Inaugural Issue of “Sports Illustrated” – Vol. 1, No. 1, Feb. 1949 - by DELL!
Lot 346. Inaugural Issue of “Sports Illustrated” – Vol. 1, No. 1, Feb. 1949 - by DELL! Over the past 87 years, several iterations of “Sports Illustrated” have appeared. Journalist and businessman Stuart Scheftel created the name and published a monthly magazine with that name from 1936-38. His version apparently focused on golf, tennis and skiing. He also published “Young America,” a monthly news magazine for classrooms. A paper shortage forced Scheftel to suspend one of the publications, and he chose to continue “Young America.” One source says Scheftel subsequently sold the name to Dell, which published several monthly editions of its “Sports Illustrated” in 1948 and 1949. Another reports that he sold the name to Time, Inc., in the early 1950s. The Feb. 1949 Dell edition is in a “Life”-sized format, 72 pages with Kentucky basketball guard Ralph Beard on the front cover. Beard was a three-time consensus first-team All-American who helped Kentucky to win two NCAA championships and an NBA All-Star rookie the Indiana Olympians. His career ended when he pleaded guilty to participating in the 1951 City College of New York point shaving scandal. He received a suspended sentence, but the NBA banned him for life. In one article in the magazine, boxing writer Jimmy Cannon urges Joe Louis to “stay retired!” Among the other authors are Red Smith and basketball Hall of Fame coach Clair Bee, and the subjects include winning basketball, the Boston Braves, Ben Hogan, hockey goalie Turk Broda, and Satchel Paige. This scarce issue of “Sports Illustrated” is complete and vg with corner chips and some very small tears on the front cover. Winning Bid $40.
