For New York Yankee fans and baseball history buffs—especially those who appreciate vintage photography during the “Roaring Twenties”—comes this amazing group of original wire photos. Stretching from 1922 to 1930, we have 20 different wire photos and a total of 23 black and white photographs, all of which originated from a family’s collection. There are 16 World Series photos and nine shots featuring either Babe Ruth or Lou Gehrig, including one from Ruth’s famous 3-HR game in the 1928 Fall Classic.
Most come in great condition overall for their age, ranging mostly VG to EX in our book with primarily corner and edge wear; a few contain a small tear or two on the perimeter that does nothing to take away from their sharp and clear picture quality. Many include dated captions with details of the moment captured. The backs of the wire photos are all stamped with their respective media/newspaper credentials. The International Newsreel wire photos have a separate “Received Examiner Reference Library” green stamp that is dated a few days after the shot was taken. We have organized them chronologically in protective sheets within a white binder. One of the finest wire photo collections to surface of late, it includes:
1) 3/11/1922 – Caption: “With the Giants at San Antonio. John McGraw, manager of the World Champs, showing a group of youngsters how to bunt at Giants Spring Training.” International Newsreel. 6.5” x 8.5”. VG-EX
2) 10/4/1922 – Caption: “First Game of the 1922 World Series. Babe Ruth strikes out his first time at bat.” Giants beat Yankees, 4-0-1. International Newsreel. 6.5” x 8.5”. EX
3) 10/10/1923 – Casey Stengel slides in safely at home plate for inside-the-park home run in top of 9th inning that proved to be game-winner for N.Y. Giants in their 5-4 win in Game 1 of World Series. Yanks beat Giants in six. International Newsreel. 8x10. EX
4) 2/27/1926 - Caption: “1925 World Series Team in Spring Practice.” Pirates players doing some drills at their conditioning grounds in Paso Robles, CA. International Newsreel. 8x10. VG
5) 1927 World Series – Ruth crosses home plate after hitting home run and shakes Gehrig’s hand. Yanks swept Pirates. International Newsreel. 8x10. VG-EX
6) 10/7/1927 – Caption: “Third Game World Series. Combs and Koenig of Yankees scoring on Gehrig’s triple, and Gehrig rounding third. He was caught trying to stretch the triple.” International Newsreel. 8x10. VG-EX
7) 10/5/1927 – Caption: “Babe Ruth crossing home plate for first run of series after scoring on Gehrig’s triple. Yanks won 5-4.” International Newsreel. 8x10. VG
8) 10/5/1928 – Caption: “Gehrig Homers in Second Game.” Ruth, who was on base, congratulates him. Yanks swept Cardinals. International Newsreel. 8x10. GD/VG
9) 10/9/1928 – Caption: “Babe Ruth crossing the plate on his second home run in the 7th inning.” He hit three solo homers in Game 4 to complete series sweep over Cards. International Newsreel. 8x10. EX-MT
10) 1928 World Series – Throw to first barely beats Cardinals’ Holm as Gehrig stretches. International Newsreel. 8x10. VG-EX
11) 2/28/1929 – Caption: “Gehrig out to better his former average.” Gehrig taking batting practice during Spring Training in St. Petersburg, FL. Associated Press. 8x10. VG-EX
12) 4/18/1929 – Caption: “Yanks Win Opener 7 to 3.” Ruth scores after Gehrig drives him home in 4th inning against Red Sox in front of 40,000 at Yankee Stadium. Associated Press. 8x10. EX
13) 10/11/1929 – Caption: “Rooftop provided swell view for third game of World Series.” Cubs beat Athletics, 3-1 at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park. A’s would win series in five games. International Newsreel. 8x10. EX-MT
14) 10/14/1929 – Caption: “Simmons scoring the winning run.” Al Simmons doubled and, after intentional walk to Foxx, came home with game-winning run on Miller single in bottom of 9th of series-clinching Game 5. International Newsreel. 8x10. EX
15) 10/14/1929 – Caption: “Teammates swarm around Simmons as he scores winning run.” Taken split second after previous photo. International Newsreel. 8x10. VG-EX
16) 10/1/1930 – Caption: “Opening Game World Series.” Sparky Adams of Cardinals in first at bat of series. Athletics won Game 1 at Shibe Park and won series in six games. International Newsreel. 8x10. VG-EX
17) 10/2/1930 – Caption: “Athletics Again Bear Cards, 6-1.” A’s 2B Max Bishop runs through first base bag after flying out. International Newsreel. 8x10. EX
18) 10/2/1930 – Caption: “World Series Fourth Game.” Cards OF Chuck Hafey slides home safely in 4th inning of St. Louis’ 3-1 home victory. Associated Press. 8x10. VG-EX
19) 10/2/1930 – Caption: “World Series Fourth Game.” Taken split second after previous photo. Associated Press. 8x10. EX-MT
20) 1930 World Series – Athletics player dives back to first as Cardinals’ Jim Bottomley applies tag. International Newsreel. 8x10. EX-MT
9/28/1922 – New York Giants coaching staff including John McGraw and three others. Looks like an original photo (not wire, but possibly Type 1) glued to paper backing with date on reverse. Photo is cut out from original size. Now measures approx. 6.25” x 8.5”. VG-EX.
This lot also comes with two 1916 Brooklyn Dodgers team photos that do not appear to be originals but could be 2nd, 3rd or 4th generation copies. One is 7.75” x 10.4” with “Brooklyn 1916” marked on back in pencil. Other is 7.4” by 9.6” with a blank back. Both are VG-EX/EX.