(LOT 19)
1923 Lou Gehrig "Hard-Hitting Columbia Twirler" News Service Photo- Type 1 with 1924 Columbia University Yearbook
Long before Lou Gehrig batted clean-up for the 1927 Yankees' Murderers' Row, won seven World Series titles, a Triple Crown and two AL MVP awards, he gained national notoriety as a high schooler playing for Commerce High School of New York at a championship game against Chicago's Lane Tech at Cubs Park, later renamed Wrigley Field. Already being heralded as the next best thing, Gehrig struggled at the plate with two walks, a groundout and a run scored until the ninth inning with Commerce leading 8-6. With the bases loaded and two outs, Gehrig annihilated the first pitch over the right field fence and out onto Sheffield Avenue. He was hailed as "Babe" Gehrig in the following day's newspaper and he had only just turned 17. Following his graduation from Commerce High, Lou continued his assault on ballfield confines at Columbia University. He is said to have hit a ball at Columbia's South Field that reportedly smashed a sundial outside of Hartley Hall some 450 ft. from home plate. And much like Ruth, Gehrig was a successful pitcher for the Columbia Lions, often dominating opposing lineups and posting multiple double-digit strikeouts. This rarely seen image features the mighty Lou Gehrig posing mid-wind-up, preparing to take the mound and donning his tattered Columbia flannels.

Still captioned "Columbia University Twirler – A Star on the Mound as well as at Bat" on the reverse, this Type 1 Pacific & Atlantic News Service Photograph remains in excellent condition. With reasonably clean surfaces for a 112-year-old photo, the borders are strong overall save for the bottom left corner missing, though it has since been professionally recreated, restored and fortified with adhesive restoration backing. The lower corner of the image is the only restored portion of this incredibly rare photo of the 20-year-old Gehrig preparing for his next pitching start with the Columbia Lions. There is also a nearly inconspicuous stray ink streak on his right leg. However, absolutely nothing can or does detract from the truly unique and seldom-seen Gehrig pitching image. (Please visit memorylaneinc.com for before and after images.) Coupled with this amazing photograph is an extraordinary leather-bound 1924 Columbian Yearbook – Volume 35 featuring the youthful Lou Gehrig highlighted as the Lions 1st Baseman on page 278. This exceptionally well-preserved yearbook is one of the finest in existence, showing very limited wear and no separation typically found along the binding for a 112-year-old album. Only minor wear is evident on the reverse as well as light paper toning. This would be Gehrig's final season with the Lions, as he signed with the Yankees in April of 1923 in order to assist his ailing parents.

MIN BID $2,000
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