Press Photo Collection: Erskine and the Enemy

Over the years I've been an avid collector of vintage press photos.  They are relatively inexpensive and oftentimes feature rarely seen and often very candid photographs of a player on your favorite team.  My own collection isn't particularly large, but I do have a few that I have yet to share on this blog.  Over the coming weeks and months I will scan and put most of them up to share with all of you.  Most of them are Dodgers related, but I do have some great photos from the Negro Leagues and Muhammad Ali, as well.  So, stay tuned.

This press photo is dated from June 22, 1952, which is just a few days after Carl Erskine threw a no-hitter against the Cubs.  Check out the written copy below (which is attached to the reverse of the photo) that describes the circumstances surrounding the photo.  Erskine is getting some make-up help from Giants outfielder Monte Irvine before their guest appearance on a Olympic Fund TV Marathon.  See, even bitter rivals can get together for a good cause.  Also, note that the photo was taken by Herb Scharfman.  He was a very well known and highly regarded Sports Illustrated photographer.

Click on any pic to embiggen.