Pride of the Yankees Original Storyboards 1942 | Weiss Auctions
A Landmark Sports Film. A Once-in-a-Generation Archive.
Weiss Auctions is proud to offer a remarkable group of over 50 original charcoal storyboards created by Goldwyn Studio artists during the design and production of The Pride of the Yankees (1942), one of the most celebrated sports films ever produced. Each board measures approximately 15″ x 20″ and was used to map out key scenes, camera angles, and visual sequencing during filming.
The group includes several boards featuring Babe Ruth, who appeared in the film as himself. The same auction also features Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig signatures and a 1934 Yankees team-signed baseball featuring both Ruth and Gehrig, making this an unmissable event for collectors of baseball history.
The Pride of the Yankees
The film tells the story of Lou Gehrig, the Hall of Fame first baseman whose career was cut short by ALS, a disease now commonly known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease. Gary Cooper’s portrayal of Gehrig remains one of the most iconic performances in Hollywood history, and the film’s climactic farewell speech at Yankee Stadium is among the most recognized moments in American cinema.
The Pride of the Yankees was nominated for eleven Academy Awards and remains the defining cinematic tribute to Gehrig’s legacy. It was produced at the height of Hollywood’s Golden Age and stands as a cornerstone of the sports biography genre.
Original charcoal storyboards from the 1942 Goldwyn production of The Pride of the Yankees
The Storyboards
Production storyboards are working documents, created by hand, used on set, and typically discarded after filming wraps. A group of over 50 surviving boards from a single production of this importance is an extraordinary find. These are not reproductions or publicity art. They are the original artist drawings used to plan and communicate the visual language of one of the most important sports films ever made.
As original production material from a film of this stature, these storyboards are rarely encountered on the open market. The group is an exceptional and visually striking archive that would present very well if individually framed. Whether acquired as a collection or broken apart as individual display pieces, this is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for fans of baseball history, classic Hollywood, and original film art.
Babe Ruth Appears as Himself
The group includes several boards featuring Babe Ruth, who appeared in the film as himself, a remarkable crossover of baseball legend and Hollywood storytelling. These boards offer a direct look into how the filmmakers conceived and choreographed Ruth’s scenes during pre-production. The same auction also features Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig signatures and a 1934 Yankees team-signed baseball featuring both Ruth and Gehrig.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are film storyboards and why are they collectible?
Storyboards are hand-drawn illustrations created during pre-production to plan camera angles, scene composition, and visual sequencing before filming begins. They function as a visual script used by directors, cinematographers, and crew. Because they are working documents rather than finished art, most are discarded after production wraps, making surviving examples from major films genuinely rare and historically significant.
Did Babe Ruth actually appear in The Pride of the Yankees?
Yes. Babe Ruth appeared in the film as himself, portraying his real-life friendship and rivalry with Lou Gehrig. Several boards in this lot depict scenes involving Ruth, making them especially significant for collectors at the intersection of baseball history and Hollywood memorabilia.
Can the boards be individually framed and displayed?
Absolutely. At approximately 15″ x 20″ each, the boards are an ideal size for framing. A selection of individually framed boards would make a striking display for a sports memorabilia room, home office, or gallery setting. The charcoal-on-paper medium photographs beautifully and conveys the energy of a live production environment.
How rare is original production material from this film?
Extremely rare. The Pride of the Yankees was produced in 1942 and original behind-the-scenes production material from the film almost never surfaces on the open market. A cohesive archive of over 50 working storyboards is the kind of find that comes along once in a generation for collectors of film history and baseball memorabilia.
More Auction Highlights
This lot is part of our May 28th sports auction featuring some of the finest collectibles we have offered. Other highlights include:
May 28th Sports Auction
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