Auction Item Details
Lot 106
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Lot Number: 106
Description: UPDATED DESCRIPTION: Significant Philadelphia Athletics team photograph with "Shoeless" Joe Jackson c.1908-09. Joe Jackson began his baseball career in 1900 at the tender age of 13 with the Brandon Mill baseball team in his South Carolina hometown. From an early age it was evident that Jackson was truly something special. Even the rural sandlot fields of South Carolina could not mask Jackson's raw talent and eventually the rest of the baseball world began to take notice. In 1908, Connie Mack and the Philadelphia Athletics purchased Jackson's contract from the Greenville Spinners of the Carolina Association for $325. Jackson had recently married and was reluctant to leave the comforts of his Southern hometown for the bustling Northeastern city of Philadelphia. Generally unhappy while in Philadelphia for portions of both the 1908 and 1909 seasons, Jackson had some trouble adjusting to life with the Athletics. In fact, on several occasions Connie Mack had to literally chase Jackson down after he fled the team. Consequently, he spent a portion of that time in the minor leagues. Jackson played most of the 1909 season with the South Atlantic League team in Savannah, Georgia for which he batted an astounding .358. It was clear that Jackson was simply not content with Philadelphia, and manager Mack was equally frustrated even though he clearly recognized the talent that Jackson possessed. Although Connie Mack was certainly one of the finest tacticians that the game has ever seen, he made a grave misjudgment in Jackson's case. After the 1909 season, Jackson was traded to the Cleveland Naps for Bris Lord and the rest is history. The offered original image pictures the Philadelphia Athletics team posed in full uniform either at Shibe Park or possibly a spring training stadium in the south. Players include Frank Baker, Eddie Collins, Eddie Plank, Chief Bender, Connie Mack (mgr.), and a twenty year old rookie Joe Jackson. BASED ON JACKSON'S LIMITED TENURE WITH THE CLUB (5 GAMES EACH FOR 1908 AND 1909) ALONG WITH THE PRESENCE OF IRA THOMAS THIS IMAGE COULD HAVE BEEN TAKEN BETWEEN DECEMBER OF 1908 AND MARCH 1909. Photo presents in fine overall condition with mentionable wear to the verso (a small strip of cloth tape remains affixed at upper back which also has a small pencil notation in one lower corner). Front is equal in condition to the finest known example; one of only 3 known examples. One of only a handful of images showing Jackson as a member of the Athletics on the cusp of his legendary, and now infamous, career: EX/MTEstimated Price Range: ($15,000-$25,000)
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