Lot # 1745: 1942 “Pride of the Yankees” On-Set Photograph of Babe Ruth and Gary Cooper – Type 1 Original Hal McAlpin Photograph PSA/DNA Encapsulated

Category: Photos

Starting Bid: $300.00

Bids: 8 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Fall Rarities Auction 2021",
which ran from 9/25/2021 12:00 PM to
10/9/2021 7:00 PM




(LOT 1745)
1942 "Pride of the Yankees" On-Set Photograph of Babe Ruth and Gary Cooper Type 1 Original Hal McAlpin Photograph PSA/DNA Encapsulated

In 1941, director Sam Wood approached RKO Pictures head, Samuel Goldwyn, with a biopic of Lou Gehrig, memorializing fallen Yankees 1st baseman taken by the debilitating ALS disease in 1939, the affliction that would eventually bear his name. Despite little interest in the project, Goldwyn relented after seeing Gehrig's historic and heart-wrenching speech at Yankees Stadium. Also showing reluctance to take the role was Gary Cooper who had no interest in baseball and due to his age (41). But Wood considered only Cooper to portray Gehrig due to his striking resemblance to the Iron Horse. And to enhance the authenticity of the film, Wood cast a number of Gehrig's previous teammates, many of whom were retired, including Babe Ruth who had hung up his cleats in 1935.

Enjoying retirement, Ruth gained a few pounds thus requiring the Bambino to shed a few to get back into believable playing weight for filming. "Pride of the Yankees" was a box-office success as the 7th highest grossing motion picture in 1942. Offered is an on-set Type I original photograph from photographer Hal McAlpin of the reluctant Cooper and a trimmed down Ruth observing a Babe Ruth model bat. Encapsulated by PSA, this 7-1/2" x 9-3/4" photo shows few defects save for a tiny crease in the bottom right corner. The back shows slight toning and insignificant watermarks beside the "First Interstate Bank Athletic Foundation" and photographer's stamps. Negligible notations are also present. It has been speculated that this photo was used by H&B for a bat promotion. PSA LOA included.

MIN BID $300
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