Have you ever wanted to browse through pages of a history book that captures not just facts but the emotions, personalities, and moments that make it alive? Freedom, victory, defeat, jubilation — RMY Auctions’ May offering is presenting just that, but in the form of photographs.
The auction has thrown open the doors to an iconic time capsule, containing a collection that brims with the power and personality of the vintage times. Among these gems, there is a black-and-white photograph from 1948 that stands out. It showcases baseball legends, Satchel Paige and Bob Feller. This 7×8 ¾” image is more significant than just a beautiful portrait. It was used to design Paige’s priceless rookie card by Leaf in 1949, after his monumental transition from the Negro Leagues to Major League Baseball with Cleveland.
In the same vein, the auction is also set to feature a rare Type I original picture of Paige strutting his stuff for the Kansas City Monarchs. The collection doesn’t end there. It unravels further to reveal over 900 items, which translate to a century’s worth of sports, news, and entertainment photography. Much of it being unveiled to the public for the first time. A special addition is the 1910 silver gelatin image of a 23-year-old Jim Thorpe, taken by George Grantham Bain, bringing a poignant touch to the lot.
There are other treasures to be found too, like a spectacular, never-before-seen 1905 PC782 Rotograph real photo postcard of Jack Chesbro, a star of the baseball world in the early 20th century, along with a 1934 snapshot of Carl Hubbell. This particular picture of Hubbell was used for his 1933-36 Diamond Stars baseball card. The collection continues to impress with several pictures of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, encapsulating memorable moments like Ruth’s first season with the Yankees in 1920 and an intense scene from the 1928 World Series.
Diving into more recent history, the auction features a 1972 photo of Roberto Clemente as he makes his 3,000th career hit and also captures the unforgettable moment following Wilt Chamberlain’s record-breaking 100th point in a single game. Further adding color and depth are stunning photographs from Michael Jordan’s prime NBA years, courtesy of top Chicago-area photographers.
To mix things up, the collection also has unique and whimsical items that display the lighter sides of these icons. A photograph of Joe DiMaggio in the Yankees clubhouse and Ted Williams riding a zebra inject quirk into the lot, reflecting that historical records can be fun and eclectic too. The amalgamation of these diverse and rich photographs provides a panoramic view of the 20th century, casting a spell on collectors of historical memorabilia and photography enthusiasts.
The auction is already drawing bidders like bees to nectar, lining up to secure a piece of history. Saddle up, folks! The final bell for bidding tolls on May 11. This is an opportunity to own a slice of the past and enjoy a vivid, pictorial journey through history. Don’t miss this veritable feast of century-spanning memorabilia, cleverly frozen in time by the power of photography.
