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Lot # 1339: Superb 1926 Red Grange Original Photograph (PSA Type I)

Starting Bid: $200.00

Bids: 16 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2024 Summer Classic",
which ran from 6/9/2024 12:00 PM to
6/29/2024 10:00 PM



Displayed is a terrific circa 1926 Type I photo of Harold Edward "Red" Grange, the Galloping Ghost halfback most remembered for his play at the University of Illinois and with the NFL's Chicago Bears. Grange was a college sensation. In 1924, he was the first player to be a unanimous selection as an All-American. His play in 1925 against the University of Pennsylvania was so sensational in a 24-2 Illinois victory that famed writer Damon Runyon wrote in his syndicated column: "This man Red Grange of Illinois is three or four men and a horse rolled into one for football purposes. He is Jack Dempsey, Babe Ruth, Al Jolson, Paavo Nurmi, and Man o' War." Grange signed with the NFL's Chicago Bears immediately after college and went on a grand national tour, generating much-needed gate receipts and publicity for the struggling NFL. Grange played nine seasons of pro football, mostly with the Chicago Bears, with two seasons as a player and part owner with football's New York Yankees, one year in a league called the American Football League (with no connection to a later formed league of that name), and one season when the New York Yankees were absorbed into the NFL. The offered black & white photo measures 6.5x8.5". It depicts a very youthful Grange near the end of his college football career at Illinois. The back of the Original News Service Photo reads, in part, "(SLUG) FOOTBALL/HALL OF FAME FOR GRANGE'S SHIRT./The University of Illinois does not propose that any other player shall ever use the same number "77" that Red Grange made famous for that institution and have arranged so that when he retires after next Saturday's game his shirt will be given a permanent place among the trophies of that great institution...." A second slug line reads, "Here is a new photograph of Red Grange showing his wonderful smile." It appears that the second slug line refers to the offered photo, depicting a smiling Grange and one of the finest Grange photos we have handled. The Underwood & Underwood photo has been encapsulated and PSA Certified as TYPE I AUTHENTIC. The back of the photo shows three hand-stamped dates: DEC 16 1925; JAN 3 1926; JAN 4 1926. The photo exhibits some slight darkening from the passage of nearly a century, and some pinholes in the corners from when it must have been displayed, but overall, the photo is in fine condition.

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