1910-1957 M114 "Baseball Magazine" Posters 1923 New York Yankees with Lou Gehrig Rookie and Babe Ruth BGS FAIR 1.5

Presented is a scarce example of Lou Gehrig's earliest collectible appearance, and one that predates other issues by two years. This team photograph is from 1923, a season in which a young Lou Gehrig joined the Yankees for 13 games. Interestingly, it was also reused for the Universal Toy & Novelty issue in 1925, his true rookie year when he had 126 appearances for the Yankees. After its 1908 debut, Baseball Magazine began producing a long-running series of player posters printed on high-quality paper stock that were offered as premiums to readers. These premiums feature mostly action poses of baseball stars and were issued from the teens all the way through the 1950s. They measure approximately 9 x 12.25 inches. The sepia-toned premiums feature photos taken by legendary sports photographer Charles Conlon. In the lower margin of each premium is the team or player's name, copyright information, and promotion for the magazine. Graded FAIR 1.5 by BVG, the piece possesses outstanding display value but grades modestly overall due to light creasing and wear at the corners. A superb early piece from Lou Gehrig's illustrious career!