Tremendous Type I photo of the NBA's first superstar, George Mikan, which was used for his 1948 Bowman rookie card. While the card itself is highly prized and extremely rare in high grade, this image is the very one used for that card and other Mikan issues. The 8x10" black and white image shows the bespectacled 6'10" pivot with an intense grimace creasing his face as he dribbles up court. Not surprisingly, Mikan's image is clear and crisp but the background is quite dark; as such, the image on the card has been infilled with a blue background. This photo has the added bonus of a circa 1940s-50s autograph in blue steel-tip fountain ink across his shorts. A few light wrinkles are noticed on the photo, which remains very well preserved; back is blank. Encapsulated by PSA as both Type I Authentic as well as the signature, and also accompanying is a JSA LOA for the autograph. A wonderful rarity featuring the sport's first true big man, who led the Minneapolis Lakers to five championships and is widely credited with boosting the NBA's popularity in its infancy.