Auction Item Details
Lot 119
LOADING IMAGES
Lot Number: 119
Description: Important 1908 Philadelphia Athletics team photograph with "Shoeless" Joe Jackson. 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 1908 Philadelphia Athletics team posed in full uniform at Shibe Park. Players include Frank Baker, Eddie Collins, Eddie Plank, Chief Bender, Connie Mack (mgr.), and a twenty year old rookie Joe Jackson. Image quality is absolutely flawless retaining its original contrast and clarity with literally no surface wear. Blank back is equally clean. The photo is one of only two original surviving exemplars known, and is without question the superior condition image by two to three grades. Additionally, this exact image was reproduced in the back of the Phila. Athletics program for the first game played at Shibe Park in 1909. Its immense scarcity is almost certainly due to the fact that Jackson's tenure with the 1908 team was very brief, playing in only five games. Fresh example from the collection of Philadelphia Athletics player Amos Strunk ranks as one of the most desirable 20th century baseball team related images: NM
Estimated Price: ($7,500.00-$10,000.00)
Sold for Price: Login or Register
