Once again, RMY Auctions invites collectors and history enthusiasts alike to embark on a riveting journey through time, with their latest auction offering that casts a spotlight on iconic 20th-century moments, immortalized through photography.
Collector hearts are set to skip beats at the standout centrepiece of this collection, a prized black-and-white photograph dating back to 1948. This image, measuring 7 x 8 ¾ inches, has nothing less than baseball titans, Satchel Paige and Bob Feller, caught in a moment of sports history. Not merely a picture, this snapshot solidified Paige’s move from the lesser-known Negro Leagues to an acclaimed baseball career with Cleveland, forming the basis for his coveted rookie card by Leaf in 1949.
This remarkable collection goes beyond the baseball field, featuring over 900 photographic gems, each with a tale to tell. They spotlight a range of iconic incidents throughout sports, news, and entertainment history, over the span of a century, that are now stepping into the public eye. Like a sepia-toned trip down memory lane, a 1910 silver gelatin image portrays a young 23-year-old Jim Thorpe, captured by the lens of renowned photographer George Grantham Bain, painting a vivid picture of the past.
Die-hard baseball fans, be prepared to be awed by an exclusive 1905 PC782 Rotograph real photo postcard of early 20th-century baseball star, Jack Chesbro, and a 1934 photograph of Carl Hubbell that brought his 1933-36 Diamond Stars baseball card to life. If that was not enough, prepare to dive into the exploit-filled worlds of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, seen through photographic masterpieces from Ruth’s inaugural season with the Yankees in 1920, to an emotionally charged scene from the 1928 World Series.
This auction doesn’t leave modern memorabilia connoisseurs hanging. It brings vividly to life Roberto Clemente’s 3000th career hit in a 1972 photo, and the momentous moment when Wilt Chamberlain recorded his record-breaking 100th point in a single game. Evidently, the collection also pays tribute to the high-flying career of NBA legend Michael Jordan through vibrant shots captured by Chicago area photographers.
This expansive collection is not all solemn nostalgia and high-octane sports moments. Injecting piquant charm are delightful oddities, including Yankees’ Joe DiMaggio in a candid clubhouse moment, and an eccentric shot of Ted Williams enjoying a zebra ride, adding whimsy and color to this vibrant assembly of historic mementos.
With such an eclectic showcase of the bygone eras, this collection welcomes all who wish to glimpse those frozen moments of the 20th century in a most intimate way. The auction is in full swing and awaits your bid until they close their virtual doors on May 11.
