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Jim Bunning is presented in Helmar’s T4 series with Detroit at the completion of his pitching motion, his body angled forward as his throwing arm drops across the front of his body and his glove remains tucked near his side. The cream Tigers uniform, dark blue cap with red “D,” blue undersleeve, and dark stockings with red trim give the figure a strong Detroit identity, while the wide stance and forward lean create a clear sense of momentum. Bunning’s eyes remain fixed toward the plate, and the compact finish captures the concentration and balance of a pitcher known for precision as well as power.
The original artwork was painted by Natalia Valiukavich in watercolor. She develops the pale uniform with layered cream, gray, ochre, and muted blue-green washes, using deeper shadows through the shirt, waist, and trousers to emphasize the forward shift of Bunning’s body. The blue cap, undersleeve, and stockings provide the strongest color accents, while the red details in the cap, lettering, and socks add restrained points of contrast. The background is dominated by a dark, cool-toned grandstand, painted in deep blues and grays, which sets off the lighter uniform with considerable force. The bright green field below provides a second contrast and helps isolate the figure cleanly within the composition.
James Paul “Jim” Bunning became one of the outstanding right-handed pitchers of the late 1950s and 1960s. He established himself with the Detroit Tigers as a durable strikeout pitcher with a powerful fastball, sharp breaking pitches, and exceptional control. Bunning was also known for his competitiveness and methodical approach on the mound, qualities that helped him become a consistent front-line starter in both the American and National Leagues.
Bunning won 224 games during a seventeen-season major-league career and struck out 2,855 batters. He led his league in strikeouts three times and threw a no-hitter for Detroit against Boston in 1958. After joining Philadelphia, he pitched a perfect game against the New York Mets on June 21, 1964, becoming the first pitcher of the modern era to throw no-hitters in both major leagues and the first National League pitcher to throw a perfect game since 1880. He was selected to nine All-Star Games and finished among the leading pitchers of his generation in strikeouts, innings, and complete games.
Numbered #42, the Bunning card presents one of Detroit’s premier pitchers of the period in a compact follow-through that emphasizes control and concentration. The forward lean, lowered throwing arm, dark blue Detroit accents, bright field, and deep shadowed grandstand give card #42 a particularly strong visual contrast within the T4 series. Bunning’s 224 victories, 2,855 strikeouts, 1958 no-hitter, 1964 perfect game, and nine All-Star selections make him one of the most historically significant pitching subjects in the issue. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1996.
Original watercolor artwork by Natalia Valiukavich.
- Description: End of throw; blue stadium seating
- Team: Detroit Tigers
- Population (# Sold): 17
- First Date Sold: 2022-09-13
- Latest Date Sold: 2026-08-11
- Card Status: Active
- # Sold in past year: 4
- Highest Auction: $ 68.00
- Average Auction Result: $ 18.92
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Visit these teammates on the Detroit Tigers in the Helmar T4 series
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