Need info on a photo...

[tlwise12]

During the National in Baltimore last year my fiance wanted to buy me something. So, she took $60 and came back with the photo below. I love it, but know nothing about it.

Can anyone shed some light on this one? Approximate date, why that date, and anything else....

Do all the guys looks caucasian or do some look darker skinned?

Travis

[BigJJ]

Now that is a great fiance! Number of workman gloves, and number of what appear to be string handled bats. Workman gloves were worn by a number of players on both hands. I do not see in my opinion a darker skin player, I think the gentleman is wearing two workman gloves, but it could be, question as to whether he is wearing workman gloves or not. Dating is interesting and I am curious to hear others thoughts. Looks to be a cabinet photo and not a cdv correct? Given the amount of equipment and type and relatively modern proportioned shape of bats, and string, workman, etc., I would date c.1885-1890. Can you make out what appears to be a vertical dedication above a particular player? Might be a player name. if a dedication to someone, Perhaps he married the person to whom it is dedicated, might get the name of the player from wedding records, though all of this is likely a long shot in many ways, including that the photo won her over. :) would be curious to see an image of the back, does the back state who the maker is and/or any other information.

[GKreindler]

VERY cool shot, Travis. Don't know if it helps much, but here's the image after some Photoshop play.

Good luck!

Graig

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b158/GKreindler/1800scabinetcopy_zps01c2874e.jpg (http://s19.photobucket.com/user/GKreindler/media/1800scabinetcopy_zps01c2874e.jpg.html)

[drc]

Late 1880s-90s. The dark colored mount backing in particular gives that period, supported by the uniforms and equipment. The dark high top shoes and ring bats were popular in that era. In the 1860s-70s they typically wore white shoes-- so I always look at the shoes in a photo. The catchers mask was invented in the 1870s, but you won't don't seem them in photos much until the 1880s. The catchers mask alone shoes it's not an 1860s photo.

It's an albumen photo, meaning the paper photograph was made by the albumen process-- the popular type of the day. Old Judge and Old Judge Cabinets are album photos. It could be a cabinet card, but that depends on the size.

They all look white to me.

It was a good buy at $60. I would expect for it to be sale for more.

[tlwise12]

Yea she's pretty great!

Personally, I was thinking the late 1800s. Thanks for the photoshop work as it really seems to bring it to life. At first, I thought the individual with writing above his head may have been colored, but I'm not so sure anymore.

On the back seems to be a list of men next to their "better halfs," which is pretty fitting as mine bought this. Also on the back, thre appears to be the date '90. As for the size, it is approximately the size of a n173 but long ways.

[tlwise12]

Instead of starting a new thread, I thought I would add on to this one. I also purchased this at the last national. This looks to be a high school team of some sort. IMHO it seems to be from the 1910s or so, but I really have no idea.

[deebro041]

From Graig's photoshop picture it looks almost possible that the catcher is wearing a tipped finger catcher's glove, which perhaps could bring more value.

[Leon]

Neat photos....especially that first one!!

[Matthew H]

Cool stuff Travis, the guy in the middle that's identified above his head, looks familiar... But I won't open that can of worms :)

[tlwise12]

Matt,

He really does look familiar. I have thought that since I got the image. I'm not very familiar with 19th century players so I really would have no idea really...

Travis