Lou GEHRIG (1903-1941)
Except otherwise stated, all results include the premium.
See also : Baseball jersey Baseball bat Sport images < 1940
See also : Baseball jersey Baseball bat Sport images < 1940
Intro
Lou Gehrig is a force of nature, weighing 6.4 Kg at birth. He starts baseball at the age of 17 in 1920 in colleges and a little later for the Hartford Senators in Eastern League. Perhaps by reference to Babe Ruth who is 8 years older, Lou is nicknamed The Eastern Babe.
From that first phase his records are sensational. As early as 1920 he attracted attention by scoring in front of 10,000 spectators one of the most prestigious and rarest points of baseball, a grand slam whose he will be the best specialist throughout his long career.
From that first phase his records are sensational. As early as 1920 he attracted attention by scoring in front of 10,000 spectators one of the most prestigious and rarest points of baseball, a grand slam whose he will be the best specialist throughout his long career.
1922-1923 Bat
2020 SOLD for $ 1.03M by Heritage
A very early game used bat of Lou Gehrig passed at Heritage on February 23, 2020, lot 5051. The press release of April 8, 2020 reported that it was sold in post sale for $ 1.03M. Please watch the video shared by the auction house.
This bat was made by Hillerich and Bradsby for Gehrig around 1922, preceding their first contract in October 1923 with the 20 year old player. It was extensively used by Gehrig in that transition period when he was a pitcher for Columbia University and then went professional in MLB from June 1923 with the New York Yankees and occasionally with the Hartford Senators. It is graded a perfect GU 10 by PSA/DNA.
This bat was used in 1925 as the master for the 40 oz Gehrig bat which will from then have a burnt facsimile signature on the barrel in place of the block letter name inscribed on the pre-contract specimen. A side written date from the factory on the barrel records this operation. This use as a master reveals that it was in period Gehrig's preferred bat.
This bat was made by Hillerich and Bradsby for Gehrig around 1922, preceding their first contract in October 1923 with the 20 year old player. It was extensively used by Gehrig in that transition period when he was a pitcher for Columbia University and then went professional in MLB from June 1923 with the New York Yankees and occasionally with the Hartford Senators. It is graded a perfect GU 10 by PSA/DNA.
This bat was used in 1925 as the master for the 40 oz Gehrig bat which will from then have a burnt facsimile signature on the barrel in place of the block letter name inscribed on the pre-contract specimen. A side written date from the factory on the barrel records this operation. This use as a master reveals that it was in period Gehrig's preferred bat.
#WhatsOnYourDesk
— Heritage Auctions Sports (@Heritage_Sport) January 24, 2020
1922-23 Lou Gehrig game used bat#jobperk pic.twitter.com/BAalBAhnYt
1925 ESCO Card
1
2021 SOLD for $ 1.03M by Memory Lane
ESCO (Exhibit Supply Company), established in 1901, provided images in amusement parks with slot machines for their viewing. The range was vast : personalities, fantasy, jokes. The risque photos were often stereoscopic. In the 1920s, the company adds movie stars as well as sports, starting with boxing and baseball.
The images were issued in black and white by halftone prints in postcard size, 3-3/8" x 5-3/8" (8.5 x 13.5 cm). They were often reused from year to year. The publisher is not identified and the back is blank, which is consistent with the fact that the sale to the public was not planned. The views are not numbered.
In 1925, Exhibit publish the portraits in action of 128 baseball players, most often in a vertical format. The player's name and position, along with his city and league, are grouped in a box at the bottom left.
This series includes a rookie card which is outstanding in the history of baseball images : Henry L. Gehrig, Infield, New York, A.L. (American League). Lou Gehrig, 22, holds up his bat for hitting. He already has that look of a quiet colossus which will please the public so much.
The Gehrig rookie card from the Newman collection is graded EX 5 by PSA, it is one of 4 in that grade with 3 higher. It was sold for $ 1.03M by Memory Lane on July 10, 2021, lot 4.
An autographed example graded by PSA VG-EX 4 (MK) with a signature graded 8 was listed for a two run private auction by BWIC n February 2023, lot 4. The MK refers to graphite notations on the reverse. Signed cards that are clean enough for being graded are of the utmost rarity for the 1925 Exhibits Gehrig rookie.
This image is of course not the earliest from Gehrig's career. A print of a press photo taken in 1923 featuring him with the Yankees uniform was sold for $ 22.7K by Heritage on August 14, 2015, lot 81004.
