great source for images

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Posted By: <b>jay behrens</b><p>Check out the NY Public Library site for some great baseball images<br /><br /><a href="http://digitalgallery.nypl.org" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://digitalgallery.nypl.org</a><br /><br />Jay<br /><br><br>I like to sit outside drink beer and yell at people. If I did this at home I would be arrested, so I go to baseball games and fit right in.

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Posted By: <b>Jason</b><p>That link was really useful and I particularly recommend it to those fellow early baseball collectors who's interests are from the 1850's 60's & 70's! - Great images!<br /><br />Thanks again Jay!<br /><br />- Jason<br />

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Posted By: <b>Mike P.</b><p>Agreed! I thought the picture I posted about in this thread was particularly interesting...<a href="http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=153652&messageid=1110044038&lp=1110044038" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://www.network54.com/Forum/message?forumid=153652&messageid=1110044038&lp=1110044038</a>

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>When I did research at the library several months ago for the two 1863 cricket CdV's I sold, that database was a lifesaver. I'm sure it saved me at least an hour trying to get someone to make photocopies for me. I believe the entire Spalding Collection among many other things is available online now.

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Posted By: <b>Julie</b><p><br />Creighton...<br /><br /><br /><img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/jphotos/Creighton....jpg">

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>The segment of the photograph Julie scanned is not only the best photograph in the Spalding Collection, but in my opinion the single finest early baseball photograph in existence. It is a huge mammoth plate salt print, and you need to see it to believe just how beautiful it is. In years past it was quite easy to visit; but like all institutional collections today, it has become much more difficult. The last time I saw it was about three years ago, and my friend and I had to make an appointment weeks in advance. It used to be on the third floor of the library with the smaller Spalding photographs. Now it is kept in a separate facility and it has to be requisitioned and then brought upstairs. But for those who love early baseball photography it's worth the effort because it just doesn't get any better than that. And other than the Peck & Snyder, it's the only other photograph of Creighton known. Thanks Julie for sharing it.

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>I neglected to mention in my last post it's a team photo of the 1860 Brooklyn Excelsiors. I guess that's pretty important information.

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Posted By: <b>barry arnold</b><p>what a fabulous photograph.<br />many thanks.<br /><br />there's a depth in his expression that makes me long for the <br />character displayed in much of the beginnings of baseball.<br /><br />there's also a little melancholia here,it seems. perhaps, i'm just<br />thinking about his tragic death--almost like Roy Hobbs in The Natural--<br />which involved his homering and injuring himself fatally somehow.<br /><br />God, i love baseball.<br /><br />all the best<br /><br />Barry Arnold

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Both the Excelsior's clubhouse and Jim Creighton's house are in my neighborhood, just a couple of blocks away. I pass the clubhouse nearly every day. I know the exact place that Creighton was taken out of his family home in his coffin, and ceremoniously paraded to Greenwood Cemetery to be buried. It was a big deal in 1862, though I doubt many in Cobble Hill(my neck of the woods) and Brooklyn Heights know who he is today.

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Posted By: <b>barry arnold</b><p>we'll keep telling the stories and sharing the traditions, even through<br />the dark ages.<br />sort of like baseball monks, Barry.<br /><br />you're a lucky man to live there in the midst of such history.<br /><br />all the best<br /><br />Barry Arnold

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Posted By: <b>Julie</b><p>I thought he looked like a poet, except that next to him is the bibbed uniform.<br /><br />The man IN the bibbed uniform has both hands on Creighton's shoulder, sort of--protectively.

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>He does look kind of angelic. He almost has the expression of a man who foresees his own doom, which when the photograph was taken was only a couple of years away.

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Posted By: <b>barry arnold</b><p>I, too, noticed the protectiveness in the player's hands on Creighton's<br />shoulder,Julie.<br />It speaks of camaraderie,care,and community as well.<br />Maybe this is some sort of nostalgia day for me, but this photograph brings out the best in baseball and good memories of what baseball has<br />always meant to me.<br />You did pick well!<br /><br />all the best<br /><br />Barry Arnold<br />

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Posted By: <b>Scott M</b><p>For those that are unfamiliar with the story (like I was)... <a href="http://bioproj.sabr.org/bioproj.cfm?a=v&v=l&bid=770&pid=16900" target="_new" rel="nofollow">http://bioproj.sabr.org/bioproj.cfm?a=v&v=l&bid=770&pid=16900</a><br /><br />Scott

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Posted By: <b>ramram</b><p>Hey, Barry, did you ever get invited to toss the ball with Creighton?? <img src="/images/happy.gif" height=14 width=14> <br /><br />What a great resource site. You guy's mention about the Spalding collection and, in another thread, somebody mentioned about returning a stolen item to this collection. What's the story behind that?? Did somebody smuggle a bunch of the collection out?<br /><br />BTW, Barry, do you happen to have a photo of the clubhouse as it is today?<br /><br />Rob M.

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>Rob- I live in a landmark district in downtown Brooklyn, and most of the buildings (including the one I live in) are 19th century brownstones. The Excelsior clubhouse is just someone's home, and only a plaque on the front distinguishes it and tells its story. I never took a picture, simply because I see it every day. And yes, many important pieces from the Spalding Collection are missing, but that's a story for another time, and perhaps not on this board.

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Posted By: <b>R. Cook</b><p>The Sporting Life, April 13th, 1887 <br /><img src="http://www.mlbvintage.com/pics/uploads/creightonjimobitoverview.jpg">

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Posted By: <b>barrysloate</b><p>That's a great article, and one I have never seen before. It's also a little hard to read for some reason. But it was written by someone who knew him personally. I do believe that Creighton was in fact a fine batsman, despite what the writer says. But a great little find.