Lot # 1210: 1928 Mel Ott Original News Service Photograph - PSA/DNA Type I

One of baseball's premier sluggers of the 1930s makes a welcome appearance, with this 1928 Associated Press Mel Ott Type I news service photograph. Packing a lot of power into his 5'9”, 170lb. frame, Ott finished his Hall of Fame career as the third ever member of the 500 Home Run Club, behind “Babe” Ruth and Jimmie Foxx. Ott was still a teenager when this shot was taken near the end of the 1928 season, when he began making a name for himself, with 18 homers, 77 RBI, and a .322 batting average. This 6x8 photograph is credited on the reverse to the Associated Press, and an attached blurb is dated 9/27/28. The caption reads simply, “Melvin Ott, right fielder and slugger of the New York Giants”. Ott’s expression in the obverse image suggests he was all business, and for the next 17 seasons, he was bad business for opposing National League pitchers. This antique photograph remains crisp, with a clean, glossy obverse, and moderate overall wear, rating as (GD+).

Full LOA from PSA/DNA.