FS—Vintage 1940s-/1950s-era Picturegrams aluminum printing plates
 

Update: The pieces are no longer available for sale, as they have been consigned for an auction to take place in Summer 2025.

These three pieces are original vintage aluminum printing plates from Picturegrams, which were broadsheet newspaper headlines produced by Illustrated Current News. These were popular during the mid-20th century, especially during World War II, as store owners would hang them in their windows. Featuring interesting pictures and eye-catching headlines, they were a way of attracting customers into the stores and giving them something to read while waiting in line.

These three printing plates feature headlines on each side, as Illustrated Current News would reuse them, sometimes a decade later. Each printing plate measure 23” x 20”. They have signs of wear consistent with their use as manufacturing pieces, including small marks and impressions in the aluminum, including on the tops and bottoms where they were held in place during the printing process. Even with the signs of wear, they are in very good condition and present wonderfully. Each printing plate will ship inside a large BCW top loader and will be packaged very well.

Printing Plate #1

The first side of this printing plate is from 09/24/1947 and features a team photo of the New York Yankees to commemorate them becoming the 1947 American League Champions. The Yankees would go on to defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers in the World Series that year. The other side of the printing plate is from 09/29/1950 and features a team photo of the Philadelphia Phillies to commemorate them becoming the 1950 National League Champions. The New York Yankees defeated the Phillies in the World Series that year.

Hall of Famers featured:

• Bucky Harris
• Yogi Berra
• Joe DiMaggio
• Phil Rizzuto
• Richie Ashburn
• Robin Roberts

Printing Plate #2

The first side of this printing plate is from 06/24/1942 and features Paul Waner of the Boston Braves collecting his 3,000th hit. The other side of the printing plate is from 10/03/1951 and features a team photo of the New York Yankees to commemorate them becoming the 1951 American League Champions. The Yankees would go on to defeat the New York Giants in the World Series that year.

This piece is especially notable as it features Mickey Mantle in his rookie season.

Hall of Famers featured:

• Paul Waner
• Casey Stengel
• Bill Dickey
• Yogi Berra
• Joe DiMaggio
• Mickey Mantle
• Johnny Mize
• Phil Rizzuto

Printing Plate #3

The first side of this printing plate is from 09/02/1946 and features Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals as the leading hitter in the National League. The other side of the printing plate is from 10/08/1951 and features a team photo of the New York Giants to commemorate them becoming the 1951 National League Champions. The New York Yankees would go on to defeat the Giants in the World Series that year.

This piece is especially notable as it features Willie Mays in his rookie season.

Hall of Famers featured:

• Stan Musial
• Leo Durocher
• Monte Irvin
• Willie Mays

Printing Plate #2 has sold

Update: The pieces are no longer available for sale, as they have been consigned for an auction to take place in Summer 2025.