Illustrated American from 1890 - Photographs or Drawings?

[mouschi]

I found these and thought they were really neat - several pics show Tim Keefe and Buck Ewing. They almost look like photographs, but I thought back in 1890 they couldn't take such types of action shots? What exactly are these? The name seems to suggest they are ... well ... illustrated. But in hand, they almost look like they could be crude photographs. (Forgive the glare ... I took pics while they were in archival sleeves)

[steve B]

Action photography was possible much earlier, but the cameras were very big and not suitable for actual sports.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eadweard_Muybridge

1890 would be pretty early for action, but possible. Gelatin plates came out in 1878, and that process was quick enough for some action. Movies began right around 1890, as well as the hand held Kodak cameras.

[mouschi]

Originally Posted by steve B

Action photography was possible much earlier, but the cameras were very big and not suitable for actual sports.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eadweard_Muybridge

1890 would be pretty early for action, but possible. Gelatin plates came out in 1878, and that process was quick enough for some action. Movies began right around 1890, as well as the hand held Kodak cameras.

This makes me wonder what the earliest action baseball shots there are out there. Any ideas?

[steve B]

Originally Posted by mouschi

This makes me wonder what the earliest action baseball shots there are out there. Any ideas?

While these won't be direct photos, they were probably made from photos.

I don't know about earliest action photos, but 1890 would have to be in the running. Maybe with an asterisk for the stereoviews showing games in progress. Most don't show much action, but the players are on the field..

Muybridge did do baseball, just not game action (The images are likely NSFW)
https://ourgame.mlblogs.com/eadweard...n-acd04211da4a

His camera for the horse etc was actually multiple cameras, and the whole setup was larger than the dugout.

https://timeline.com/see-how-eadwear...e-59cd1b66a9d2

[drcy]

Those have to be amongst the earliest of baseball.

Woodcuts were often based on photographs, but they were still photographs of the players posing or standing still.

There are earlier 'live' outdoor action scenes, but from a distance of the whole game going on. But not with this type of real 'in action' shots.

[mouschi]

Thank you guys for your help I know I have something special, (anything 19th century baseball is special imo) but knowing that these are perhaps some of the earliest action baseball shots makes it so much better. I'd love to keep hearing more input from folks!