Lot # 2484: Circa 1950s Gil Hodges Original Bill Jacobellis Contact-Proof Photograph Beckett Type I - Image Used for 1952 Bowman Card!

Original contract-proof photo of Hall of Fame first baseman Gil Hodges used in the production of Hodges' 1952 Bowman baseball card, by William Jacobellis. Encapsulated and certified as an original Type I photograph by Beckett. The photo captures Hodges as member of the Brooklyn Dodgers in a batting pose. Contact proofs such as this have always been highly prized by collectors because of their exceptional clarity and contrast. Jacobellis produced these specialized photos because both Topps and Bowman used many of his images in the production of their baseball cards during the 1950s. This is one of only a small number of vintage photos we have seen featuring a player image attributed to the 1952 Bowman set. The offered photo features Jacobellis’ credit stamp on the reverse, as well as Hodges' name written twice. The photo (4 x 5 inches) is in Very Good to Excellent condition overall.