This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/10/2010
This is a truly incredible 19th century piece, created when baseball was still in its infancy. Harper’s Weekly, a New York magazine founded in 1857, became well known for their woodcut prints, or images printed from carved blocks of wood. There was a wide range of subjects, including presidents, nature and social life. From the late 1850's to the 1880's they produced a number of baseball woodcuts, usually depicting notable players and teams. Close examination reveals the woodcut images to be made up of lines, like a drawing. Dated June 27th, 1874 and sporting the Harper’s Weekly banner, this nostalgic image depicts the members of the 1874 Championship Boston Red Stockings team, a 52-18 campaign led Hall of Famers Al Spaulding, who pitched every inning of every game during the season, “Orator” Jim O’Rourke, and Harry Wright. The photo features Cal McVey, O’Rourke, Andy Leonard, Spaulding, George Wright, Harry Wright, Deacon White, George Hall, Harry Schaffer, Rosco Barnes, and Thomas Beals, and is astonishing, like-new condition, housed within a 22 ½” by 17 ½” wood frame.