The Earliest Known Photograph of Lou Gehrig, from The Lou Gehrig Collection....

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The Iron Foal...

The Earliest Known Photograph of Lou Gehrig, from The Lou Gehrig Collection.

UPDATE: This lot includes a letter of provenance from the consignor.

Absolutely magical turn-of-the-century cabinet photograph captures a cherubic Lou Gehrig in the first year of his life, unquestionably the earliest image of the Yankees legend that exists. It is important that we state clearly that our identification is based upon the source, a (later, unknown hand) handwritten identification on verso, and the undeniable resemblance to Gehrig, which are frankly the strongest points of evidence that could reasonably be expected for any baby photo nearing twelve decades of age.

We must also disclose that Henry Yee of PSA/DNA will not make official identification of subjects unless they are ironclad, and thus no formal paperwork will be issued, but Yee acknowledges the very strong likelihood that this is indeed Lou Gehrig, and adds, "It is consistent with a photo that would have been made when Gehrig was a baby."

We also note that the studio stamping at the bottom of the mount features an address on the Upper East Side of Manhattan, the neighborhood where Gehrig was born and raised. Finally, the adorable youngster grips a bell in his left hand, a clue perhaps not quite as strong as the others, but still notable for the consistency with a left-handed thrower and slugger.

The image area measures approximately 5.75x4", with the cabinet mount finalizing the dimensions at 7x5". We find typical chipping and wear to the mount, and toning/soiling to the surfaces, but all condition concerns fall well within the range of acceptable. A singularly significant artifact that rates among the most desirable of all contents of The Lou Gehrig Collection. Letter of provenance from consignor.