An historic photograph of baseball legends Satchel Paige and Bob Feller, used to create Paige's highly valued 1949 rookie card, is currently up for auction. This notable 7 x 8 ¾” black and white photo from 1948 is a key highlight in RMY Auctions' May catalog.
The photo captures Paige during a transformative period when he joined the Cleveland team, where he and Feller contributed to a World Series victory. The image was later cropped by Leaf to produce Paige’s first baseball card for a series that saw limited distribution, making it a rare collector's item today. The photo's reverse side shows marks from its historical use in a newspaper.
Additionally, the auction features a Type I original photo of Paige batting for the Kansas City Monarchs. Overall, the auction includes over 900 items spanning sports, news, and entertainment, covering the entire 20th century. Noteworthy among these is a 1910 silver gelatin photo of a young Jim Thorpe in his Carlisle Indians football uniform, taken by famed photographer George Grantham Bain.
Other significant lots include a 1905 real photo postcard of Jack Chesbro of the New York Highlanders and a 1934 photo of Carl Hubbell, which became the basis for his 1933-36 Diamond Stars baseball card. The auction also offers rare images of Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig, including a shot from Ruth’s first season with the Yankees in 1920 and a dramatic aerial photo capturing Ruth's home run in the 1928 World Series.
Memorabilia enthusiasts will find a 1972 photo of Roberto Clemente preparing to throw his 3000th hit into the dugout for preservation, and basketball fans can relish in a historical photo of Wilt Chamberlain scoring his 100th point in a game against the New York Knicks. The catalog also includes vibrant photos from Michael Jordan’s NBA career and unique captures such as Joe DiMaggio smoking in the Yankees clubhouse and even Ted Williams riding a zebra.
This diverse and rich collection reflects significant moments across sports and entertainment history, appealing to a wide range of collectors. The auction, which began recently, will conclude with final bids due on May 11.