(LOT 125)
1939 Ted Williams Rookie Year Photo - Image Used for his 1959 Fleer #43 Baseball Card Subject (PSA 9 Example of this Card is also included in the Lot) – PSA Type I Encapsulated ACME Newspictures – Measures Approx. 7" x 9"
The start of the 1939 Campaign would see the Boston Red Sox call up to Spring Training their strapping 20-year old left-handed slugger Theodore Samuel Williams. The prior 1938 season, the star-leftfielder had literally "tore up" the Class "AA" League playing for the Minneapolis Millers, batting a sensational .366, walloping 43 round-trippers and posting an uncanny .703 slugging percentage! Indeed, no rookie was ever more ready to join their MLB squad, and the lanky 6'3" slugger was so impressive for the entire 1939 Spring Training tour, he left the BoSox with no other choice than to keep him on their opening day roster.

To say Williams didn't disappoint might be the biggest understatement of the century for "The Kid" posted one of the finest rookie years in baseball history including a .327 batting average, 31 homers, 145 runs batted in and an amazing 1.045 OPS! No doubt, the Splendid Splinter was here to stay and he would go on to play 19 MLB seasons, ultimately earning the title of "baseball's greatest all-time hitter". Since he was a little boy, Ted had dreamed about being our National Pastime's finest hitter, and this dream certainly became a reality. Add in the fact he was a heroic fighter pilot in two wars (WWII & Korean War) and it comes as little surprise that he will forever stand as one of our Nation's grandest heroes. Both young and old admirers worshiped him to the fullest, justifying why artifacts from his early playing days are highly coveted by the collecting community. One such keepsake is this extraordinary 7" x 9" PSA Type 1 fielding image issued during Spring Training 1939 at Sarasota, Florida.

The verso's March 16, 1939 violet stamp clearly indicates its 1939 Spring Training origin (as well as the ACME Newspictures credit stamp), and a small remnant from the torn caption reads 'SARASOTA". Most significantly, the critical obverse side reveals an awe-inspiring fielding pose of Ted Williams leaping in the air, glove outstretched, to snare either a batted or thrown baseball. Donning his Boston road flannels, Williams has leaped off the ground in an almost "Jordanesque" like manner, with both arms seemingly extended to their maximum limits. Portraying fine contrast and resolution, there are a few surface impressions, most notably underneath his right armpit and near all four corners. Yet, as most would agree, these modest blemishes as well as the lower right corner chip do not impede the breathtaking Ted Williams rookie photo.

As a final compliment to this museum worthy offering, it just happens to be the original image used for "The Thumper's" 1959 Fleer #43 Subject titled: "1951 – Leads Outfielders in Double Plays", with a sparkling PSA 9 example also included in this wonderful lot. The 1939 campaign was the year that the incomparable Ted Williams would begin his relentless march towards baseball immortality, embarking on a vocation that would eventually end with the Splendid Splinter's legacy cemented in stone as baseball's greatest hitter who ever graced a batter's box. That said, we cannot image a finer testament to William's iconic stature than an original PSA Type 1 1939 photo used for one of his popular 1959 Fleer cards, and an illustration that "turns back the clock" to the beginning of his unparalleled career! - PSA Type I Encapsulation


MIN BID $1,000
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