1907 Tigers Team Photo... L. Van Oeyen. Any info?

[sredman]

I purchased this piece and don't have any knowledge of it. It is labeled " Detroit Tigers Champions 1907 " copyright 1907 by L. Van Oeyen. Cleveland, Oh.. The only place I could find anything about it was on a thread on this website, so I figured if you guys are talking about it somebody might have some info. Thanks

[sredman]

It measures 16x20

[billyb]

Sred,
Don't know what you are looking for? The only information I have on it, is a brief description from a VanOeyen photo list, it states the photo includes Ty Cobb and Germany Schaeffer. But no date other than year.

[drcy]

I'd have to see the photo in person to tell you what it is and from when. I can't tell you anything definitive from the small scan with no back scan. Though my off hand assumption from the small pic posted is it's not original. 16 x 20 is more of a modern photo dimension.

If it is original or otherwise vintage, it would be a $$ valuable photo. If you believe it might be original or vintage, it would be worth having checked out.

[sredman]

I took it to a local sports memorabilia guy and we put it under a microscope to make sure it was an original. He said in 25 years this was the second best piece he had ever seen. But he didn't know any real specifics about it. When, where were they sold? How many of these were made? How many exist? And of course, value?

[thecatspajamas]

Putting it under a microscope will tell you whether it is a printed image or true photograph, but that in itself doesn't guarantee that it was produced in the early 1900's by Van Oeyen from his own negative.

No offense to your local sports memorabilia guy, but dealing in sports memorabilia, and having knowledge and experience specific to photographs do not necessarily go hand in hand. Sometimes they do, and he may know what he's talking about, but then I also know a lot of "sports memorabilia guys" who could pick out Ty Cobb in the crowd and that's about it.

There are plenty of guys here who are knowledgable about photographs, David (drcy) being at the top of that list. If you really want to get a better idea of what you have, I would suggest getting a large, clear scan or pic of the photo (both front AND back), as well as detail scans/pics of any stampings or other markings that may be on the back. If it passes muster based on the larger, clearer images, then it would be worth your while to have David or someone else knowledgable (and recognized) in the field of vintage sports photography examine it in person. If authentic, it would be a very valuable photograph, worth the time and effort. As David said though, from the small image you posted, it's hard to tell anything about it for sure.

[billyb]

Sred,
It appears that the VanOeyen connection to this photo is copied on the front of your photo. The photographers usually stamped their identification marks on the back of their original photos. That is why the above experts are asking to see the back. Or there may be just glue residue on the back, where the back matte was attached to an original photo, then all your stampings would be gone, but give a small clue as a possible original.
I am no where near the level of these above experts, but I have been researching some of VanOeyens photos and I can tell you that the original negative appears, (by description), to exist in the VanOeyen collection in the Western Reserve Historical Society, in Cleveland, and a copy can be purchased for $35.
Scanning your copy will not harm it.