An original Acme News photo of Lou Gehrig from the powerhouse season of 1927 is among the headliners as RMY Auctions kicks off its Fall Premier Auction.
The 6 ½” x 8 ½” photo still carries the original blue caption on the back from the July day it was produced and made available to newspapers across the country. It’s one of over 1,300 sports, news, entertainment and other images in the online catalog.
Dated with a file stamp from July of 1927, the silver gelatin image shows Gehrig completing a swing during batting practice. Except for some light creasing and pinholes in the right hand corners, the photo remains in good shape.
Gehrig was in just his second full season but would give notice that Babe Ruth was no longer the only star attraction in the Yankee lineup.
“It is not impossible that Lou may yet become a rival of Babe Ruth, when it comes to socking homers,” the caption writer opined.
Gehrig would indeed become a major star that season in helping the Yankees to what many still believe is their greatest campaign ever. He hit .373, belted 47 home runs and netted 175 RBI. He won an MVP award and along with Ruth, led the “Murderer’s Row” Yanks to 110 wins and a sweep of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the World Series.
The auction includes more than 20 photos featuring Gehrig.
Bidding continues through November 14 at RMYAuctions.com.
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