1953 Bowman Color Pee Wee Reese

[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.

[JollyElm]

What I was trying to point out in my post, where I put the obviously different photos next to each other, was that the most likely scenario was Shuba (or whomever it is) was just lying there on the ground and Pee Wee Reese kept jumping up as the photog snapped away, perhaps never actually throwing the ball.

Due to the lack of body twisting and strain in the card photo, it doesn't seem likely the separate pictures came from the continuation of the same 'play.' It doesn't rule it out, of course, but I think Reese probably just kept landing and jumping, and that's why 'Shuba's' prone body has slight differences in his leg positions, etc. He probably got tired from having to lay in the dirt like a dog! At least he was saved from being covered in a cloud of dust, since he never had to actually slide into the base.

[Volod]

Originally Posted by jingram058

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.

Sure did exist in 1953. The photographer would set up his high speed camera on an tripod and snap shots at a rapid clip. Thus, the two shots of Reese over second base were snapped while he was hanging in the air. If you look at the base runner's feet, they actually move about a half foot or so over the bag in the time between the two shots. As for photo #3, I think it was shot in a different ballfield and on a different day, maybe even a different year. Not only is the outfield fence completely different (you can tell it is second base shot from the same angle by the shape of the infield grass cut), but if you look closely at the undershirts Reese and the runner are wearing, they are very different in the photos. In the card photo, temperatures appear to be cooler, as both players are wearing heavier undershirts with elastic cuffs, while in photo #3, both players are wearing light-weight undershirts with shorter sleeves. Not the same shoot at all.

[Kutcher55]

I understand the appeal but the card is a bit too precious and overvalued for me. I prefer the '53 Topps Reese and think this is actually his best card with an honorable mention going to the '41 Playball RC.

[wdwfan]

Tell me about it! I was comping some the other day. An "A" or a 1 goes for $300. No thank you. Not for that low of a grade.

Originally Posted by Kutcher55

I understand the appeal but the card is a bit too precious and overvalued for me. I prefer the '53 Topps Reese and think this is actually his best card with an honorable mention going to the '41 Playball RC.

[ASF123]

Any idea why they posed Shuba on the ground facing in the wrong direction? Did he supposedly roll over after his slide?

[Volod]

Originally Posted by ASF123

Any idea why they posed Shuba on the ground facing in the wrong direction? Did he supposedly roll over after his slide?

Shuba suffered a knee injury early in his career and had surgery on it following the 1952 season. It seems possible that, in posing for the shot, he was anxious about Reese possibly landing on his knee. So, he flipped over while sliding.