Celebrate the magic of the “Miracle Braves”, with this 1914 Boston Braves World Champions imperial photograph. Mired in the dumps, the 1914 Braves used a whole lot more than smoke and mirrors to rise from last place on the 4th of July to a resounding first place finish by 10-1/2 games. Timely hitting and shutdown pitching turned the tricks that propelled the Miracle Braves to a 68-19 finish, over their final 87 games of the 1914 season. Led by Hall of Famers “Rabbit” Maranville and Johnny Evers, this diehard squad had plenty of fight left in them when they got to the World Series, where they miraculously swept Connie Mack’s mighty Philadelphia Athletics dynasty.
Measuring 16x20, this ancient team photo was taken before the postseason. Overlays were added after the Braves Fall Classic sweep, with “World Champions” and “The Braves” letter boxes across the bottom. There are also portrait overlays across the top with Evers, owners George Stallings and James Gaffney, and an undetermined executive. These overlays suggest this photo is a production piece that was used to create an updated version of the photo with the 1914 Braves as Champions, likely for newspaper publication and potentially for public consumption. Evers is also seen at far-right in the bottom row of players, with Maranville three over from his left. Other notables are pitchers Dick Rudolph, Bill James, and “Lefty” Tyler, and catcher Hank Gowdy. The obverse perimeter and the reverse show considerable moisture staining. There are also ripples at left and center, and various other signs of attrition, including abrasions on Evers' arm and nose, small, scattered creases, and some surface loss at the top-left corner. Despite these conditions, this photo is considered a great prize given its relative rarity, its status as a production piece, tremendous period authentic appeal, and the storied comeback of this determined Boston Braves squad.
The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot. Opening Bid $250.