This lot is closed. Bidding ended on 7/8/2004.
In 1933, the NFL added three teams to the league: the Cincinnati Reds, Philadelphia Eagles and Pittsburgh Pirates (who became the Steelers in 1940). Having lost all their games and being outscored 243-10 in 1934, the Reds franchise was sold to a St. Louis semi-pro team called the Gunners, who managed a win in the three games remaining on the 1934 schedule with their original players (the remaining losses came after the Reds were added to the roster). The Gunners eventually folded after the 1937 season. This is a large 23" x 48" wood framed black and white panoramic team photo of the 1933 St. Louis Gunners (right before they joined the NFL), picturing all 19 players with the trainer, doctor and coach, including their star running back Chester "Swede" Johnson (second from right, bottom row). The team is posed in two rows on the gridiron, with industrial buildings and telephone poles in background, a great period shot! There are 21 vintage fountain pen signatures on this historic early NFL photo and the players added their college beneath their autographs (the coach even added his address!). In the lower right corner is written, "Taylor, Photo, Dec. 1933." Comes with a letter from PSA/DNA. A rare opportunity to own a piece of early NFL history!