Years before the Blue Jays flew into town, the Toronto Maple Leafs were the only show in town, as far as baseball was concerned. Not to be confused with the professional hockey team of the same name, these Maple Leafs were a Minor League Baseball team, one of the first which stressed an importance on promotion and entertainment. This dozen photo lot comes from the dwindling years of the Leafs' Canadian diamond occupation.
Backed by (pictured) owner Jack Kent Cooke -- who went on to own the L.A. Kings, L.A. Lakers and Washington Redskins -- the long-tenured semi-professional team station an array of fundraisers, banquet meals, celebrity appearances, and additional (much more whimsical) means of getting people through the turnstyles. Also, the team found a way to claim three league titles during Cooke's ownership period. In addition to Cooke, the 1965 and 1966 teams are shown, former big league All-Star-turn-manager Luke Sewell makes an appearance, as well as pictures from promotions.
Measurements range between 4.5" x 8" and 8" x 10" in size. First generation photo, with the following notations on reverse: The Sporting News hologram, photographer stamps, affixed cutlines, editor's markings, 1951-66. (00715)
Designated as a Type 1 photo, this image was developed directly from the original photographers negative within approximately two years of the depicted person/event. Photographers included in the collection include Charles Conlon, George Burke, George Brace, William C. Greene, Alex P. Silverberg, and George Dorrill. Some are identified; many are not but were provided by these world class photographers. Unlike standard wire photos, these images were often hand developed by the photographer and sent to the Sporting News magazine. Therefore, the result is an actual first generation Type 1 photographers print -again, not be confused with the more commonly found wire photo image. First major collection to enter the market of exclusive Type 1 Photo Prints.
News service photos are also included, and in those instances, are identified as such by their respective stampings. Acme Wire Photo, Associated Press, International News, and United Press have provided images to the archives. Reverse images are included for identification purposes. As part of the production process for the newspaper, images may show production notes, photographer's stamps, date codes, and other markings associated with the production of the Sporting News newspaper. In all cases, each selected image is of superior quality, subject matter, clarity, contrast and condition. Each image was archived by the Sporting News and includes the official Sporting News hologram, assuring its origin and provenance. Additional MEARS LOA included with each lot.
(MEARS Auction LOA~SB)