(LOT 283)
c.1931 Grover Alexander "House of David" PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Associated Press Photo – Measures Approx. 8" x 10" - Includes PSA Type 1 LOA
One of the most interesting and eclectic barnstorming baseball teams was the "House of David" ballclub that toured rural America from the 1920's thru the 1950's. This extremely rigid religious cult (formerly the Israelite House of David) was originally co-founded by Benjamin and Mary Purnell in Benton Harbor, Michigan in March 1903. A significant sports enthusiast, Purnell encouraged members of this religious society to play multiple sports to build both spiritual and physical discipline, with a "soft-spot" for America's favorite baseball pastime. One of the stern conditions of partaking on Purnell's baseball team was that the players were required to wear long hair and beards, with this stipulation continuing through the 1950's as the House of David competed against amateur and semi-pro teams across the country. During the 1920's/'30's, a handful of legendary MLB stars joined the House of David team for a "game or two" on off-days or simply after their grueling 154 game campaigns were complete in early October.

A few of those superstars included Grover Cleveland Alexander, Mordecai "Three Fingered" Brown, Negro League icon Satchel Paige and even the incomparable Babe Ruth. With that in mind, presented here is a spectacular PSA Type 1 photo of the immortal Grover Alexander sporting his "House of David" pinstriped uniform as he embraces two teammates in a leisurely moment. Interestingly enough, this magnificent 8" x 10" illustration reveals Alexander NOT wearing the standard beard, with some of the flaws including a number of scattered wrinkles, and chips along the upper left border and right corner. Most significantly, the Alexander central image has remaining primarily unscathed, with the flipside including the critical ASSOCIATED PRESS credit stamp. Nicknamed "Old Pete", Grover Cleveland Alexander's pitching exploits included 373 wins and an unprecedented 3 consecutive pitching crown titles from 1915-1917 (leading the league in wins, strikeouts and E.R.A.), justifying why he stands tall as one of the greatest pitchers in major league history! PSA/DNA Encapsulated & PSA/DNA LOA.

MIN BID $300
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