The images were issued in black and white by halftone prints in postcard size, 3-3/8" x 5-3/8" (8.5 x 13.5 cm). They were often reused from year to year. The publisher is not identified and the back is blank, which is consistent with the fact that the sale to the public was not planned. The views are not numbered.
In 1925, Exhibit publish the portraits in action of 128 baseball players, most often in a vertical format. The player's name and position, along with his city and league, are grouped in a box at the bottom left.
This series includes a rookie card which is outstanding in the history of baseball images : Henry L. Gehrig, Infield, New York, A.L. (American League). Lou Gehrig, 22, holds up his bat for hitting. He already has that look of a quiet colossus which will please the public so much.
The Gehrig rookie card from the Newman collection is graded EX 5 by PSA, it is one of 4 in that grade with 3 higher. It was sold for $ 1.03M by Memory Lane on July 10, 2021, lot 4.
An autographed example graded by PSA VG-EX 4 (MK) with a signature graded 8 was listed for a two run private auction by BWIC n February 2023, lot 4. The MK refers to graphite notations on the reverse. Signed cards that are clean enough for being graded are of the utmost rarity for the 1925 Exhibits Gehrig rookie.
This image is of course not the earliest from Gehrig's career. A print of a press photo taken in 1923 featuring him with the Yankees uniform was sold for $ 22.7K by Heritage on August 14, 2015, lot 81004.
5 DAYS REMAIN in our Thomas Newman Collection Auction! Don't Wait – BID NOW! Lot 4 - 1925 Exhibits Lou Gehrig PSA 5 EX. An AMAZING addition to ANY Collection! #memorylaneinc #auction #LouGehrig #sportscards @PSAcard pic.twitter.com/Mudg1YM9QK
— MemoryLaneInc (@MemoryLaneInc) July 5, 2021
2
2021 SOLD for $ 800K by Goldin
A Lou Gehrig rookie card graded EX-MT 6 (MK) by PSA was sold for $ 102K by Heritage on February 26, 2017, lot 80029 and for $ 800K by Goldin on January 30, 2021, lot 16.
The mark (MK) observed by PSA is on the back, almost completely erased, and does not affect the image. With such a qualifier, it is indeed less desirable than the card from the Newman collection, graded EX 5.
The mark (MK) observed by PSA is on the back, almost completely erased, and does not affect the image. With such a qualifier, it is indeed less desirable than the card from the Newman collection, graded EX 5.
This 1925 Lou Gehrig rookie card just sold for $801,960 At https://t.co/qlvBBNLR8M making it the highest priced Lou Gehrig trading card ever sold . To consign to a future Auction email [email protected] pic.twitter.com/aKm6dD3sFl
— Goldin Auctions (@GoldinAuctions) January 31, 2021
3
Autographed
2021 SOLD for $ 690K by Christie's and Hunt
A 1925 Exhibit card autographed by Lou Gehrig was sold for $ 690K from a lower estimate of $ 500K by Christie's and Hunt on October 7, 2021, lot 198.
It is certified as Authentic by PSA/DNA with a rating at 9 for the signature in black fountain pen. The blank back has been inscribed "Saw him play" by its first owner with the batting average score of the player in two World Series events.
It is certified as Authentic by PSA/DNA with a rating at 9 for the signature in black fountain pen. The blank back has been inscribed "Saw him play" by its first owner with the batting average score of the player in two World Series events.
Incredibly scarce 1925 Lou Gehrig autographed Exhibit card brings in $687,500. Highest graded signature example at @PSAcard 9 pic.twitter.com/mfxNFwraCr
— Hunt Auctions (@HuntAuctions) October 7, 2021
1927 Home Jersey
2010 SOLD for $ 720K by Heritage
During the 1927 season, the New York Yankees had what we would now call a dream team, carefully formed by the club's owner, Jacob Ruppert, and the general manager, Ed Barrow. Six players are collectively known as the Murderers' Row : Combs, Koenig, Ruth, Gehrig, Meusel and Lazzeri.
Babe Ruth is the Sultan of Swat, meaning that his hittings are worthy of a monarch. Yet he finds in his own team a young challenger as talented as him : Lou Gehrig. The Yankees are invincible, but this friendly internal rivalry makes the 1927 season arguably the most exciting in baseball history.
Fans manage to count the home runs. At the end of August, Gehrig leads with 45 homers. In September, Ruth is unleashed. In the middle of the month, it becomes clear that his performance will be unbeatable. He makes on September 30 his 60th homer of the season, a remarkable record which will last until 1961, thirteen years after his death.
