The 1961 season started out like it might be a let-down. Expansion and coming off the most dramatic World Series in history seemed to point to a drab summer. Nobody could have dreamed of the excitement that lay ahead fueled by the most captivating home run chase in baseball history. Roger Maris and Mickey Mantle would go toe to toe trading blasts from April until September and the world was helplessly addicted to their every move as they chased the biggest name in history, Babe Ruth. Photographers descended on the "M&M Boys" like moths to a flame and despite thousands of images being snapped, very few were given the privilege of having the dynamic duo pose for them on the field. The offered FULL COLOR transparency captures Maris in his left handed stance and Mantle from the right side presenting the "double threat" of the Yankees lineup. With the façade of Yankee Stadium providing the perfect backdrop, this is without a doubt one of the greatest images of the two sluggers from their iconic 1961 season that exists and represents an exciting find as it is being offered here for the first time ever. The transparency is a vintage original dating the year it was taken (1961) and comes with the original newspaper article (dated August 1961) that the piece was used to create in the newspaper. With actual color photography in its infant stages, transparencies like this were the only way a full color image could be produced in newspapers and magazines. Credit on the caption says this was an Associated Press color photo and it comes with the original sleeve as well. Condition and quality make this a perfect 10/10!

Size: 4x5
Designation: Negative
Condition: /5
Quality: /5
Overall Grade: /10