This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/12/2019
Ulric Dunbar (1862-1927) was a nationally renowned sculptor famous for marble busts of political figures, including the bust of Vice President Martin Van Buren on display in the Senate Chamber gallery. But Dunbar's greatest achievement, certainly in the eyes of baseball historians, is this 19" plaster statue of the legendary Walter Johnson. Both icons in their respective fields, Johnson and Dunbar met at the conclusion of the 1924 season to create the sculpture. Commissioned to create 50 statues for retail sale in 1924, only 5 are known to exist today, one of which resides in the Baseball Hall of Fame. The piece bares a striking resemblance to "The Big Train," a testimonial to Dunbar's unique skill, and is accompanied by a type I original photo of Dunbar and Johnson together in preparation for the artist's creation, a photo of Dunbar presented one of his finished products to President Calvin Coolidge, and a notarised letter that documents the provenance of the sculpture. Some minute and inconsequential chips (confined primarily to the legs and base) are visible in the brown glaze, with some scattered cracks that may represent repairs, but the overall aesthetics remain virtually as strong as when the piece was created nearly a century ago. The base houses a facsimile signature of Johnson to the right of his right foot, along with Dunbar's mark in front of Johnson's left foot. One of the rarest of all Walter Johnson collectables and perhaps the most important piece of baseball related artwork ever produced!