Helmar “This Great Game” Card #67 – Luke Easter (Cleveland Indians)

This radiant Helmar art card depicts Luke Easter of the Cleveland Indians, his confident smile and relaxed grip on the bat set against a glowing sky of warm orange and deep violet hues. The composition’s balance of color and poise reflects Easter’s calm power and the larger-than-life aura he carried to every ballpark. Rendered in gouache with luminous tonal depth, the artwork captures both strength and humanity in this beloved slugger’s presence.

Luke Easter (1915–1979) was one of the most prodigious power hitters of his era, a towering first baseman whose booming home runs became legend in both the Negro Leagues and the Major Leagues. Debuting with the Cleveland Indians at age 34, Easter still managed to belt 31 homers in 1950 and remained a feared hitter for years after. His earlier stardom with the Homestead Grays and later leadership in the minor leagues made him a symbol of perseverance and grace in baseball’s integration years.

Helmar’s “This Great Game” series honors baseball’s timeless heroes through richly detailed, hand-painted designs. Each card channels the spirit of the game’s golden age, blending vintage gum card aesthetics with the craftsmanship of fine art to celebrate the enduring heart of America’s pastime.

Original gouache painting by Sanjay Verma.