174 - Original vintage black-and-white gelatin silver press photograph featuring University of Illinois football standout and team captain Robert "Bob" Reitsch, dated August 29, 1927. The powerful close-up portrait captures the formidable All-American center crouching on the practice field in his three-point stance, staring directly into the camera lens with intense focus. The photograph features classic vintage newsroom photo retouching, with original dark gouache paint airbrushing outlining his back and head harness to isolate the subject for publication print.

Original vintage black-and-white gelatin silver press photograph featuring University of Illinois football standout and team captain Robert "Bob" Reitsch, dated August 29, 1927. The powerful close-up portrait captures the formidable All-American center crouching on the practice field in his three-point stance, staring directly into the camera lens with intense focus. The photograph features classic vintage newsroom photo retouching, with original dark gouache paint airbrushing outlining his back and head harness to isolate the subject for publication print. The reverse of the photograph features a handwritten editorial newsroom annotation reading "Bob Reitsch, Illinois captain". It is heavily stamped with official archive markers, including a blue ink property stamp reading "Watch Your Credit Line – Photograph by Underwood & Underwood, 205 West Washington St., Chicago, Ill." and a purple archive stamp from the Newspaper Enterprise Association (N.E.A.) Reference Department dated "AUG 29 1927". It also bears handwritten repository collection markers (B2036, A462094, W55927). Bob Reitsch was the anchor and revered captain of head coach Robert Zuppke's legendary 1927 Illinois Fighting Illini squad. He led the team to an undefeated 7–0–1 record, capturing both the Big Ten Conference title and the Consensus National Championship. Reitsch's stellar individual play earned him First-Team All-American honors at the end of the season. This represents a pinnacle piece of Big Ten and national collegiate gridiron history, capturing a true giant of early American football right before his historic championship campaign kicked off. Preserved in excellent vintage condition. Medium: Original vintage silver gelatin press photograph Provenance: From the inventories of Artelisted. Note on Dimensions: Media press photos measure mainly 10" x 8" and/or 7" x 9". Some minor size variances can occur due to the normal historical manipulation process. THIS IS A RESERVE AUCTION, and the final price will include a Buyer’s Premium. Please, view our full terms and conditions. ARTELISTED IS LICENSED IN THE US STATES OF FLORIDA AND TEXAS. All the items purchased through Artelisted must be shipped. We no longer offer or accept local pick-ups for any sold lots. The shipment will be made directly by Artelisted. Shipping insurance is the responsibility of the buyer. Ask us if you want to add insurance cost. Note that if there is loss or damage due to bad handling by the transporter, this loss will be assumed only by the buyer. We mainly ship via USPS Ground Advantage, UPS and Fedex International. If you do not pay during the 48 hrs after the end of the event, your credit card on file will be charged 2 days after the auction. All items must be paid in full within five (5) days of the sale date. Any lots remaining unpaid after the 5-day period will be considered and reported in default. The unpaid items may be re-sold at Artelisted sole discretion and without further notice to the original bidder. Items returned to our facility after shipping (for any reason, including undeliverable addresses or refused delivery) will be held for a maximum of thirty (30) days. To have a returned item shipped again, the buyer must pay all new shipping and handling fees. If re-shipping fees are not paid within the 30-day holding period, the items will be considered forfeited. In such cases, no refunds will be issued, and the items may be re-sold at the auction house's discretion. We have included quality images showing its current condition. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.