Honus Wagner with Equipment photograph

Date1952 February 17

DescriptionA black-and-white photograph of Honus Wagner captured seated with his baseball equipment gathered around him. Wagner is smiling widely and looking off to the left. He holds his cleats in his right hand, while his baseball glove sits on his lap and his two baseball bats lean up against the chair. The caption on the back of the photograph (not shown) states, "End of the Trail Honus Wagner, generally rated the greatest of all shortstops, packs away his baseball equipment for keeps in Pittsburgh after more than 40 years on the diamond, 37 of them with the Pittsburgh Pirates. As coach and player. He is retiring on pension shortly before his 78th birthday. 2/17/52." An additional caption on the reverse (not shown) reads, "When Honus hung 'em up:In February, 1952. Honus Wagner decided he had had enough of baseball after 43 years. After his 76th birthday, the greatest old Pirate shortstop put away his spikes for the last time." An additional copy of this image, cropped to create a portrait, exists. A caption on the back of this copy (not shown) states,, "Pittsburgh, Dec. 6--Honus (Hans) Wagner, legendary Pittsburgh Pirates iron man, died early today at 81 at his home in nearby Carnegie. The all-time great shortstop, known as the Flying Dutchman, passed away in his sleep. Mr. Wagner in ill health in past years made his last..." An additional caption on the back of the photograph (not shown) reads, "Wagner Ill Honus Wagner, 81-year-old all-time baseball great, continues seriously ill at his Pittsburgh, PA., home, according to a member of his family. Nov. 28. Wagner has been bedfast since a fall in his home two months ago." Based on the captions and the career of Wagner, this photograph was taken on February 17, 1952.

Object numberBL-1968-01451-0870

Publisher New York World-Telegram

Subject Wagner, Honus, 1874-1955

Attributes

Classificationsphotographic materials

Collection NumberBA PHT 001 New York World-Telegram photographic materials

Dimensions8.25 x 6.75 in.

Copyrighthttp://rightsstatements.org/vocab/CNE/1.0/

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