On November 5, 2010, Heritage sold for $ 720K a jersey worn by Gehrig during these heroic games, lot 81216. Size 46, signed Spalding, this garment bears the name of the player inside the collar. The fans of baseball memories need their magnifying glass, like philatelists and numismatists. They inspect the old photos for the pattern of the stripes on the jerseys. No doubt for this one : 1927.
Babe Ruth is the Sultan of Swat, meaning that his hittings are worthy of a monarch. Yet he finds in his own team a young challenger as talented as him : Lou Gehrig. The Yankees are invincible, but this friendly internal rivalry makes the 1927 season arguably the most exciting in baseball history.
Fans manage to count the home runs. At the end of August, Gehrig leads with 45 homers. In September, Ruth is unleashed. In the middle of the month, it becomes clear that his performance will be unbeatable. He makes on September 30 his 60th homer of the season, a remarkable record which will last until 1961, thirteen years after his death.
On November 5, 2010, Heritage sold for $ 720K a jersey worn by Gehrig during these heroic games, lot 81216. Size 46, signed Spalding, this garment bears the name of the player inside the collar. The fans of baseball memories need their magnifying glass, like philatelists and numismatists. They inspect the old photos for the pattern of the stripes on the jerseys. No doubt for this one : 1927.
1931 Home Jersey
2020 SOLD for $ 1.44M by Christie's and Hunt
In the 1920s, no one imagined that the uniforms of baseball champions would ever become collectibles. After the season, the jerseys were given to Minor League clubs which made an intensive use of them.
The New York Yankees players generally had two home jerseys and two road jerseys available for the entire season. The player's name was sewn in round letters on the inside of the collar next to the Spalding tag. The tight pattern of vertical blue stripes on the front of home jerseys makes photo-matching easier than on road jerseys.
A home jersey used by Lou Gehrig in 1927, the year of the Murderers Row, was sold for $ 720K by Heritage on November 5, 2010.
On December 16, 2020, Christie's and Hunt sold as lot 46 for $ 1.44M a home jersey from Gehrig, photo-matched in April and September 1931.
This thick woolen flannel garment had been roughly handled, starting with the shortening of the sleeves in the summer of 1931. The thinning of the flannel at the shoulders was reworked. On the back, a vintage number 4 has been sewn back in place of the original 4 which had early disappeared. Reversely the absence of inscription on the front is in conformity with the original state. It was graded A6 by MEARS.
A few years later, more attention was paid to the conservation of such relics. Given to a friend by a Yankees manager, a 1937 Gehrig road jersey remains in excellent condition, rated A9 by MEARS. It was sold for $ 2.6M by Heritage in 2019.
The New York Yankees players generally had two home jerseys and two road jerseys available for the entire season. The player's name was sewn in round letters on the inside of the collar next to the Spalding tag. The tight pattern of vertical blue stripes on the front of home jerseys makes photo-matching easier than on road jerseys.
A home jersey used by Lou Gehrig in 1927, the year of the Murderers Row, was sold for $ 720K by Heritage on November 5, 2010.
On December 16, 2020, Christie's and Hunt sold as lot 46 for $ 1.44M a home jersey from Gehrig, photo-matched in April and September 1931.
This thick woolen flannel garment had been roughly handled, starting with the shortening of the sleeves in the summer of 1931. The thinning of the flannel at the shoulders was reworked. On the back, a vintage number 4 has been sewn back in place of the original 4 which had early disappeared. Reversely the absence of inscription on the front is in conformity with the original state. It was graded A6 by MEARS.
A few years later, more attention was paid to the conservation of such relics. Given to a friend by a Yankees manager, a 1937 Gehrig road jersey remains in excellent condition, rated A9 by MEARS. It was sold for $ 2.6M by Heritage in 2019.
1933 Goudey card
2019 SOLD for $ 580K by Heritage
The Goudey card series, inserted in 1933 and 1934 in the Gum wax packs of that brand, brings a quality glow within the decadence of the 1930s trading cards, in competition with postcards. It is made of 240 positions including two Lou Gehrig sourced from the same photo.
A sale dedicated to 1933 Goudey by Heritage on January 24, 2019 highlighted three cards graded Mint 9 by PSA : a Gehrig #160 for $ 580K, lot 50160 and two Ruth for $ 530K (# 144) and $ 460K (# 181).
A sale dedicated to 1933 Goudey by Heritage on January 24, 2019 highlighted three cards graded Mint 9 by PSA : a Gehrig #160 for $ 580K, lot 50160 and two Ruth for $ 530K (# 144) and $ 460K (# 181).
1937
Intro
Nicknamed the Iron Horse for his endurance, Lou Gehrig spent his entire career with the New York Yankees. He did not miss a single game from June 1925 to April 1939. Alongside his exuberant teammate Babe Ruth, the quiet strong man embodies the enthusiasm of the play.
