Dating of 1800s Baseball Stereoview....

[Leon]

I am guessing circa 1875?, maybe a bit later?

[4815162342]

I have sixth nerve palsy in my left eye, so these stereoviews and 3D illusions are easy for me to see, since I can cross my eyes and see double on command.

[drcy]

1860s

[dbrown]

Here's another view of the church, also by Burt. Is that a baseball diamond in the foreground, where this game is going on in this view?

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...ry_M._Burt.jpg

Burt's dates of activity are estimated at 1865-1885. Which doesn't narrow it down much. I'd guess ca. 1870 by the typography, but it could be late '60s.

David

[Leon]

Originally Posted by dbrown

Here's another view of the church, also by Burt. Is that a baseball diamond in the foreground, where this game is going on in this view?

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Fi...ry_M._Burt.jpg

Burt's dates of activity are estimated at 1865-1885. Which doesn't narrow it down much. I'd guess ca. 1870 by the typography, but it could be late '60s.

David

Thanks for the link....and thanks for the feedback. I am going with circa 1870 on it. I think it's great that items like this, showing very early playing days, can still be had for not a lot of money (sub $500).....

[barrysloate]

Agree with David. Late 1860's. Nice image.

[cockrellcollection]

Some of the problems with dating stereoviews are that the images were sometimes released multiple times over years (even decades if the subject was important). That sometimes makes the nature of the cardstock the best indicator. Is it curved/flat, thick/think paper? That can sometimes help identify the release date. Based on how it looks I think your guess in the 1870's is most likely moving into a bit later in that decade or 1880's if the stock starts to curve. The image might be a bit earlier in my opinion.

[Runscott]

Leon, I think this would be worth picking up. I haven't read it, but it looks like it might provide answers for some of these dating questions.

I've disagreed with some of the experts here in the past when it comes to dating stereo views, so I'll refrain from giving my opinion on this one, but here's where you can buy a guide by someone who probably has more experience than most of us:

Stereo Views by Waldsmith