Lot #1926 1913 Jim Thorpe Photo

Original 1913 composite news photograph capturing New York Giants rookies Jim Thorpe and Ferdie Schupp. As noted in the original paper news caption on the reverse, these images were taken at the Giants' spring training facility in Marlin Springs, Texas. As such, this is one of, if not the earliest known photo of Thorpe as a member of the New York Giants, making it one of the most significant Thorpe photos in the hobby. Acknowledged by most as the greatest all-around athlete of the twentieth century, Thorpe played six seasons in the Major Leagues, before starting a successful pro football career in the 1920s. Ironically, it was while playing professional baseball for two seasons at the semi-pro level prior to the 1912 Olympics which eventually resulted in the International Olympic Committee stripping Thorpe of his medals in the spring of 1913. It was only after Thorpe lost his amateur status that the Major League teams began recruiting him, with Giants manager John McGraw the winner in that pursuit. Two Underwood & Underwood credit stamps appear on the reverse, along with the original news caption.