This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2010
An 8" x 10" Type 1 First Generation posed photo of the slugger Johnny Mize, who clubbed 359 home runs during his Hall of Fame career. That may not seem like many dingers in today's game, but Mize also missed three seasons to World War II. The photo contains a minimal amount of crazing, and virtually no edge wear, with Mize's image crystal clear. The photo is so sharp, that the viewer can read the H&B imprint on the knob, which reads "H 11 7." The bat looks like an immense club, and research suggest Mize often used the heaviest bat of his era, sometimes as heavy as 38 ounces. The photo is also signed boldly in black ink, "To Billy Best Wishes Johnny Mize." The verso also has the signature "Johnny Mize" in blue ink in the same script as the obverse signature. While the photo has been authenticated by PSA/DNA as original, the signatures have not been authenticated, but we do believe they are real. An amazing Type 1 photo of one of the best sluggers of his era.