Like a dynamic multi-frame chronicle of the 20th century, RMY Auctions unfurls an alluring panorama of intimately captured moments from the annals of sports, news, and entertainment. Anchored in the auctioneer’s May event is an intriguing medley of historical photographs, with quite a few stirring the waters of rarity and significance.
One of the standout relics that has baseball aficionados on the edge of their seats is a black-and-white shot from 1948 spotlighting luminary Satchel Paige and Bob Feller, fellow baseball stalwart. This image measuring a modest 7 x 8 ¾”, had quite the influential journey—it was the blueprint for Paige’s most prized rookie card manufactured by Leaf in 1949. This card symbolically celebrated Paige’s transition from the Negro Leagues’ obscurity into Major League Baseball’s spotlight, fortified by his alliance with the Cleveland team.
The auction extends its historical reach even further with a rare Type I original photograph of Paige in action for the Kansas City Monarchs. The image adds another layer to Paige’s baseball legacy, complementing the 1948 photograph and filling in more pieces of sports history.
Featuring a thick catalog of over 900 pictures, this auction’s banquet of visual delights journeys through an entire century. Many glorious snapshots, unveiled for the first time, echo off the walls of this substantial trove. A 1910 silver gelatin image of athlete Jim Thorpe, boasting only 23 years of age and photographed by George Grantham Bain, adds a vintage sheen to the bountiful spread.
Similarly, other lots worth laying eyes on include a pristine 1905 PC782 Rotograph real photo postcard of Jack Chesbro, and a 1934 photograph of Carl Hubbell, immortalized on his 1933-36 Diamond Stars baseball card. Adding more star-power, there’s an ensemble of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig photographs painting memorable times including Ruth’s maiden season with the Yankees in 1920 and a pulsating snippet from the 1928 World Series.
Venturing into more recent past, collectors will find a 1972 shot of Roberto Clemente celebrating his 3000th career hit, and a captivating click of Wilt Chamberlain post his record-shattering 100th point in a single game. And how can we forget the soaring moments from Michael Jordan’s prime NBA years, flawlessly captured by Chicago’s finest snappers?
The auction’s extravagant palette even has room for humor and whimsy – Joe DiMaggio calmly poised in the Yankees clubhouse, and Ted Williams saddling a zebra, offering a delightful deviation from the norm. The vast and varied collection provides a comprehensive lens into the last century, stirring interest amongst collectors, photographers, and lovers of history. Mark May 11 on your calendars, people, for that’s when bidding for these historical gems concludes.
