(LOT 299)
1938 Lou Gehrig Original PSA Type 1 Encapsulated ACME Newspictures Photo - Measures Approx. 5" x 7"
PORTRAIT IRON HORSE!!!... The legacy of Henry Louis Gehrig is nearly unparalleled in MLB history, with the Iron Horse widely considered baseball's greatest all-time first sacker. The powerful slugger belted 493 home runs, knocked in nearly 2,000 runs, posted a sensational .340 lifetime average, won a Triple Crown (1934) and incredibly knocked in over 100 runs in 13 consecutive seasons. Yet, for all of his batting accomplishments, Gehrig's immortal stature is still linked to his unfathomable 2,130 consecutive game streak that came to an abrupt end in 1939 via the incurable ALS disease that claimed his life in 1941. It was that illness that eventually led to his incomparable "Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth" speech on July 4, 1939 that still resides as baseball's Gettysburg Address. No wonder elite hobbyists actively pursue his high-end collectibles, with this breathtaking 1938 portrait batting image destined to find a permanent home in any sophisticated photo gathering.

Taken by ACME Newspictures on September 26, 1938, it resides as one of the most imposing Gehrig portrait photos extant, with the 1938 campaign being Gehrig's final full season. The critical back caption states that Gehrig and the Yankees will be playing in the 1938 World Series, with the Bronx Bombers moving on to best the Chicago Cubs for their third consecutive championship. While Gehrig extended his consecutive game hit streak to over 2,000 games that same season, inexplicably, the last few months of the year saw Lou's batting prowess significantly taper off with everyone unaware he was in the early stages of the ALS disease. Measuring 5" x 7", Gehrig's stoic pose is truly captivating, as Lou appears to be gazing into an unknown future. Crystal-clear clarity and virtually perfect contrast dominate the show, with the only notable flaw being a diminutive vertical tear situated near the central upper edge. The final exclamation point is the aforementioned caption detailing the Yankees as American League Champions, with this magnificent Lou Gehrig heirloom standing as a sheer reminder of his unequivocal hallowed stature!

MIN BID $300
_