Lot # 1695: c. 1920s Babe Herman 6-1/2" x 8-1/2" PSA Encapsulated Type 1 Charles Conlon Authentic Photograph – Used for Herman’s 1933 Tattoo Orbit R305 Card

Category: Photos

Starting Bid: $200.00

Bids: 3 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Fall Rarities Auction 2021",
which ran from 9/25/2021 12:00 PM to
10/9/2021 7:00 PM




(LOT 1695)
c. 1920s Babe Herman 6-1/2" x 8-1/2" PSA Encapsulated Type 1 Charles Conlon Authentic Photograph Used for Herman's 1933 Tattoo Orbit R305 Card

It's difficult to determine who was in fact the most popular historical figures between photographer Charles Conlon or Brooklyn Dodgers right fielder Babe Herman. Actually no. Conlon's influence on the world of photography as well as his historical subjects and photographs make him far more intriguing than Herman, who played 13 seasons with the Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pirates and Detroit Tigers. While his speed was exceptional, tallying 71 triples from 1929-1933 and his .324 career batting average is respectable, Babe's fielding and defensive play left much to be desired and he was often the butt of the joke, in the clubhouse and elsewhere. However, he is still one of only two players (Bob Muesel) to hit for the cycle three times. Extraordinary!

On the other and, Charles Conlon was a pioneer in the field of sports photography as he captured some of the most enduring images in the history of baseball. Conlon's photo of Ty Cobb sliding into third base at Hilltop Park in 1910 remains one of the most recognizable in all of sports and is considered the first "in-action" photograph in sports. But, his eye caught more than the action on the field as his portraits and headshots of players, too, are some of the most recognizable. Shots of Christy Mathewson; a weathered Hack Wilson; a jocular Pete Alexander; a youthful Walter Johnson; the tall tactician Connie Mack; stoic John McGraw and stern Casey Stengel; and of course all of the images of players in follow-thru from Ruth to Greenberg to Gehrig to lesser known Brooklyn Superba Tim Jordan.

Conlon had an eye and he was the best in his craft. Offered is a stunning 6-1/2" x 8-1/2" Charles Conlon photograph of Herman seated; a photo later used to produce the 1933 Tattoo Orbit R305 Baseball card. The borders remain white with minimal edge wear aside from what appears to be tack holes at the top corners and one on the right side. Minor surface abrasions exist. The reverse shows the "CHARLES CONLON EVENING TELEGRAPH NEW YORK" stamp and multiple pencil notations in Conlon's own hand. Very little toning is evident and some black photo album residue remains. At the bottom left, an "Original 1996 Baseball Magazine" hologram sticker was placed following the historic sale. Just another striking example of how acute Conlon's eye really was!


MIN BID $200
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