19031

1939 Lou Gehrig Signed Large Wire Photograph PSA 1939 Lou Gehrig Signed Large Wire Photograph.

Currency:USD Category:Sports - Cards & Fan Shop / Sports - Autographs (Original) Start Price:5,500.00 USD Estimated At:5,000.00 - 7,500.00 USD
1939 Lou Gehrig Signed Large Wire Photograph PSA 1939 Lou Gehrig Signed Large Wire Photograph.
<B>1939 Lou Gehrig Signed Large Wire Photograph.</B></I> This was one of our favorite images of the Iron Horse long before we ever encountered this unimaginably rare and important signed oversized print. His career ended by a fatal diagnosis of arterial lateral sclerosis, the brave team captain watches from the dugout steps as his young teammates carry on the pinstriped tradition of excellence without him. A cryptic, Mona Lisa smile suggests the same mixture of sadness and pride that led him to tearfully claim the status of "luckiest man on the face of the earth." It's such a brilliantly evocative image, and offered here in such razor-sharp contrast that there can be no question as to its first generation status. Of course, the strong (8/10) black ink signature that slants across Gehrig's chest is further proof of this fact, as the tragic hero's autograph dating from this season and beyond practically fails to exist. In fact, we have encountered only a single other example of this image signed, and we don't suspect that another will surface anytime soon. While a certain degree of scattered wrinkles and spotting must be noted, these factors do not materially affect the remarkable display value of the piece. Along with the "Associated Press" stamping on the verso is the word "Walsh" penned in vintage ink, suggesting the possibility that this may have once belonged to famed sports agent Christy Walsh. While the physical dimensions of this photograph are 9.5x15", it can justifiably be claimed that the importance and appeal are quite simply immeasurable. <I>LOA from PSA/DNA.</B></I>