The 1927 New York Yankees are widely recognized as the greatest team in history. A year after a disappointing loss to St. Louis in the 1926 World Series, the Yankees came back with a vengeance. With a potent lineup dubbed "Murderer's Row", the vaunted Yankees outscored their opponents by nearly 400 runs and hit a staggering .307 as a team.
Babe Ruth's own record setting single season home run total of 60 was greater than that of any American League team. The Sultan of Swat had plenty of offensive support. Lou Gehrig's gaudy offensive numbers included a .373 batting average, 47 home runs and a league leading 175 RBI's. Ruth's outfield mates, Earle Combs and Bob Meusel, hit .356 and .337 respectively, while second year man Tony Lazzeri ranked third in the loop with 18 home runs. The equally imposing pitching staff boasted four men who won 18 or more games and the top 3 leaders in ERA league wide. With a 110-44 record, the Bronx Bombers ran away with the American League pennant, winning by 19 games. The World Series match-up against Pittsburgh was already a foregone conclusion.
This incredible artifact of New York Yankee history original originates from Mr. James Hanes who was the manager of the Hollywood Beach Hotel in Hollywood Florida in the late 1920's. It is believed that the owner of the New York Yankees stayed at the hotel sometime during the winter and/or during spring training. It is also believed that the owner of the New York Yankees, Jacob Ruppert, gave the autographed photo to Mr. Hanes as a token of their freindship and in appreciation for Mr. Hanes' hospitality during his stay. Subsequently, Mr. Hanes placed the photograph in a picture album along with several other photos of the hotel and Hollywood Florida area. Our consignor met Mr. Hanes in 1960 in Mount Dora Florida when visiting his grandmother, who spent her winters there in a home she owned. While in Mount Dora, our consignor earned money by chauffeuring local residents to and from local destinations and the airport in Orlando. Mr. Hanes heard of his part time occupation and contacted our consignor to inquire about his willingness to drive he and Mrs. Hanes on a two week trip up North to visit Mrs. Hanes' hometown of Balston Spa, New York and his hometown of Glen Falls, New York. Upon their return to Mount Dora, Mr. and Mrs. Hanes continued to use our consignor to drive them to and from local appointments, shopping, etc. over the next three years. On one occasion within those three years, Mrs. Hanes shared with our consignor the photo album that contained the photos of the hotel and surrounding Hollywood Florida area and amongst them was one of particular interest, a photo signed by the entire New York Yankees team. He was excited at seeing all the famous names that had been penned so beautifully, the likes of Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and many others. In 1965 just prior to her death, Mrs. Hanes, remembering how our consignor was struck by the photo, gave him the photo as a token of appreciation for all that he had done for her and her late husband over the past few years. Upon receiving this photo in 1965 it has remained in our consignors possession until its consignment to SCP.
This photograph, containing an astounding 47 signatures, is one of the most comprehensive signed items ever discovered from this dominant team. The list includes just about everyone that played for the New York Yankees in 1927 and many who did not make the squad but played for the team or other teams later in their careers.Those who made the roster or are otherwise recognizable include: Walter Beall, Benny Bengough, Pat Collins, Earle Combs, Joe Dugan, Cedric Durst, Mike Gazella, Lou Gehrig, Joe Giard (The sine qua non of definitive 1927 signed items), Johnny Grabowski, Waite Hoyt, Miller Huggins (manager), Mark Koenig, Tony Lazzeri, Bob Meusel, Wilcy Moore, Ray Morehart, Ben Paschal, George Pipgras, Dutch Ruether, Babe Ruth, Bob Shawkey, Urban Shocker, Myles Thomas, Julian Wera, Arthur Fletcher (coach), George Davis (coach), Jacob Ruppert (owner), Ed Barrow (general manager), Eddie Bennett (famous hunchback bat boy), Doc A.A. Woods (team doctor) and Mark Roth (traveling secretary). Also signing the photograph were: Spence Adams, Hooks Wiltse, Hi Ferrell, Bach Williams, Don Flickinger, Virgil Davis, Roy Chesterfield, Paul Krichell, Johnny Nee, Eddie Phillips, Elias Funk, Thomas O'Leary, S.L. Connor, Henry Johnson and 1 unidentified signature. The 7 1/2" by 9 1/2" photo has been professionally framed and matted to a 16" by 19" size. The piece displays at a minimum of EX-MT condition with no creases, only corner wear. The signatures are neatly signed on parallel lines and has a full LOA from PSA/DNA graded MINT PSA 9.