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Record-Breaking Sale: Shoeless Joe Jackson's Signed Photograph

Record-Breaking Sale: Shoeless Joe Jackson’s Signed Photograph

A remarkable piece of baseball history has recently made headlines as a photograph, purportedly signed by the legendary “Shoeless” Joe Jackson in 1911, was auctioned for an astonishing $1.47 million. This sale has set a new benchmark for autographed sports photographs.

The photograph, taken by Frank W. Smith, a photographer for the Cleveland Plain Dealer, was part of the “Extra Innings: A Private Collection of Important Baseball Memorabilia” auction, hosted by Christie’s and Hunt Auctions. The event concluded with this record-breaking sale.

In the image, Jackson, then in his second year with the Cleveland Naps (now the Cleveland Indians), is captured in a follow-through pose. The photograph, dated March 1911, includes an inscription believed to be Jackson’s signature, accompanied by the word “Alexandria.”

The auction listing notes that the photograph is accompanied by a letter of authenticity from James Spence Authentication (JSA). It has been graded as PSA/DNA mint by Professional Sports Authenticator, with the photograph itself rated as EX/Mint-near mint and the signature as mint.

Jackson’s autographs are considered extremely rare. Despite his illiteracy, Jackson was capable of signing his name, but signed memorabilia, especially beyond documents, are seldom encountered.

Controversy Over Authenticity and Auction Highlights

Ron Keurajian, the author of “Baseball Hall of Fame Autographs: A Reference Guide,” which includes analyses of signatures from the 1919 Chicago White Sox players, has expressed doubts regarding the authenticity of the photograph. He pointed out the unlikelihood of Jackson writing “Alexandria” due to his illiteracy and questioned the consistency of the handwriting.

Despite these concerns, Christie’s described the Jackson autograph as “the lone surviving example of any type.” However, Keurajian remains skeptical, emphasizing the simplicity and ease of replicating Jackson’s signature.

The photograph was initially sold by Heritage Auctions in 2015 and was part of a collection purchased for $15,000 in 2010 from friends of the Smith family, according to reports from Sports Collectors Daily.

Besides the Jackson photograph, the auction showcased other significant items, such as a Babe Ruth professional model baseball bat with eight home run notches, which fetched $1.05 million. Additionally, a 1925 Lou Gehrig autographed rookie exhibit postcard sold for $687,500, and a 1952 Joe DiMaggio handwritten letter to Marilyn Monroe garnered $525,000.