The retirement of Babe Ruth in 1935 increases the attention of the supporters to Lou Gehrig. In 1936 Lou even participates in a casting to replace Johnny Weissmuller in the role of Tarzan the Ape Man. On the field, 1936 and 1937 are great years with two consecutive victories of the Yankees in the World Series.
The retirement of Babe Ruth in 1935 increases the attention of the supporters to Lou Gehrig. In 1936 Lou even participates in a casting to replace Johnny Weissmuller in the role of Tarzan the Ape Man. On the field, 1936 and 1937 are great years with two consecutive victories of the Yankees in the World Series.
1
Home Jersey
2017 SOLD for $ 870K by Heritage
On May 2, 1939, after one year and a half of worsening of his physical condition, Lou renounces to play. From June 1, 1925 to April 30, 1939 he had realized with the Yankees the sensational performance of 2,130 consecutive games in major league. Nicknamed The Iron Horse he was an example for the youth in the sequel to Christy Mathewson. His number 4 was withdrawn on 4 July 1939 by the Yankees.
On July 4, 1941, five weeks after his death, Gehrig was the first player and the second person after the manager Miller Huggins to be honored with a monument at Yankee Stadium Monument Park.
The image in his plaque and in the 1941 ceremony ticket is copied from a photo made in 1937. The attitude, both smiling and melancholic, is typical of the great player, as if he was knowing in advance his incurable fate.
The flannel jersey worn by Lou Gehrig on this photo and visible on the plaque and on the ticket was retrieved. It had been worn out and modified through about 40 games with the champion in 1937 followed by an unregistered but probably intensive use in a farm club. After the season it was indeed a usual practice to give the uniforms to a training club for young players where they were modified as needed.
This jersey which had been used in such a farm club is graded 6.5 by MEARS. The photo-matching is nevertheless incontestable. A NY mark conforming to its 1937 style was sewn close to the location of the original mark that had been removed.
It was sold twice by Heritage, each time for $ 870K : on August 19, 2017, lot 80004 and on February 22, 2020, lot 50067.
Only 3 home jerseys of Gehrig are known by MeiGray for that season, the above example with cut sleeves, one with long sleeves and one with hemmed sleeves. The authentication is based on the button placement, the stripe alignment and the sleeve fraying.
This one is now photo-matched by MeiGray, Sports Investors Authentication and Resolution Photomatching in 7 days from August 1937 to March 1938, including a team photo before the 1937 World Series and Game 2 of that event. It passed at SCP on December 14, 2024, lot 1.
On July 4, 1941, five weeks after his death, Gehrig was the first player and the second person after the manager Miller Huggins to be honored with a monument at Yankee Stadium Monument Park.
The image in his plaque and in the 1941 ceremony ticket is copied from a photo made in 1937. The attitude, both smiling and melancholic, is typical of the great player, as if he was knowing in advance his incurable fate.
The flannel jersey worn by Lou Gehrig on this photo and visible on the plaque and on the ticket was retrieved. It had been worn out and modified through about 40 games with the champion in 1937 followed by an unregistered but probably intensive use in a farm club. After the season it was indeed a usual practice to give the uniforms to a training club for young players where they were modified as needed.
This jersey which had been used in such a farm club is graded 6.5 by MEARS. The photo-matching is nevertheless incontestable. A NY mark conforming to its 1937 style was sewn close to the location of the original mark that had been removed.
It was sold twice by Heritage, each time for $ 870K : on August 19, 2017, lot 80004 and on February 22, 2020, lot 50067.
Only 3 home jerseys of Gehrig are known by MeiGray for that season, the above example with cut sleeves, one with long sleeves and one with hemmed sleeves. The authentication is based on the button placement, the stripe alignment and the sleeve fraying.
This one is now photo-matched by MeiGray, Sports Investors Authentication and Resolution Photomatching in 7 days from August 1937 to March 1938, including a team photo before the 1937 World Series and Game 2 of that event. It passed at SCP on December 14, 2024, lot 1.
2
Road Jersey
2019 SOLD for $ 2.6M by Heritage
In June 2018 SCP reported that they had achieved the private sale of a road jersey of Lou Gehrig, photo-matched with two games from August 1937. Escaping the nursery clubs, it had been presented to a friend by George Weiss, general manager of the Yankees, and had been kept by the family. The 2018 price has not been disclosed.
The matching had been done by Resolution Photomatching, considering that the alignment to the seam and buttons of the stitched Y beginning the word YORK is different for each jersey.
