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Lot # 257: 1951 Willie Mays, "20 Year Giants Rookie Gets the Call-Up" Early Photo

Starting Bid: $25.00

Bids: 43 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "March Collectors Auction 2020",
which ran from 3/16/2020 4:45 PM to
3/28/2020 8:00 PM



Incredible c. 1951 photograph of young rookie Willie Mays in uniform and posing at the ballpark. While we have been unable to pinpoint the exact date of the photo, it is very early in Mays' career, but it was used by the Seattle Post Intelligencer as THEIR 1951 photo of Mays and appeared in several publications as such. Easily one of the top early career images of Mays we have ever handled, stamped on the back by the International News (early 1950's stamp) and in nice shape with a staple hole on the lower left being the only flaw. It is also important to note that the Giants did not wear the sleeve patch until the regular season started in 1951 and this image appears to have been taken at spring training meaning it could be a photo of Mays before he ever played a game in the major leagues! NOTE; We have seen an example of this photograph now with an early 1955 date stamp on the back. While this is still an early example that pre-dates regular season 1955, it should be kept in mind that dating on this image is not absolute and more research is needed and it is likely dates somewhere in the 1952-1954 range and is likely not a 1951 image.

Size: 7x9
Designation: Vintage 1
Condition: 2.5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall Grade: 7.5/10

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