(LOT 123)
1942 Babe Ruth & Gary Cooper PSA Type l Encapsulated Hal McAlpin Photo – Measures Approx. 7-1/2" x 9-1/2"
Lou Gehrig's tragic ALS illness and ultimate passing will forever stand as one of our National Pastime's most monumental events, touching the hearts of millions of Americans. In lieu of his iconic "Luckiest Man on the Face of the Earth" speech delivered at Yankee Stadium on July 4, 1939, the "Iron Horse's" legacy is cemented in stone, with his untimely death on June 2, 1941 residing as a catastrophic event of epic proportions. It made perfect sense that this seemingly unparalleled story would eventually be told in a motion picture, and that is exactly what producer Samuel Goldwyn and director Sam Wood achieved when in 1942 they released the legendary movie "Pride of the Yankees". Choosing the renowned actor Gary Cooper to play the role of Henry Louis Gehrig and Theresa Wright as his lovely wide Eleanor, this blockbuster film captivated our Nation, serving as a steadfast reminder of Gehrig's unequivocal standing in the baseball community.

In extremely clever fashion, Goldwyn and Wood ultimately chose to use Babe Ruth himself to play the part of the incomparable 'Sultan of Swat", adding additional notoriety to this classic film. It is with distinct pleasure that we now offer one of the revered heirlooms from this legendary movie, a spectacular 7-1/2" x 9-1/2" PSA Type 1 photo portraying none other Babe Ruth showing Gary Cooper (Lou Gehrig) how to appropriately grip a baseball bat. Interestingly enough, the bat just happens to be a Ruth model bat, with the barrel clearly reflecting the George 'Babe" Ruth engraved facsimile signature. Donning the revered Yankee Pinstripes, the aesthetics of this world-class marvel are absolutely breathtaking, with near-perfect contrast and unimprovable crystal-clear clarity both combining too provide an almost "3-D" like aura for this timeless keepsake.

No obtrusive surface flaws are evident, the entire perimeter is razor sharp and the verso includes the critical HAL McALPIN credit stamp. Simply stated, these two "giants at their craft" left an indelible mark on their celebrated industries, with Cooper's 36-year acting career including leading roles in a remarkable 84 feature films, while capturing two "Best Actor" Academy Awards for Sergeant York (1942) and High Noon (1953). Regarding Ruth, he needs no formal introduction for his unequivocal stature as baseball's greatest all-time player places virtually all of his collectibles such as this magnificent Type 1 photo at an exalted plateau! – PSA Type 1 Encapsulation

MIN BID $500
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