This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/2/2017
The market for original, TYPE 1 photography is at an all-time high. Keeping with that trend, this image has it all: Content, Clarify, Contrast, Color, and Condition. Only 8 days after the mighty Yankees swept the Cardinals in the World Series, Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig headed west and ended up doing a promotional tour in Omaha, Nebraska. Many collectors have world class shots of Ruth at bat, Gehrig close-ups, and even the two together. But, I can promise, no advanced collection can boast having a barnstorming shot of Babe Ruth with Lou Gehrig holding a Chicken!
The event was captured via a local newspaper and recounted here. According to Omahamagazine.com,
“The field on Vinton Street was a center of excitement in 1927 when Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig came to town for an exhibition game that drew thousands of fans. Their team, the New York Yankees, was on a roll: They had just won the World Series. Gehrig was selected MVP in the American League. Ruth had hit a record 60 home runs that year.
Steve Hayes, chairman of Omaha Print, has the box scores from that 1927 game along with historical memorabilia from the Omaha Prints, the company’s team that played in the game.
On that unforgettable day in 1927, Lou Gehrig played for the Omaha Prints, competing with Babe Ruth, who played for the Brown Parks. Brown won 9-5.”
The picture depicts four men posing in front of several agricultural building with signs that read, “AMCO OPEN FORMULA FEEDS” and “AMERICAN MILLING COMPANY”. Standing left to right were, “E.L. Altrock, Lou Gehrig (holding chicken), Babe Ruth, and WA Robinson.” In a start contrast to their personalities, the ever camera friendly Ruth was upstaged by Gehrig as he held the live chicken for the photos prop. Gehrig is absent of a smile, put holds the chicken with a firm grip. Both men are wearing their NY team jackets and barnstorming uniforms.
A crowd of well dressed women wearing period flapper style dresses and hats look on. Printed on the bottom of the image is, “E.L. Altrock – Lou Gehrig - Babe Ruth – W.A. Robinson at American Milling Company Plant – Omaha – 10-16-27”. The image displays in near mint condition, with some minor wear to the corners and a larger crease in the bottom right hand corner.
The back bears the following stamp, “Dewell Commercial Photographer Phone JA 3322, 321 Arthur Bldg. Omaha”. The photo was then stamped, Dec 9, 1927 on the reverse upper right corner, which is most likely the date the photo appeared in a local newspaper.
The photo will be accompanied by a full PSA/DNA Type 1 letter of authenticity.