(LOT 108)
c.1912 Shoeless Joe Jackson PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Louis Van Oeyen Photo – Measures Approx. 7" x 9-3/4" – PSA Type 1 LOA
The legacy of "Shoeless" Joe Jackson stands as one of baseball's most enduring and fascinating stories, with this iconic player's exploits forever embedded in baseball folklore. After entering the Major Leagues with Connie Mack's Athletics in 1908, it was clear to Mack that Jackson was not going to flourish in a "big city" environment, eventually trading this "country bumpkin" to Cleveland after only 41 plate appearances in his two rather short and uneventful seasons in Philadelphia. After being called up from the minor leagues in 1910, Jackson finally unveiled his unparalleled batting skills, batting a robust .387 the remainder of the season.

It then all came together for "Shoeless" Joe from 1911 thru 1914, when the uncanny batsman posted consecutive sensational averages of .408, ,395, .373 and .338 respectively. This extraordinary Joe Jackson PSA Type 1 portrait photo just happened to be taken by renowned photographer Louis Van Oeyen during the 1912 campaign that saw the left-handed slugger post his amazing .395 batting average. Furthermore, the photo's imposing aura eventually led it to being reused several times in newspaper articles, including the front sports page of the August 21, 1915 Boston Herald after Jackson had been traded from Cleveland to Comiskey's Chicago White Sox for $25,000 and three players.

Jackson would finish the 1915 campaign with a .308 average, batting only a paltry .272 for Chicago from late August to the end of the season. However, 'Shoeless Joe" would quickly rebound with a stellar .341 mark in 1916, silencing the Chicago faithful who were questioning Jackson's batting skills after his dismal August/September 1915 performance. Of utmost significance is the legendary photographer Louis Van Oeyen who took this classic Jackson portrait pose during his second full season with the Indians. It is no secret among hobbyists that along with Horner, Conlon, Bain and Thompson, Louis Van Oeyen stands as one of the most celebrated pre-WW1 photographers, and we cannot imagine a better "dynamic duo" than a Oeyen/Joe Jackson Type 1 photo. The 7" x 9-3/4" image literally brings 'Shoeless Joe" to life as the immortal slugger provides the camera with a super candid smile.

Crystal clear clarity and superb contrast are the highlights for an image that only reveals some negligible wrinkles and surface scratches that do not impede the imposing central image. No obtrusive flaws are evident and the flipside depicts several scattered notations, the critical "L. VAN OEYEN oval credit stamp and a May 22, 1912 ink marking. As we all know, after being traded to Chicago, Jackson's career would tragically be cut short after the 1920 season due to his involvement in the "Black Sox" 1919 World Series scandal. Fortunately, his alleged role in that fiasco has increased his popularity profoundly amongst the hobby's most prolific collectors, with this c.1912 Van Oeyen Type 1 offering one of the few mementos in circulation from his early playing days in Cleveland!

MIN BID $1,000
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