1891? Photograph on eBay

[Old Hoss]

Just sold on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=120686858740&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

Does anyone know what this is? I was watching it, but didn't have the time to do the proper research.

Anyway, it would be great to hear what others think.

Thanks,
Charles

[slidekellyslide]

It could be American University in Washington DC...I think it's a bit later than 1891..possibly mid to late 1890s.

[murphusa]

American University has never had a baseball team.

[barrysloate]

The tall guy in the upper right sure looks like a major leaguer to me...but can't say who offhand. Anybody else notice that?

[murphusa]

More than likely it is a photo from the American Association. The young man in the middle sitting on the floor is also well known

[Old Hoss]

Some of the faces seemed familiar to me, too. However, I couldn't actually make any matches. For example, the pitcher looks quite distinct, and like a major leaguer, but I couldn't actually match him to anyone.

And can anyone think of the reason for the "American" on the uniforms? It doesn't match up with any team names that I know.

[scooter729]

It could be American University in Washington DC...I think it's a bit later than 1891..possibly mid to late 1890s.

FWIW, November 25, 1891 was a Wednesday, so it would correspond with the writing on the picture to date it to 1891.

[Heritage Sports]

Neat image. My best guess is that it's not a professional league team--the name "American" would be a little odd in any professional context I could imagine. I'd think it's some sort of industrial league team representing a company with a name like "American Tool & Die" or maybe even a newspaper--The American Standard. For every old photo of a pro team there are scores of amateur shots, so from a pure numbers standpoint it makes sense as well.