An oversized photo of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig captured by noted baseball photographer Louis Van Oeyen prior to the 1927 World Series sold for $90,768 in Hunt Auctions’ Premier Live Auction Wednesday afternoon. The price easily surpassed the pre-sale estimate of $25,000=$50,000.
The 11×14″ image of the Yankees duo, relaxing on the edge of the batting cage at Forbes Field is considered one of Van Oeyen’s top baseball photographs. The reverse of the photo bears the period stamping, “Photo by L. Van Oeyen Cleveland, O” along with a period fountain pen notation, “July 1927 L to R Lou Gehrig, Babe Ruth.”
Bidders also chased a 1951 rookie year photo of Willie Mays that is identical to what was used to create his 1952 Topps card. Sold for $34,662, it is the only confirmed Type I specimen of the image showing the young New York Giants outfielder during his first few months of big league service.
Card collectors honed in on the only copy of the 1889 N173 Old Judge Cabinet Billy Hamilton card on PSA’s Population Report. Graded 4, the oversized card of “Sliding Billy” sold for $15,275.
Other sales included:
- 1915 Cracker Jack Joe Jackson SGC 2 $14,100
- 1951 Bowman Willie Mays rookie card PSA 6 $12,925
- 1951 Bowman Mickey Mantle rookie card PSA 5 $12,435
- Vic Willis autographed business card $9,987
- 1933 Ned Hanlon letter $9,987
- 1911 Addie Joss Real Photo Postcard $7,050
Complete results can be found on the company’s website.
Hunt Auctions be donating a portion of the buyer’s premiums from this to the Direct Relief organization who are providing protective equipment to health authorities, non-profits, and businesses during the Coronavirus outbreak.
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