For those who have a penchant for the past and a love for the flash of a camera, RMY Auctions has dusted off some fascinating gems for their May auction event. An impressive selection of over 900 historical photographs, each telling a quiet tale of sports and entertainment history, is up for bidding. The standout pieces take us all the way back to 1948, featuring baseball legends who walked the talk — Satchel Paige and Bob Feller.
In an unassuming 7 x 8 ¾” black and white photograph, we find Paige and Feller captured in time. But this isn’t just any picture on the wall. It’s the image that came to life in Paige’s most valuable rookie card, produced by Leaf in 1949. It also symbolizes Paige’s groundbreaking movement from the Negro Leagues to Major League Baseball with Cleveland.
Paige and his time with Kansas City Monarchs are further commemorated in a rare Type I original photograph, adding a unique element to the auction. The offering spans a century’s worth of sports, entertainment, and news photography, with rare artifacts seeing daylight and dazzling the public for the first time.
Immerse yourself further into history with a 1910 silver gelatin image showcasing a 23-year-old Jim Thorpe displaying his athletic prowess. Masterfully captured by George Grantham Bain, this image adds historical depth to the collection.
More enchanting lots include a 1905 PC782 Rotograph real photo postcard of another baseball great, Jack Chesbro. There is also a remarkable image of Carl Hubbell, taken in 1934, spanning back to the time when it was used for his 1933-36 Diamond Stars baseball card.
Golfers would relish the opportunity to lay their hands on photos capturing Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig—ageless titans of the game. Candid moments such as Ruth’s introduction to the Yankees in 1920 and the heart-stopping heights of the 1928 World Series have been beautifully captured.
Collectors donning a modern taste may gravitate towards the 1972 photograph of Roberto Clemente striking his 3000th career hit or the historic piece featuring Wilt Chamberlain basking in triumph after scoring his record-breaking 100th point in a single game. Michael Jordan’s stage-light shots snapped during his prime by Chicago area photographers make a hitting entry into this fabulous anthology of pictures.
Finally, quirk finds its place in a photograph of Joe DiMaggio navigating the Yankees clubhouse, and, curiously, Ted Williams astride a zebra. Picturesque, humorous, and evocative, these images construct a panoramic tableau of the 20th century, making it a treasure trove for collectors and photography enthusiasts. These images that traverse through moments of history, capturing the essence of the past, are now up for grabs with the final day for bidding falling on May 11.
The exhibit is now open, and collectors are flocking. So, grab your chance to possess a piece of history before it fades back into RMY’s treasure chests.
