1880s John Clarkson-as-pitchman advertising piece

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Posted By: Joseph

Until a Hunt's auction a few weeks ago, I was unaware of this piece. Lo and behold, the
item has turned up in the most recent offerings from both Mastro and Lelands! Amazing how that happens. The wheel is an advertising vehicle for a farming equipment company, it is segmented into eight wedges (both sides) and folds into one wedge that is shaped like a slice of pizza.

One wedge depicts what appears to be an image of Hall of Famer John Clarkson, with the words "Positive Delivery". Some pitchman! I doubt Clarkson was paid for the use of his image, but what I'm wondering is...who WAS the earliest ballplayer to be used as an advertising pitchman??

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Posted By: CarltonHendricks

The first piece that comes to mind is the 23 1/2" tall x 18" wide poster for E&J Brewery that featured Cap Anson and Buck Ewing. I found a photo on capanson.com, here's the link to the page where it can be found:
http://www.capanson.com/baseball_cards.html
By the way, anyone know who has that site? It's great!

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Posted By: Max Weder

I believe it's maintained by Howard Rosenberg, author of the 4 anson books featured on the site. Howard has occasionally posted on net54

Max

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Posted By: Andy Broome

I wonder what dates the piece to 1880's? If it is the same Walter A. Wood Company that I am thinking of, they opened in 1913.
Do you have the auction listing?

Andy

Edited to add I found that apparently there are two companies named Walter A. Wood. The later company, which is the one I am thinking of, is a machine supplies company, not a farming machine company. The farming machine company is much older.