Lot 24 email save

Don Larsen Perfect Game Baseball, Photo Negative

October 8, 1956 will always be remembered as one of the greatest dates in Yankee Stadium history. On that memorable date, Don Larsen pitched his perfect game as the New York Yankees defeated the Brooklyn Dodgers 2 - 0 in the fifth game of the World Series. Mickey Mantle broke a scoreless tie with a fourth inning home run, while an insurance run was added in the sixth.The achievement is all the more remarkable when one considers that it was the only perfect game in World Series history and the only no-hitter ever to be pitched in post-season play.The 97th and final pitch of the game was a called 3rd strike. As an almost stunned Larsen started walking off the mound, Yogi Berra ran to his pitcher and leaped into his arms, creating an indelible, iconic image in American sports.Ben Price, photographer and Picture Editor of the New York Herald Tribune* was assigned to cover the game. (At the time, the Herald Tribune rivaled The New York Times for newspaper supremacy in New York City.) Utilizing the technology of the time, Ben's large format camera was set on a heavy tripod. During the game, the camera and tripod tumbled over, breaking Ben's arm. The photographer was rushed into the Yankees' locker room where the team physician attended the man in pain, ultimately setting his arm in a cast. Another photographer went on to take the famed shot image of Berra in Larsen's arms that appeared in the Herald Tribune.As Ben lay in the locker room, the jubilant team filed in following Don Larsen's remarkable achievement. Billy Martin spotted the photographer and noting that he was in great discomfort, told him to "hold on." Martin then went to Larsen who, in the spirit of the moment, took a baseball and signed it to the photographer with the inscription: Ben Price Sorry about the Accident. Get well soon. Don Larsen Oct. 8, 1956 Yankees Dodgers World Series No Hit 2 - 0 XXThe baseball remains in very fine condition. Years after the Larsen game, Mr. Price met Hall of Fame pitcher Bob Feller and took the occasion to have Feller add his autograph to the ball including the date of 4/26/1974. Importantly, this lot includes the Don Larsen baseball and the negative for the famed photograph used by the Herald Tribune.

View Guernsey's next auction.

Similar lots up for auction