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Lot # 88: 1918 Grover Cleveland Alexander, "Shows Douglas Fairbanks How to Pitch" WWI Photo

Starting Bid: $25.00

Bids: 8 (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



1918 Photograph of Grover Cleveland Alexander, recently sold/traded to the Chicago Cubs from the Phillies, as he spent spring training in California hobnobbing with celebrities and enjoying the weather. Here Alexander shows his pitching grip to silver screen icon Douglas Fairbanks, while fellow baseball star, recently called up for service in WWI (Howard Ehmke), looks on. The photo has tremendous social and political overtones as Alexander had been dealt by his previous owner, William Baker, in an attempt to cash in on the suspect that Alexander might be killed when he was drafted, or at least miss considerable time due to WWI. He was right in one regard, Alexander would be drafted and see intense combat duty, never again achieving the success he had in Philadelphia as a result. A bold image with a long handwritten note on the back and date. The photo comes with intense research from historian Bob Warrington that is as comprehensive as any we have ever seen and will accompany the photograph to the new owner. Despite some chipping on the left border, the image presents well.

Size: 8x10
Designation: Vintage 1
Condition: 2/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall Grade: 7/10

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