This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/31/2005.
Yankee Bill Dickey was the premier catcher of the 1930s and 1940s. With six straight seasons batting over .300 and grand slams on consecutive days in 1937, Dickey was a force to be reckoned with both behind the plate and beside it. Beautifully framed to 18-1/2' x 21-1/2", this oil on canvas portrait of Yankees HOF catcher Bill Dickey was painted by pro football HOFer Tommy McDonald. The likeness of Dickey in Yankees cap and pinstripe jersey is stunning and is photographic in quality. McDonald began a portrait business after meeting a fan to whom he had sent an autographed photo. The fan had that photo turned into a portrait painting, which he presented to McDonald who believed that it was much more unique and personal than any plaque or trophy he had received. McDonald's company eventually produced portraits for Heisman Trophy winners, football All-Americans and first-year participants in baseball's All-Star Game. This portrait is signed "T. McDonald" in the lower left corner and is in overall NRMT condition. The portrait belonged to Dickey personally and once hung in Dickey's house. On the back is a sticker that reads "This portrait is presented by the Equitable Life Assurance Society of the U.S."