(LOT 78)
1939 Lou Gehrig Day – Momentous "Gehrig Bowing His Head" Type 1 Original ACME Newspictures Photo – Measures Approx. 6" x 8" – PSA Type 1 LOA
No one could possibly measure the immense sadness experienced by some 62,000 fans and abundance of New York Yankees on July 4, 1939. The immortal Lou Gehrig, stricken with the deadly Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis disease (ALS), was honored at Yankee Stadium, eventually stepping to the microphone and delivering his iconic "Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth" speech that will forever stand as our National Pastime's "Gettysburg Address. One of the most hallowed moments in baseball history, it is no secret that a myriad of sophisticated collectors actively pursue original photos representing this truly iconic moment, justifying why this incredible 6' x 8' PSA Type 1 photo of a melancholy Gehrig stands as one of the foremost images you will ever come across.

You can literally feel Gehrig's immeasurable grief as the 'Iron Horse" stands firm with his head slightly bowed, seemingly blinking back the tears as he soaks in this legendary moment. Exhibiting outstanding contrast and clarity, the immortal image is well centered between four relatively clean white borders, and no obtrusive surface flaws are evident. The only blemish worthy of mention is a diminutive upper left corner chip that does not impede on the remarkable aesthetics emanating from the classic central image.

The verso includes the "ACME Newspictures credit stamp as well as the critical caption dated July 4, 1939 that reads as follows: "LOU GEHRIG HONORED AT YANKEE STADIUM – NEW YORK CITY – IRON MAN LOU GEHRIG, FIRST BASEMAN FOR THE YANKEES WHOM SICKNESS BENCHED, STANDS WITH HEAD BOWED, AS TEAR WELL INTO HIS EYES DURING THE CEREMONIES AT THE YANKEE STADIUM HERE, JULY 4TH HONORING LOU. 60,000 FANS AND MANY FAMOUS FIGURES OF BASEBALL WERE PRESENT FOR THE CEREMONIES. JOE MCCARTHY, YANKEE MANAGER, IS AT RIGHT – 7-4-39".

A truly unfathomable depiction of the Iron Horse on the renowned "Lou Gehrig Day", it personifies all of the emotions experienced by a grief-stricken nation at the mere thought of this "giant of a man" succumbing to the tragic ALS disease that would eventually claim his life some two years later. - Full PSA/DNA Type I LOA

MIN BID $500
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