney).

Indeed, Joe DiMaggio was now the true embodiment of a National hero and this photo resides as the perfect testament for his unbridled legacy. Measuring approximately 8" x 10", the brilliant image exhibits outstanding contrast and clarity as the cap-less DiMaggio breaks thru the oversized "56" sign donning his NEW YORK gray road flannel uniform. Other than a few stray wrinkles barely visible to the naked eye and an upper left edge diminutive chip, no noteworthy flaws are evident. The final superlative is the flipside's critical newspaper caption that has been boldly stamped "DEC 13, 1941" and reads as follows: "And here's DiMaggio coming through just as he did for the record he set last summer when he hit safely in 56 consecutive games to break the former marks of Wee Willie Keeler and George Sisler.

His feat is featured in the new American League move which, with the new National League film, will be shown at the Voice of the Grandstand free baseball movie parties.". As a side note, after the Indian's slick-fielding 3rd sacker Ken Keltner "robbed" DiMaggio twice to end his streak in Cleveland on July 17th, the Yankee Clipper would go on to hit safely in 16 additional games, remarkably hitting safely in 72 of 73 games. Indeed, no photo such as this captivating offering could better define DiMaggio's immortal MLB record that most assuredly will forever stand the test of time! – PSA Type III Encapsulation

MIN BID $200
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