This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 12/10/2001.
Sports Illustrated collections abound in basements and garages, but no SI stack worth its salt is complete without the first-ever issue of August 10, 1954 and the second anniversary issue dated August 20, 1956. Longtime SI devotees can peg the inaugural issue on sight by its riveting cover shot of Eddie Mathews taking a cut set against a night crowd in Milwaukee's County Stadium, which also appears on the cover of the anniversary issue as an inset on a white background. These issues are larger in size at 8-1/2" x 11-3/4" than today's SI and have a different logo design but the dramatic photography and topics that cover everything from pennant races to fishing to bubblegum cards to dog grooming have endured for nearly three decades. The two issues are in near mint condition with the original subscription mail-in cards still affixed.