Masterpieces and Uncommon Commons XXV
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on:
2/12/2010
To commemorate the 1894 Baltimore Championship team, Baltimore based Betz Studios issued a cabinet card including 16 sepia-toned player oval images, with each player depiction measuring approximately 1” x ¾”. Currently un-cataloged, this is the only recorded copy in existence, and it includes an incredible 7 Hall of Famers from the 19th century. Dressed in formal attire, the 7 Cooperstown inductees are Dan Brouthers, Ned Hanlon, Hughie Jennings, "Wee Willie" Keeler, Joe Kelley, John McGraw and Wilbert Robinson. Never, can we remember any card incorporating such an illustrious list of iconic players. The remaining 9 players on this ultra scarce cabinet are Frank Bonner, Steve Brodie, Boileryard Clarke, Duke Esper, Kid Gleason, Bill Hawke, George Hemming, Sadie McMahon, and Heinie Reitz. With their laundry list of Cooperstown inductees, Baltimore managed to win the 1894 National League regular season championship by three games over the New York club via their unparalleled base running tactics including the newly established “hit and run”. While they would eventually lose to the New York club in the “best of seven” Temple Cup postseason series, no 19th century team could boast the group of prestigious Hall of Famers that encompassed the heart of this legendary club.
All 16 player portrait images are depicted on a gold background setting with the sepia-toned poses reflecting incredible contrast and registration equivalent to their original state some 116 years ago. A baseball image graces the center of the picture with the inserted typography reading BALTIMORE BASE BALL CLUB”. The lower left portion of the cardboard mount includes the “Betz” studio name in italic bold print with the lower right portion providing the address “415 & 417 N. WASHINGTON ST., BALTIMORE, MD. The rounded corners retain a majority of their original shape as this mount was intended to included round shaped corners, with only the lower left corner depicting some layering. The edging is fine, minimal staining/wear is evident along the lower border and no major creasing is evident. Unquestionably, the entire obverse side exhibits solid “VG – VG/EX”: characteristics. Unfortunately, notation shave been made on the reverse side blank back that read “BALTIMORE ORIOLES BASEBALL TEAM PLAYERS 1894”, accounting for the “Authentic” technical assessment. Regardless, and of greater significance than any technical grade is that this un-cataloged 116 year old offering is one of the rarest cabinet cards circulating throughout the hobby, serving as a critical reminder to the evolution of our National Pastime via the 7 prestigious Hall of Famers that helped shape the game to its current standing. With this being the sole recorded copy by both SGC or PSA, quite possibly, this “one of a kind” museum worthy relic may never again surface in our illustrious hobby!
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