1980 Ted Williams "Mr. .400" Original Painting by LeRoy Neiman with Extensive Provenance....

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Signed on verso by the subject!

1980 Ted Williams "Mr. .400" Original Painting by LeRoy Neiman with Extensive Provenance. As distinctive as Michael Jordan's "Jumpman" silhouette, the coiled conclusion of Ted Williams' swing ranks among the most recognizable postures in American sports iconography, with various angles of it populating trading cards dating back to The Kid's 1939 Play Ball rookie. Like the wide stance of his pinstriped nemesis and fellow top-tier Hall of Fame immortal Joe DiMaggio, it's emblematic of a gilded age of Major League Baseball.

Likewise instantly recognizable and unmistakable, the expressionist chaos of LeRoy Neiman's oil paintings has earned the artist his own legions of fans, with contributions to various posters and program covers for Super Bowls, World Series and Heavyweight Championship bouts delivering the gospel of his brilliance to the masses. This is his most famous image of the greatest hitter that ever lived.

An included ream of correspondence between the artist and the man who commissioned the work, Michael Winter, a lifelong Ted Williams fan, covers a span of three years, highlighted by messages assuring the anxious client that, "A Ted Williams painting is not out of the question," to an excited message, "Look who I was able to get to see my painting!" that accompanied an image of Williams standing beside the work.

Another image of Williams with the 48x18" oil on board finds the iconic slugger inscribing the words, "To Mike Winter, One of my greatest fans, Best always, Ted Williams, 1980" as Winter looks on. Just above, the artist added his own inscription in the same black marker: "Ted Williams painted special for Mike Winter, LeRoy Neiman, New York."

Another letter from Neiman to Mr. Winter discusses the possibility of creating serigraphs from the image, a consideration that ultimately did not come to fruition. However, the Polaroid Corp, a generous Boston donor, provided a special process which made eight-hundred half-size copies of the painting which were sold and generated $1 million for the Jimmy Fund of the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Ted's favorite charity. This edition supplied the work with the "Mr. .400" title that is found in our lot title. We must stress that this painting is the one and only original, however.

A photo of this original can be found on page 214 of the book, "Ted Williams: A Tribute" by Jim Prime and Bill Nowlin, picturing Williams and Winter admiring the painting together, as well as on page 122 of the book, "Winners" by Neiman, showing an image of the painting and an image of Williams with the painting. Both books are included with this lot.

The night before the 1941 season ended, Williams was batting .39955. Many people told him that if he didn't play, it would be rounded up to .400. Ted balked at that and told his manager, Joe Cronin, he wanted to play "all the way." It was a doubleheader and Ted went six for eight, and finished the season batting .406. Mr. .400!

The painting presents without any condition faults to report, framed to final dimensions of 53x22". Originals and photocopies of photos and lengthy correspondence, and other documentary materials including "Ted Williams: A Tribute" by Jim Prime and Bill Nowlin and "Winners" by LeRoy Neiman. Full LOA from PSA/DNA. Full LOA from Beckett Authentication Services.