DATE: 1937-38 ORIGINAL or REPRINT: Type 2 Original - Printed from the original negative, but in a later period TEAM: Philadelphia Athletics SUBJECT: Billy Werber PHOTOGRAPHER: George Burke APPROXIMATE SIZE: 3-1/2"x5-1/2" MARKS / STAMPING: Handwritten identification of photo's subject. Has standard postcard back but remains postally unused. NUMBER OF PHOTOS: 1 COMMENTS / CONDITION: Offered is an approximately 3-1/2"x5-1/2" real photo postcard of Billy Werber, pictured in his Philadelphia Athletics uniform circa 1937-38. The original photo was taken by George Burke in 1937-38, but this card was produced some time later (no earlier than the 1950's judging by the standard Kodak back). Comes from a large collection of such postcards that we will be listing over the coming months, all having standard postcard backs but being postally unused. Wear on these, if any, is mostly confined to minor corner and edge wear, but see scans for further details including condition. We do not deal in stock images or modern reprints, and all scans shown are of the actual item being sold. If you have any questions about a particular piece, please ask before the auction ends. BIO: William Murray Werber was born in 1908 in Berwyn, MD and died in 2009 in Charlotte, NC. He went to college at Duke University. He played major league baseball from 1930 to 1942 as infielder for the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Athletics, Cincinnati Reds and the New York Giants, and appeared in the 1939 and 1940 World Series. In his first National League season, Werber became the first player ever to bat on television during a game between Cincinnati and the Brooklyn Dodgers at Ebbets Field (August 26, 1939). Werber had a very successful business career following his retirement from baseball. He began selling pension plans, and his work ethic and good communication skills yielded outstanding results. He ultimately oversaw the operations of the Werber Insurance Agency, started by his father in 1904. He was a top producer until his retirement in the early 1970s. He retired to Naples, Florida, but now lives in a retirement home in Charlotte, North Carolina. Werber authored three books over the years; "Circling the Bases", "Hunting is for the Birds" and at age 96 saw his last book published, "Memories of a Ballplayer". He no longer watches baseball; one of his stated reasons is that he was dismayed to see Johnny Damon's long hair and beard. In 2008, Werber said, "I don't like the appearance of a lot of the players. The hair's too long. Their beards are too evident. They're a grubby-looking bunch of caterwaulers." As of 2008, Werber (100) is recognized as the oldest living major league ballplayer; he is the oldest living World Series player, and is also the oldest living former player for either the Yankees or the Red Sox. He is also the final surviving teammate of Babe Ruth, as well as the last player to play against Ruth while he was with the Yankees. Billy Werber was interviewed by Lawrence Ritter in 1963 as part of his research for his book The Glory of Their Times. Photo appears to have been reproduced by either Burke or Brace from an originally black and white photo that was hand-tinted to produce the color image you see. Postcard-sized photo has been mounted on a 4x6 index card. SKU: L09931
Item: L09931
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