Some Help On An All Star Team

[dallen]

I came accross this studio cabinet/photo (it is 15" by 20" with mount) entitled "All Star Ball Teams American and National Leagues"

Based on when the players played I would date this as circa 1902 and it includes Beckley, Chesbro, Crawford, Joss and Keeler.

I have searched for some background to no avail. Not sure if it is a barnstorming team (the Marceau Studio who produced it was in LA) or something like that.

Any help would be much appreciated.

[Leon]

Doug
I don't know too much about the history of the cabinet but what a great card. Thanks for showing it. I especially like Joss's haircut. It reminds me of back in the WIG days ......

[prewarsports]

Doug

I remember seeing that in person at one time, and I am guessing it is unique. The one I saw was large (probably 18 inches tall or so) and at the time was mounted to something more modern like white styrofoam board and that was the only reason I did not buy it, but I am sure that could easily be removed by a conservator.

I know there was a Barnstorming tour in 1902 and that is when Waddell signed with Los Angeles briefly, and I bet that an LA studio had the cabinet made up to promote the tour or maybe just to sell to tourists (I have no idea of these players were on the tour or not but I guess it was a promo item for the game). It is a GREAT photo and it is one of the few things I have passed on over the years that I sometimes wish I had bought.

Rhys Yeakley

[prewarsports]

Hey Doug, I got it for ya!

Quoted from a biography of "Sid Mercer"
quote--------------------------------------------------------------
Mercer, along with old-time St. Louis Browns' star Tip O'Neill, organized a three-month barnstorming tour of the west. Teams of American and National Leaguers played each other almost daily in cities between Chicago and Los Angeles. Once in California the teams split up with each playing exhibitions against local clubs. The Americans included Harry Davis, Monte Cross, Fielder Jones, Bobby Wallace, Addie Joss, and Mercer. The Nationals big names were Jake Beckley, Sam Crawford, Willie Keeler, Jesse Tannehill and Jack Chesbro.

The scheduled tour finished in San Francisco with the Americans and Nationals playing a three game series. The teams laid over in San Francisco for a few days of relaxation before heading back to Chicago. It was then, on January 13, 1903, that Mercer left the teams at the Langham Hotel and registered at the Occidental Hotel under the name of George Murray of Philadelphia. After penning several notes, he ran a tube from the gas jet into his mouth and asphyxiated himself.

I will accept a free item in the next auction for the research! :)

Take Care, Great Photo and dated from late 1902-Early 1903 makes it very special!

Rhys Yeakley

[dallen]

I am speechless (for those who know me that is rare) that is great informtion! Thanks for the help.

By the way it is the same piece. The photo is mounted on an embossed cardboard (period) and then mounted on a more modern board. The photo is spectacular.

I definitely owe you one.

All the best,
Doug

[barrysloate]

Great research...and poor Mercer. What a terrible end to that story.

[bcbgcbrcb]

If the piece can be pinpointed to 1902 rather than 1903, I believe that it would mark the only known 1902 image of Joss..........

[Jaybird]

I've recently been doing some research on Chesbro for another purpose and came up with this article from the November 18, 1902 edition of the San Francisco Call which mentions one of the games played in Riverside, CA.

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af353/jasonleemiller/Nov18.jpg

And here's from the December 26th edition of the same paper:

http://i1023.photobucket.com/albums/af353/jasonleemiller/Dec26.jpg

[benchod]

So
What auction will it be in? :)

Nice work Rhys!

[dallen]

Ok I have to be careful about not doing a commercial about my amazing upcoming auctions...just kidding.


It will be in our February 2012 auction and actually be featured amongst a pretty amazing collection of 19th and early 20th century material.

Thanks everyone for the research help!