(LOT 272)
c.1912 "Shoeless Joe" Jackson Portrait Image - PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Louis Van Oeyen Photo – Measures Approx. 7-1/4" x 9-3/4"
VAN OEYEN TYPE 1 JACKSON!!!... "Shoeless Joe" Jackson's legacy stands as one of our National Pastime's most enduring and fascinating stories, with his remarkable 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 the Cleveland Naps after a paltry 41 plate appearances in his two uneventful seasons in Philadelphia. After being called up from the minor leagues in 1910, Jackson finally unveiled his unparalleled batting skills for the Cleveland faithful, batting a robust .387 the remainder of the season.

It then all came together for Shoeless Joe from 1911 through 1914, when this uncanny hitter posted consecutive 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 fans 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 Naps. It's no secret among hobbyists that along with Horner, Conlon, Bain and Thompson, the renowned Louis Van Oeyen stands as one of the most celebrated pre-WW1 photographers, and we cannot imagine a better dynamic duo than an "Oeyen-Jackson" Type 1 photo. The 7-1/4" x 9-3/4" headshot pose 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 illustration.

No obtrusive flaws are evident, and the edges reveal some typical manual trims often seen on pre-WW1 images. The final superlatives are the verso's critical "L. VAN OEYEN oval credit stamp and a May 22, 1912 ink marking dating the photo to Jackson's 1912 campaign. As we all know, after being traded to the Windy City, 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 $2,500
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