Measures 8" x 10". This incredibly rare photograph depicts the 1967 Birmingham Athletics as a team and is the earliest known team photo with future Hall of Fame right fielder Reggie Jackson. Especially rare considering the entire archives of "The Sporting News" Reggie Jackson file was purchased by one advanced Jackson collector. This jersey was hidden among the Birmingham Athletics subject folder, and to our knowledge, the only known image of Jackson depicted with the Birmingham team, and in our opinion, the earliest professional photo of Reggie Jackson.
At 21 years of age, Jackson was one of the team leaders on his Athletics team with a batting average of .293. His consistency at the plate helped the Birmingham ball club to an 84-55 record, good for first place in the Southern League. The star right fielder also led the team in home runs and stolen bases with 17 a piece.
Another notable Birmingham Athletic is Rollie Fingers. The pre-mustachioed hurler is depicted in middle of the second row (#26). He and Reggie were teammates on the Modesto Reds where they honed their skills before moving to the Athletics in 1967. Though Jackson would move up to the big-league during the 1967 season, Fingers wouldn't get the call for another year (he would move up to the Oakland Athletics at the end of the 1968 season but saw 1.1 innings of action).
On the Reverse: Affixed newspaper clipping, editor's markings, dated stamp, Sporting News Collection hologram. (A0843)
This image originated directly from the archives of "The Sporting News" and was intended for use in its pages. Designated as a first generation photo (Type A), this image was developed directly from the original photographers negative within approximately one to five years of the depicted person/event. In some instances, usually when a date stamp is present, the photograph was developed within a year or even days of the listed 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 sent to the Sporting News magazine. Therefore, the result is an actual first generation photographers print -again, not be confused with the more commonly found wire photo image. First major collection to enter the market of exclusive Generation 1 Photos.
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)