This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/29/2012
Early baseball aficionados will appreciate the artist rendering of G.H. Hastings (publisher and copywriter), “Boston Base Ball Club, 1888” printed pencil sketch.
Endorsed by John A. Andrews & CO.’s Boston Club Cigar, this 26” x 20” original print depicts the starting nine of the Boston Baseball Club in a behind the plate stadium scene. Notables are John Clarkson on the mound, King Kelly behind the plate holding vintage bird cage catchers mask, and Old Hoss Radbourn waiting on the third base line. The artist accurately captured the lace up fronts of the Boston uniforms and striped pill box caps.
Harry Wright and John Ward can also be recognized in the stands. Printed at the top reads, “John A. Andrews & CO.’s, Boston Club Cigar”. On the bottom is “Boston Base Ball Club, 1888” and “Published by Hastings, the photographer, 147 Tremont Street, Boston”.
First in a series of two prints depicting early Boston baseball, the later being the 1889 print, “Opening game of the Boston Baseball club season of 1889”.
As a large format action scene, this is the most detailed of the two Boston prints. Regarding condition, there is foxing to the entire outer border. On the left edge are two small, 1” areas of paper loss towards the bottom left corner. A small one inch tear is found on the bottom edge. On the right edge at the outer most region small amount of paper loss are found. The right edge has signs of water damage. Two horizontal lines are found running through the print. The actual print remains strikingly dark, with no signs of fading. The detailed printing of the stadium, crowd, and baseball scenes remains vibrant.
Exceedingly rare, our research only found documented sales in major auctions in 2002 and again in 2011. Recently discovered in the Boston area, this desirable 19th century print is a perfect candidate for restoration. In my experience, restoration will restore this print to a near mint condition, with only minor paper additions to the outer right edges. LOA Troy R. Kinunen / MEARS
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