(LOT 130)
c.1912-1915 Walter Johnson CHARLES CONLON Pitching Pose - PSA Type I Original Photo – "Image used for Johnson's 1921-1923 National Caramel E220 Card" - Measures Approx. 8" x 10" - PSA Type I LOA
No baseball photographer carries the ultimate prestige of Charles Conlon, who along with other icons such as George Grantham Bain, Carl Horner, and Paul Thompson, captured our National Pastime's greatest players in a "moment of time" so many times during the pre-WW1 era. One of those immortal ballplayers is the incomparable Walter Johnson's whose legendary fastball overpowered hitters for some 20 seasons, leading to the unfathomable modern-day records of 417 wins and 113 shutouts! Indeed, trying to hit the "Big Train's" fastball was like "trying to eat soup with a fork", substantiating his assumed #1 stature among all baseball hurlers.

No wonder this remarkable 8" x 10" Charles Conlon pitching image of the hallowed Senators twirler arguably resides as his most revered photo extant, portraying the iconic hurler in an imposing pitching pose that exhibits the finest possible black & white contrast and resolution imaginable. Even more impressive is that is the exact image that was utilized for Walter Johnson's 1921-'23 National Caramel subject, with original photos of renowned baseball cards continuously achieving record-setting prices. Donning his classic Washington Senators uniform worn during the 1912-1915 period, Johnson has just completed one of his legendary pitches as he loosens up on the sidelines. Blemishes include some stray wrinkles, a lower right corner chip and scattered border tarnishing, yet none of these impede on the breathtaking central image aesthetics.

The verso reveals the critical "Charles M. Conlon – Evening Telegram – New York" credit stamp, with Walter Johnson's namely lightly scripted in pencil. Arguably the most exalted of ALL Walter Johnson images, any esteemed photo collector would be wise to ride this world-class "Big Train" offering directly to the winner's circle! - LOA – PSA/DNA Type I

MIN BID $500