(LOT 75)
1939 Lou Gehrig "Standing in Dugout" Type 1 Original ACME Newspictures Photo – Measures Approx. 7" x 9" – PSA Type 1 LOA
No one could possibly contemplate the un-measurable shock experienced by the baseball community and its associated fan base when Lou Gehrig ended his 2,130-consecutive game streak; pulling himself out of the lineup in Detroit on May 2, 1939. For 14 season Gehrig had steadfastly positioned himself at 1st base for the New York Yankees, clouting 493 homers, knocking in nearly 2,000 runs, compiling a sensational .340 lifetime batting average and accumulating 100+ R.B.I.'s in a record 13-consecutive seasons! Even more earth shattering was the incomprehensible sadness that swept across the country after the Mayo Clinic's report revealed that Gehrig was suffering from the incurable ALS disease (Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis) that would eventually claim the life of this Yankee icon.

Stricken to the bench forever after his excruciating May 2nd decision to terminate his playing days, Gehrig would remain with the team straight thru the end of the season in his "Captain" roll and see his Yankees claim their fourth consecutive world championship. As virtually every baseball fan knows, Gehrig's exalted moment would come on July 4th of that season when before a packed house on "Lou Gehrig Day", he would deliver his incomparable "Luckiest Man On The Face Of The Earth" farewell speech at Yankee Stadium that will forever reside as our National Pastime's "Gettysburg Address". As a momentous heirloom from that 1939 melancholy period, presented here is a momentous photo of Lou Gehrig standing near the top step of the Yankee Stadium dugout, with his chin leaning on his right hand and the 1939 Baseball Centennial patch clearly visible on his Yankee pinstriped left sleeve.

Taken after Gehrig ended his 2,130-game streak, it portrays the Yankee Captain helplessly peering at his teammates on the playing field, and act he would never be part of again. Measuring approximately 7" x 9" and deemed an unmistakable Type 1 original ACME Newspictures photo by PSA, you can almost feel Gehrig's anguish via his crystal-clear stoic pose. Impeccable contrast, a sparkling central image and a relatively clean surface ably assist its outstanding aesthetics, with only a few stray wrinkles situated near the upper right corner. The verso reveals the significant ACME Newspictures credit stamp as well as some "Lou Gehrig (1939)" pencil notations. As an everlasting tribute to Gehrig, 1939 would also see the "Iron Horse" enshrined in Cooperstown, New York, and his immortal #4 would be the first uniform number retired by ANY Major League team.

Gehrig would eventually succumb to his tragic ALS illness only two years later on June 2, 1937 at the tender age of 37, with his hallowed name standing as the ultimate embodiment of courage. This remarkable photo of Gehrig's final Yankee days effectively emanates all of the above sentiment, captivating its viewers and transcending us back to a by-gone era when this unparalleled legend captured the hearts of virtually every compassionate American! - LOA – PSA/DNA Type I

MIN BID $500
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