That jersey was sold for $ 2.6M by Heritage on August 17, 2019, lot 56059. A document demonstrating the photo-matching in the press release prepared in 2018 by Resolution Photomatching is included in the catalog of Heritage and the original provenance is also with George Weiss. It is graded A9 by MEARS and Excellent by SGC, meaning that the only changes from the Spalding model are consistent with the known habits of the player.
The matching had been done by Resolution Photomatching, considering that the alignment to the seam and buttons of the stitched Y beginning the word YORK is different for each jersey.
That jersey was sold for $ 2.6M by Heritage on August 17, 2019, lot 56059. A document demonstrating the photo-matching in the press release prepared in 2018 by Resolution Photomatching is included in the catalog of Heritage and the original provenance is also with George Weiss. It is graded A9 by MEARS and Excellent by SGC, meaning that the only changes from the Spalding model are consistent with the known habits of the player.
1938 Bat
2021 SOLD for $ 715K by SCP
At the start of the 1938-1939 season, the New York Yankees once again appear unbeatable. The star of the team is Lou Gehrig, 35, but the take over is assured, especially with Joe DiMaggio, 24.
From the first matches, Gehrig feels an exhaustion in his arms and legs. He continues courageously but his achievement decreases. He does not yet know that he has a fatal degenerative disease and he is looking for technical solutions.
Baseball super champions are more effective with long, heavy and hard bats. A Louisville Slugger by Hillerich and Bradsby of the model used by Gehrig in 1936-1938 passed at Goldin on November 2, 2013. It is made of ash and weighs 37.1 ounces for a length of 35 inches.
A small weight reduction could help Gehrig to overcome this difficult course. In September 1938 he orders from Hillerich and Bradsby a Louisville Slugger weighing 36 ounces for 34 inches. Appreciating that new tests will be necessary, he specifies to the manufacturer to inscribe the weight on the knob.
This bat was used extensively in games during Gehrig's final season. Un-cracked despite many marks of balls, it is graded a perfect GU10 by PSA/DNA. Gehrig presented it to his former teammate Earle Combs who was DiMaggio's coach at that time. Remained in the Combs family, it was sold for $ 715K by SCP on April 3, 2021, lot 1.
A Louisville Slugger bat graded GU 8.5 by PSA was sold for $ 560K by Hunt on November 13, 2021, lot 215. 35 cm in length and weighing 35.5 ounces, it is from the model with the stamped small facsimile signature of Lou Gehrig. The ledgers of Hillerich and Bradsby refer to a set of four bats ordered in August 1938 with a specific request to mark that weight.
On December 16, 2020, Christie's in association with Hunt sold at lot 87 for $ 450K the letters exchanged by Gehrig throughout his final phase with Dr O'Leary of the Mayo Clinic : original letters sent by the champion and carbon copies of the doctor's answers. He died on June 2, 1941.
From the first matches, Gehrig feels an exhaustion in his arms and legs. He continues courageously but his achievement decreases. He does not yet know that he has a fatal degenerative disease and he is looking for technical solutions.
Baseball super champions are more effective with long, heavy and hard bats. A Louisville Slugger by Hillerich and Bradsby of the model used by Gehrig in 1936-1938 passed at Goldin on November 2, 2013. It is made of ash and weighs 37.1 ounces for a length of 35 inches.
A small weight reduction could help Gehrig to overcome this difficult course. In September 1938 he orders from Hillerich and Bradsby a Louisville Slugger weighing 36 ounces for 34 inches. Appreciating that new tests will be necessary, he specifies to the manufacturer to inscribe the weight on the knob.
This bat was used extensively in games during Gehrig's final season. Un-cracked despite many marks of balls, it is graded a perfect GU10 by PSA/DNA. Gehrig presented it to his former teammate Earle Combs who was DiMaggio's coach at that time. Remained in the Combs family, it was sold for $ 715K by SCP on April 3, 2021, lot 1.
A Louisville Slugger bat graded GU 8.5 by PSA was sold for $ 560K by Hunt on November 13, 2021, lot 215. 35 cm in length and weighing 35.5 ounces, it is from the model with the stamped small facsimile signature of Lou Gehrig. The ledgers of Hillerich and Bradsby refer to a set of four bats ordered in August 1938 with a specific request to mark that weight.
On December 16, 2020, Christie's in association with Hunt sold at lot 87 for $ 450K the letters exchanged by Gehrig throughout his final phase with Dr O'Leary of the Mayo Clinic : original letters sent by the champion and carbon copies of the doctor's answers. He died on June 2, 1941.
