Lot # 175: Momentous 1919 “Black-Sox” Shoeless Joe Jackson PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Newspaper Enterprise Association (N.E.A.) Photo – Measures an Extraordinary 7” x 10” - PSA Type I LOA Also Included

Category: Photos

Starting Bid: $7,500.00

Bids: 14 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Winter Rarities '23 Auction",
which ran from 12/10/2022 12:00 PM to
1/7/2023 7:00 PM




(LOT 175)
Momentous 1919 "Black-Sox" Shoeless Joe Jackson PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Newspaper Enterprise Association (N.E.A.) Photo – Measures an Extraordinary 7" x 10" - PSA Type I LOA Also Included

Presented here is a magnificent "Shoeless" Joe Jackson 1919 photo taken by the illustrious Newspaper Enterprise Association (N.E.A.) during the year when Jackson would allegedly join forces with seven other "Black Sox" players to throw the 1919 World Series to the Cincinnati Reds. Its extraordinary stature is solidified by its ultra-rare 7" x 10" colossal size, with virtually all of the few known PSA Type 1 Jackson 1919 portrait images reflecting smaller dimensions (4" x 6"; 5" x 7"; etc.). This majestic image portrays the immortal Joe Jackson donning his classic Chicago White Sox uniform, still at the peak of his extraordinary career and wreaking havoc on American League hurlers. Famous for swinging his legendary "Black Betsy" bat that led to a myriad of scalding line drive safeties, this hallowed illustration was struck when Shoeless Joe's name was already etched in stone as one of baseball's three foremost players (along with Cobb and Wagner). One of our National Pastime's greatest all-time hitters, Jackson's stature carries as much weight in the hobby as any prestigious baseball subject. Long before the 1919 World Series travesty would shock the baseball world, Jackson's unparalleled legacy would begin prior to playing in his first Major League game with the Philadelphia A's in 1908.

While playing with the minor league Greenville club in the Carolina Association, Jackson developed painful blisters due to breaking in a new pair of spikes. The next game he played without shoes with only his black stockings covering his feet. During the game as he slid into third base after hitting a booming triple, a fan noticed he was not wearing spikes and shouted "you shoeless sonofagun!" A sportswriter picked up on this, printed it the next day, and the legend of "Shoeless" Joe was born. 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 short uneventful seasons in Philadelphia. After being called up from the minor leagues in 1910, Jackson finally displayed his unparalleled batting skills, batting a robust .387 the remainder of the season and topping that with a staggering .408 mark in 1911. Traded to the White Sox during the 1915 season, Jackson would continue his batting exploits for Chicago, posting a robust .351 during the renowned 1919 campaign when this photo was taken and ending his illustrious career with a remarkable .356 lifetime average (3rd highest figure behind Cobb & Hornsby). Sadly for Shoeless Joe, a significant portion of his legacy is tied to his banishment from baseball for allegedly taking part in throwing the 1919 World Series; yet due to the infamous "Black Sox" scandal his popularity has increased profoundly.

The 1919 White Sox claimed the American League Pennant via an 88-52 record, besting the Cleveland Indians by 3.5 games. They would move on to play the Cincinnati Reds in the Fall Classic, ultimately losing the best of nine Series five games to three. Regarding the alleged scandal, enthusiasts surely know that prompting some of the players to accept such a dishonest arrangement were the deep pockets of their incredibly cheap owner Charles Comiskey who actually initiated the "Black Sox" nickname in 1918 by continuously having his players wear dirty uniforms to avoid excessive laundry bills. The names of the infamous eight will echo for eternity, with Shoeless Joe obviously standing tall as the most significant player in the fix and this timeless 1919 image conjuring up vivid memories of a young boy yelling to "Shoeless" Joe Jackson as he walked out of a courtroom: "Say it ain't so Joe." No wonder this classic Joe Jackson portrait image is held in the highest esteem, with Jackson's stoic pose portraying crystal-clear clarity and magnificent contrast. Jackson's facial expression transcends time back to that fabled 1919 campaign, with his half-grin and piercing eyes the sheer essence and soul of this captivating image. Indeed, the remarkable candid facial expression steals the show, capturing the hearts of any passionate collectors who can literally search a lifetime for a Shoeless Joe 1919 oversized masterpiece such as this iconic offering. For full disclosure, there is a horizontal wrinkle that runs across the upper region, yet much to the delight of any photo enthusiast, it does not impede on the exalted Jackson pose.

No obtrusive surface flaws are evident, and the verso includes a critical OCT 29, 1919 ink stamp, a few negligible pencil notations, and the renowned N.E.A. credit stamp. Compelling to say the least, it transcends time some 104 years ago to the year that the infamous "Black-Sox Eight" would turn the baseball world upside down via their shameful avarice, including the immortal Joe Jackson. Although acquitted in a court of law, based on their alleged guilt, Judge Landis officially banned them from baseball forever on August 3, 1921, thus elevating the desirability and value of Jackson's exalted 1919 related keepsakes. To the best of our knowledge, there are roughly 60-70 known Type 1 Joe Jackson photos with less than a dozen of those solo Jackson images from the legendary 1919 campaign. Of those few known 1919 mementos, via its extremely rare oversized dimensions and mesmerizing pose, this momentous Shoeless Joe offering may truly reside as his most compelling example. The legacy of Shoeless Joe goes far beyond his amazing statistical achievements, with this incredible superstar literally establishing himself as a cult hero among his ardent followers. It's no secret that the most coveted images of our National Pastime's greatest players are achieving record setting prices every day, with a 1913 Joe Jackson Conlon photo fetching $106k in a 2021 Memory Lane auction, the first Jackson photo to surpass the six-figure mark. That said, we will defer to you, the sophisticated collector, to ultimately determine this unparalleled 1919 memento's true worth. While we would certainly not expect the most passionate hobbyist to clear their property to build a "Field of Dreams", if you bid strong, this revered Joe Jackson 1919 Type 1 marvel will surely come directly into the heart of your collection! - Also Includes Full PSA Type 1 LOA

MIN BID $7,500
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