1953 Bowman Color Pee Wee Reese

[jingram058]

This has been discussed before, but I found this photo and feel the need to post. Cannot find the old thread just now. This is the photo that became the card. Vero Beach "Dodgertown" is the location. The man on the ground is George "Shotgun" Shuba, number 8.

[wdwfan]

I was wanting to ask this question, so I'm glad you posted this.

Why is this card so expensive? This card in a SGC/PSA 1 is like $300. Why is it so popular? It's not a RC, it's not his final card. It's just another card with a cool action shot. Is that way? Just a cool action shot? I'm new to the vintage, and I'd like to get this card at some point as I want to collect as many Brooklyn Dodgers cards as I can. So I'm really curious.

[irv]

As Greg (G1911) mentioned in the other thread. It is a staged photo for those that don't know?
1951 Brooklyn Dodgers Spring Training
Pee Wee Reese (1918 - 1999), Shortstop for the Brooklyn Dodgers jumps in the air to complete a double play on #8 George Shuba (1924 - 2014) at second base as Jackie Robinson (1919 - 1972) looks on during Major League Baseball Spring Training on 1st March 1951 at Dodgertown in Vero Beach, Florida, United States. (Photo by Curt Gunther/Keystone View Company/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
https://www.gettyimages.co.uk/detail...oto/1635765833

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by wdwfan

I was wanting to ask this question, so I'm glad you posted this.

Why is this card so expensive? This card in a SGC/PSA 1 is like $300. Why is it so popular? It's not a RC, it's not his final card. It's just another card with a cool action shot. Is that way? Just a cool action shot? I'm new to the vintage, and I'd like to get this card at some point as I want to collect as many Brooklyn Dodgers cards as I can. So I'm really curious.

Maybe wrong, but I think because if not the first, one of the first action shots on a card, even if it was staged. When I put my 53 Bowman set together, I got the big cards out of the way at first. This was one of those big cards, as in big price. And even with high price, try finding one with clear image. Almost all are very out of focus, so much so the photo looks like a painting.

[JollyElm]

I wonder how long poor Shubes had to be a good sport, just laying there prone on the ground as they kept snapping away pictures in hopes of eventually getting the 'right' one...

1953bowmanreesepics.jpg

[Volod]

Originally Posted by jingram058

This has been discussed before, but I found this photo and feel the need to post. Cannot find the old thread just now. This is the photo that became the card. Vero Beach "Dodgertown" is the location. The man on the ground is George "Shotgun" Shuba, number 8.

Ok, but we are actually discussing three different photos here. The first is the OP's wire-photo, which is not the same shot as was used on the card, as can be seen by looking closely at the positions of two players. Arms and legs are obviously in slightly different positions on the two photos. The third photo that Irv references by his link is another wire-photo from Dodger spring training, but is quite apparently not the same as either of the first two pics. This third pic was not even shot in the same ballyard, I think. The outfield fence here looks to be a ramshackle, part wire and part wooden slat job, with no ads appearing. Thus, the caption identifying the time, place and players has no real bearing on the first two photos. Since photo numbers one and two do not reveal the sliding player's uniform number, it is still not certain that he is in fact George Shuba - probably, but not for sure.

[JollyElm]

NM

[packs]

It's expensive because it has a great image.

Similar to the 1952 Topps Zernial that sells for slightly more than the average common.

[JustinD]

Originally Posted by packs

It's expensive because it has a great image.

Similar to the 1952 Topps Zernial that sells for slightly more than the average common.

You got it and it's a simple answer.

Also, both those cards were the first I bought from either set as a collector. Just great cards to show anyone who knows nothing about the hobby.

[toppcat]

Lots working in its favor. Even before his HOF election Pee Wee was a beloved player. Plus you add in the Brooklyn Dodgers, the possibility of the sliding player being Scooter, the fantastic image and its essentially being the first ever action card in a major set, let alone one of the most popular vintage sets there is and it all adds up to quite a premium.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Volod

Ok, but we are actually discussing three different photos here. The first is the OP's wire-photo, which is not the same shot as was used on the card, as can be seen by looking closely at the positions of two players. Arms and legs are obviously in slightly different positions on the two photos. The third photo that Irv references by his link is another wire-photo from Dodger spring training, but is quite apparently not the same as either of the first two pics. This third pic was not even shot in the same ballyard, I think. The outfield fence here looks to be a ramshackle, part wire and part wooden slat job, with no ads appearing. Thus, the caption identifying the time, place and players has no real bearing on the first two photos. Since photo numbers one and two do not reveal the sliding player's uniform number, it is still not certain that he is in fact George Shuba - probably, but not for sure.

Definitely subtle differences between photos #1 and #2. Did hi-speed photography exist when the photos were made? If so, then the two photos could have come from the same exact shot, same leap, split-seconds apart. I don't know. Photo #3 looks nothing like #1 and #2. As you say, the fence is totally wrong. Could be the angle, if you look at second base, but I just don't think so. I admit, I looked at #3 to assume the man on the ground is Shuba, assuming all 3 came from the same shoot.