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Lot # 6: 1931 Al Capone, "Iconic Gangster at Chicago Cubs Game" Famous Photo with Gabby Hartnett

Starting Bid: $25.00

Bids: 58 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Holiday Collectors Auction 2022",
which ran from 12/2/2022 8:00 PM to
12/17/2022 8:00 PM



Al Capone was a marked man and he knew it. While he would go out in public and flaunt his wealth and style, he did it on his own terms when the environment and security could be controlled. He loved baseball and so did his young son, so when he appeared in public in a very open environment to take in a Cubs and White Sox charity game at Comiskey Park in 1931, it was a HUGE deal. His friend, Gabby Hartnett, came over to spend some time with the gangster and signed a ball for his son (sitting next to Capone). An incredible image that has gone down in history as one of the most important photographs of the era (for both sports fans and those that collect Capone images), this is one of only about ten original examples of this photo known to exist with this being the best one out there! Condition is nice with just a hint of wear at the corners (we were tempted to grade this a 10/10 but opted to be conservative) and the quality is off the charts. The reverse has an obscured stamp from Underwood (Bettman archives stickers cover it) and a vintage paper caption as well describing the action. An important piece of photography being offered here for the first time ever from the Underwood and Underwood archive. We have handled five distinct examples of this photograph over the lat twenty years and this is the finest we know of in the hobby!

Size: 6.5x8.5
Designation: Vintage 1
Condition: 4.5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall Grade: 9.5/10

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