View Full Version : 1860's Baseball CDV from 1880
prewarsports
06-26-2009, 10:32 AM
I am sure many of you saw the 1860's CDV photo of an Iowa City Baseball team that ended on ebay last night. I was watching it and trying to determine the team and the era and was prepared to pony up for it. Everything points to the late 1860's including the photography style on the gilded edge CDV mount, except for one thing. The Catchers mask. Since it was not invented until the late 1870's and not really used in large quantities until about 1879-1882, this photo is a good 10-15 years later than you would think from a quick glance. Still a good looking team photo but the $500 price tag would seem to indicate that the buyer thought it was from the 1860's as well.
19cbb
06-26-2009, 11:09 AM
That edge is not 60's but late 70's or early 80's.
In my opinion, there was nothing on the photograph (style or subject) that could have given the impression of a 60's example.
A couple of examples:
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/3967/milwaukeefront.png
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/8174/parrfront.png
barrysloate
06-26-2009, 11:21 AM
Even the moustaches are in the style men wore in the 1880's. Most CdV's with that gilt edge are from the 1865 period, but this does not look like one of them.
One thing to remember is that 1860s studio photos had plain backgrounds, in particular a plain wall. At most, there might be a nearby chair or table. Lots of ornamental stuff in the background, like a painted window and tree on the wall or painted forest or farmland, is more modern. The 1890s photos often had painted scenes behind the person.
Below is an 1860s cdv with nothing on the wall, and just a chair next to her. The blank wall in particular is period.
http://19thcenturyartofmourning.com/WOMAN%20IN%20MOURNING%20W.%20FURS%20CDV%201860%27S .jpg
Below is an 1890s cabinet card with a busy, ornate and frilly background. The background is just a painting in the studio:
http://ancestorville.com/images/cabinetweddingphoto.jpg