19th century Baseball Photo - Player with Bib

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Posted By: Ben

Found this photo in my grandparents' antique photo collection. Photo was taken in New Bedford, Mass. Does anyone have information about this team? At what point did teams stop wearing bibs?

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Posted By: barrysloate

That style of cabinet mount, with the serrated edge, dates to the late 1880's. Professional teams had already stopped using bibs by then, but town teams continued somewhat longer. But you don't really see them past the 1880's.

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

Bib Jersey's were used into the 1890s.





I've owned other cabinets from the 1890s that had players in Bib Jersey's as well. I don't think it was uncommon for town teams, but like Barry said the pros were no longer using them by that time.

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Posted By: Joe_G.

The serrated edge cabinets were common in the 1890s, perhaps moreso than the late 1880s. The photographers location gives no doubt as to the city found on the bib. Neat cabinet.

A little research in older City Directories may shed light on when the photo was taken. Search each year for the absence or presence of the named studio.

Best Regards,
Joe Gonsowski