Joe DiMaggio Memorabilia Buying Guide

By Sean J. O'Rourke

Often called a "picture-perfect" player, New York Yankees center fielder Joe DiMaggio is one of the greatest players in the history of baseball. Joltin' Joe debuted for the Yankees in May of 1936 batting ahead of future Hall of Famer Lou Gehrig. The duo combined to form the best-known one-two combination in baseball history, leading the Yanks to World Series victories in both 1936 and 1937. DiMaggio became an instant superstar for his unforgiving yet graceful style of play. Despite the fact that he is arguably the greatest defensive center fielder in big league history, it's impossible to look past his incredible accomplishments at the plate. Beginning May 15, 1941 DiMaggio began his run toward one of the greatest record in sports history: Recording a hit in 56 consecutive games. A mark that still stands to this day, it's often referred to as the most mythic of sports achievements. DiMaggio would go on to win his second Most Valuable Player Award after a season that saw him lead the Yankees to a World Series victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers. As the United States entered World War II, DiMaggio enlisted in the Air Force and served 31 months in California, Hawaii and New Jersey. Upon his return to the Yankees in 1946, DiMaggio slugged 25 home runs and drove in 95 runs. Before injuries finally forced Joltin' Joe into retirement, he led New York to World Series Championships in four of his final five seasons. He was inducted into Baseball's Hall of Fame in 1955 and is remembered as one of the greatest baseball players of all-time.

DiMaggio is one of the most-accomplished athletes in sports history and is remembered today as one a true American hero who fought for both his team and his nation. For the serious baseball enthusiast, adding the legendary Joseph Paul DiMaggio to your collection is paramount. The preeminent Yankee, I highly recommend adding the one and only Joltin' Joe DiMaggio to every honest sports room. For those looking to do so, I've compiled some of the premier items in our collection to help you distinguish your collection from the rest.

• Signed Baseball: Authentic autographed baseballs make a great sports collection. This authentic baseball is hand-signed by legendary New York Yankee Joe DiMaggio is distinct blue ink. A gotta-have item for the serious baseball enthusiast, who could ever forget DiMaggio's all-time record 56-game hitting streak or graceful athleticism in center field? Regarded as one of the greatest North American athletes of all-time, this Joe DiMaggio-autographed baseball is a grand slam addition for any-sized sports collection and comes complete with a Hollywood Collectibles Certificate of Authenticity. His trademark No. 5 enshrined forever at both Monument Park in Yankee Stadium and the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, don't pass up this opportunity to add one of the game's all-time greatest heroes to your team with this baseball autographed by the one and only Joltin' Joe DiMaggio.

• Signed & Framed Time Life Magazine Cover: A great cornerstone for every baseball collection, this framed Life magazine is hand-signed by the legendary Joe DiMaggio in distinct black ink. Fitted with a top-quality frame and ready to hang today, this autographed Time Life cover is the perfect item for anybody looking to make a unique addition to their collection. This first-class cover of the August 1, 1949 issue of Life prominently displays a smiling Joltin' Joe and was released just months before he led the Yankees to their twelfth World Series Championship. Arrives with a Hollywood Collectibles Certificate of Authenticity, own a piece of history today with this custom-framed Joe DiMaggio autographed Time Life cover!

• Joe DiMaggio & Ted Williams Autographed Baseball Collection: Here is an ultra-rare item many baseball zealots can only dream about! This cased set of two baseballs, one hand-signed by Ted Williams and one hand-signed by Joe DiMaggio, is the ultimate collectible for the true sports enthusiast. The duo of Williams and DiMaggio made 1941 an unforgettable year for baseball fans as "Teddy Baseball" had his record .406 season while "Joltin' Joe" strung together his unmatched 56-game hitting streak. Two members of the Baseball Hall of Fame and gentlemen who personified the spirit of America, Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio are brought together with this baseball set. The baseballs are mounted and enclosed in a solid glass case while an engraved nameplate is featured at the base of the stand. An absolute grand slam addition to even the most-accomplished sports collection, this set comes complete with a Hollywood Collectibles Certificate of Authenticity. Don't pass up this opportunity to own an immortal piece of baseball history with this signed baseball set of Hall of Famers Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio!

• Framed Autographed Induction Day Photo w/ Career Statistics: As Joltin' Joe made history on the diamond with his bat, glove and intellect, he helped the New York  Yankees became an entity known around the world. One of the most graceful gentlemen the game has ever seen, this framed 8x10 autographed photo collage of Joe DiMaggio is the perfect way to enshrine one of sports' greatest heroes in your very own home. Custom-fit with a wooden frame, this top-quality photo of Joltin' Joe is set over a blue marble backdrop and an autographed playing record of Joe's career accomplishments. Along with his personal statistics, this beautiful collage includes a very prominent display of DiMaggio's being inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame on July 25, 1955. Above DiMaggio's photo and statistics' sheet is an illustrated display of the unmistakable Yankees Stadium facade that adorns above the Yankee bleachers, billboard and scoreboard at the "Big Ballpark In The Bronx". Last not but least, DiMaggio's nickname, "The Yankee Clipper," is written in New York Yankee script. Framed and an absolutely beautiful asset for your home, this collage comes complete with a Hollywood Collectibles Certificate of Authenticity. An essential for the true Yankee fan, add this can't-miss Joe DiMaggio autographed collage to your collection today!

• Signed 56th-Game Lithograph: On July 16, 1941, the Yankee Clipper Joe DiMaggio collected a hit in his 56th consecutive game. The most-heralded record in sports, no player in the more than 50 years since DiMaggio's streak ended has even come close to matching it. What may be even more amazing is that after Joe's 56-game hit streak ended, the Yankee center fielder would go on to record a hit in his next 16 games, totaling 72 out of 73 games. In what is the perfect way to enshrine not only his unmatchable streak but also the legend himself, this brilliant limited-edition lithograph captures Joe DiMaggio collecting a hit for his 56th consecutive game. On top of it all, DiMaggio has hand-signed this beautiful lithograph in distinct black ink below the inscription "My 56th Game Hit." This is truly a great item for any true baseball fan and comes accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity from Signature Editions Limited. Don't pass on the opportunity to stake your claim in a piece of baseball history with this very limited-edition Joe DiMaggio 56th Game Hit lithograph!

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