Saul Steinberg

Collection of Marshall Smith, Florida (acquired directly from the artist in 1955)

Thence by descent to the present owner

”Steinberg at the Bat,” LIFE, July 11, 1955, p. 59, illustrated

“Steinberg began his study [of baseball] by buying 18 books on the subject. Having learned where home plate was, he proceeded to the scene of action. The stadium looked enormous. Inside heroes and villains contended under the eyes of old men called managers who dressed like kids with birds on their chests.

As he gathered material, Steinberg got the baseball bug. To become more intimate with his new-found idols he accompanied the Milwaukee Braves on a road trip and after each game timidly entered the clubhouse, shook each player’s hand reverently and left quietly. Then, when he felt he had the subject in hand, Steinberg bought a catcher’s outfit to get in the mood and wore I as he set down the all-American impressions on these pages.”

-Introductory text to “Steinberg at the Bat,” a pictorial essay with illustrations by the artist published in LIFE, July 11, 1955, p. 56-61.