This lot of 5 photos captures Minnesota Twins hurler Bert Blyleven at the outset of his career during the 1971 season. Blyleven would start 38 games that year as a 20 year old, posting a 16-15 record, 2.81 ERA and a lead leaguing 3.8 strikeout to walk ratio. Blyleven would pitch 20 more seasons in the big leagues totaling 287 wins and 3701 strikeouts, 5th most all time.
Measures 11" x 14", Russ Reed photo credit, editor's markings, The Sporting News hologram, 1971. (00461)
With over a million images found in the complete archives of "The Sporting News Collection Archives", there were only a few hundred Type 1 Jumbo Oversized images that were included in the find. Each image is unique, as there were no duplicate images of any subject. Unique in nature, each photograph is one of a kind! Matchless in quality, the color, contrast, tone and depths of the black and white media are magnified in the oversized format. Great images became phenomenal in appearance with this Jumbo sized format.
Unlike standard wire photos, these images were hand developed by the photographer and sent to The Sporting News magazine. Therefore, the result is an actual first generation Type 1 photographer's print - again, not to be confused with the more commonly found wire photo image. This is the first major collection of exclusive Type 1 Jumbo Photos to enter the market.
(MEARS Auction LOA~SB)