The 1950s saw the popularity of spectator sports explode, with economic prosperity and the advent of television fueling the growth of professional sports in ways unimaginable a decade earlier. Another reason for the increased interest in spectator sports was Sports Illustrated, created by Time Magazine magnate Henry Luce, who wanted to create a magazine geared towards America’s burgeoning interest in spectator sports. Sports Illustrated captured the minds of readers with their in-depth articles, bringing to sports the type of care and journalism seen in TIME Magazine. Now synonymous with sports, the first issue of Sports Illustrated hit stands on August 16, 1954 and featured a colored picture of Hall of Fame third baseman and then-Milwaukee Braves centerfielder Eddie Matthews at the plate facing off against a New York Giants pitcher.

This presented 8 ¼ x 11 ½ -inch first edition Sports Illustrated magazine was signed by Mathews and features the slugger in mid-swing against the New York Giants. The cover is labeled “First Issue Sports Illustrated August 16, 1954” in bold orange and white type. The cost of the first issue? 25 cents. The issue was 144 pages and contained in-depth sports articles and ads that reflect the zeitgeist of the times. The first-edition magazine features some edging, with the bottom right corner upturned. Matthews signed the cover of the magazine on the bottom left corner with a blue marker. The signed first-edition magazine comes with an LOA from JSA.

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