Offered are two gorgeous original news service photos of the two men that bookend the career of Yankee first baseman Lou Gehrig, Wally Pipp and Babe Dahlgren. On June 25, 1925, Wally Pipp was replaced at first base by Lou Gehrig. Yankee manager Miller Huggins had been replacing a number of starters in recent games to try to shake of his struggling team, several of which would find their way back into the lineup. But not Pipp. Gehrig wouldn't step away from his post at first for another 2,130 consecutive games (he had actually seen action the day before as a pinch hitter-the FIRST game of his streak). It wasn't until 14 years later, on May 2, 1939, that Lou Gehrig would miss another start at First Base for the New York Yankees. Gehrig removed himself from the lineup. Babe Dahlgren replaced him that day, hitting a home run and a double in a Yankees rout of the Detroit Tigers.
The Wally Pipp photo's back stampings include that of "Pacific & Atlantic Photos." The stamping was used by P & A from 1921-1928, indicating this is from era when Pipp replaced Gehrig. The later Philadelphia Inquirer stamping from July 20, 1949, was most-likely when the photo was used to report on the upcoming "Connie Mack Day" old-timers game, which Pipp was playing in, that was going to be held on August 21, 1949, at Yankee Stadium.
The Babe Dahlgren photo bares an "Acme Newspictures" stamping and a date stamp of "OCT 10, 1938." The caption, still attached, is from September 28, 1939, just before the American League Champion Yankees were to start the World Series against the Reds. It reads "Babe Dahlgren of the Yankees. Babe Dahlgren, above, first baseman for the New York Yankees, winners of the 1939 American League Pennant.
A magnificent pair of original news service photos, each produced in their historical moments. The Pipp photo measures 4 1/8 x 6 1/4 inches, and the Dahlgren measures 5 1/8 x 7 inches. Near Mint condition.