Photographer George Brace has beautifully captured a young Monte Irvin in this 8" x 10" news service photograph, shot sometime between 1949-55. Irvin was a star for the Newark Eagles of the Negro Leagues before making his way into the Giants lineup as a full-time starter by 1950. In 1951, following Bobby Thomson's "Shot Heard 'Round the World," Irvin famously constituted one third of the first all-black outfield in major league history as Game 1 of the 1951 World Series got underway. Irvin patrolled left field while fellow future Hall of Famer Willie Mays started in center with teammate Hank Thompson in right. Irvin was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1973, and served as the assistant director of public relations in the commissioners office from 1968 until 1984.

As evidenced by several small areas where flaked emulsion has been lightly painted in, along with the included PSA letter, it is apparent some editorial masking has been removed from the surface of this photo to reveal the image underneath. Verso includes several credit stamps, including one attributed to George Burke & George Brace, along with that of the Hillerich & Bradsby Co. out of Louisville, KY. Measures 8" x 10" overall. Authenticated as a Type 1 photo by PSA/DNA.