May 2021 Sports Card & Memorabilia Auction
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 5/24/2021
Lot of 5 1953 Signed Original US Air Force Type 1 Photos From MLB Tour of Japan includes Mike Garcia, Jackie Jensen, Curt Simmons, Ed Lopat, and Gus Niarhos (JSA Auction Letter) - from the collection of Harold Brenner, the Air Force Photographer who took the photo and obtained the autograph. Mr Brenner took the original photographs on the evening before the game and was able obtain the autographs immediately after developing the photos. Mr. Brenner only developed one of each photograph, so these are original one-of-a-kind Type 1 photos! 3 of the 5 (Lopat, Jensen, Garcia) of these photos are stamped on the back with US Air Force Official stamp of the Itazuke USAF Base. In 1953, Ed Lopat took a team of Major League Baseball's finest to Japan for a goodwill tour. It was not the first time a team went to Japan, but this team had some greats. Although the outfield says "Welcome Major League All-Stars", they apparently weren't sponsored by the MLB directly. They went by the name "Lopat's Nomads", or "Lopat's All-Stars". The Japanese team is now the Chiba Lotte Marines, but back then they were the Mainichi Orions, based out of Kourakuen Stadium (destroyed for Tokyo Dome). All original photos have some slight creases with the exception of Gus Niarhos which has some heavier creasing on the top, and Ed Lopat with a tear on the upper right corner. Overall a great set of original photo's and autographs from the early 50's.
Condition: GD-EX
Lot of 5 1953 Signed Original US Air Force Type 1 Photos From MLB Tour of Japan Inc. Garcia, Jensen, Simmons, Lopat, Niarhos (JSA Auction Letter)
Click above for larger image.