No one named Revere played for the Pirates or any MLB team. Of course we don't know if that guy was a ballplayer.

Do you happen to have any provenance/history on that piece?

It looks like the handwriting is actually in Abbaticchio's hand. The "EJA" matches up to a couple of examples I have.

Note that it is also written in ballpoint. Wagner's signature was in the infancy of aged shakiness by the time the ballpoint pen was beginning to be used on this continent.

Cap River sounds like it could be the fishing destination.

I agree with Jodi--that's not Wagner's handwriting.

Wagner photo
 

My understanding is that it came from Wagner's Grand daughter. The Wagner name looks like very late period "Honus Wagner" signatures. Cap was his pet name for Fred Clarke, the manager he spent nearly his entire career playing for.
My guess is that with the last name he is just referring to the river man, probably a local who helped them find the good fishing spot. (which they obviously found)
The photo and writing are pretty consistent with other examples I've seen of a very old Wagner documenting his life and friends for posterity. The writing with pen probably occurred in the late 40's or 50's. I do have some similar photos that came from his estate with similar writing. I will check when I get access to them and post later on this board if there is any interest.This one came on it's own.

Usually, the only people to refer to a person using a monogram is the person who the monogram belongs to or, once in a while, a biographer of that person. And, of course, if the person is actually well-known by their initials (such as Yves Saint Laurent, Hunter S. Thompson, etc.).

I am convinced that it's Abbaticchio's writing. Attached please see my findings using letter-by-letter comparison.

Perhaps it was an old photo that Abbaticchio found years after the fishing trip and sent to Wagner in the 1950's. That makes sense, as Abbaticchio maintained correspondence with his teammates, and this also explains how the item originates from Wagner's estate.

More...

Look at the "W" in these two Wagners:

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...gner_check.jpg

http://i82.photobucket.com/albums/j2...iratesball.jpg

Quite different fom the "W" on the photo (which is identical to Abbatachio's.)

Abbaticchio's Wagner and an early 1950's actual Wagner:

Wagner photo
 

Jodi- thanks for the scans/info. That's the fun of collecting this kind of stuff. Trying to figure out how it came to be. Can I send you or post a Barney Dreyfus auto I have for an opinion? Thanks again, Bob

Here is another one for comparison.


Also, my opinion is that Abbaticchio probably got sentimental and mailed this photo to his friend Wagner with notations to remember the event and that is how it got in Wagners estate with Ed's handwriting. I also do not believe the guy in the photo looks anything like Fred Clarke and I share the sentiment that the handwriting is Ed Abbaticchios and the last notation is "Cap River" which is probably the fishing spot. Whether that is the actual name of it or a name they gave it is unknown but that is my feeling on it.

Rhys

As to Abbaticchio, Dots Miller and Wagner - it certainly is them.

On Clarke - I would say it could be him - but I can't tell for sure either way.

Is there a Cap River?

Abbaticchio
 

I found an example of Abbaticchio's signature that I've had for awhile. It's a 1956 GPC. After comparing the sigs in person, I would agree, that is who wrote on the back of the photo. (gotta love the internet, thanks to all who had input!).
I am convinced that Cap=Fred Clarke after looking at some old Pirates team photos I have. Guess I'll be doing some photo scanning this weekend (between managing 4 Baseball games).Thanks Again- Next will be a Barney Dreyfuss signed 1923 season pass.

1888 Detroit at Philadelphia
 

I won the original glass plate negative this image was developed from early this year but just now received the image from the negative. Doug Munson at Chicago Albumen Works (actually in MA) did a fantastic job of obtaining a strong image from a fairly light negative (and adding a sepia tint). The negative measures 6 1/2" x 8 1/2" and came with period paper stating it was Detroit vs Philadelphia, 1888. Detroit is batting with what appears to be an RBI double (if umpire was initially behind plate, maybe a single if umpire was by pitcher to begin with). Notice the bat and catchers mask to the right of the plate and the lone umpire running towards second to make the safe call. The outfield fence is loaded with neat advertising (far easier to see on hi res scans), would like to know what the baseball figure in straight-away center represents. You just don't see this type of material very often. Has anyone seen this image as a cabinet?

1888 Ball Game part 2
 

A little better look . . .

Joe - great image! Do you know if was in Detroit or Philly?

I'm assuming Detroit is the dark pants team.

(Thanks for the blow-ups which you posted just as I posted this - the sign says Broad St. Station Philadelphia)

Joe, I was hoping whoever won that negative would show us all a good shot of what was on there. How rare to see such an early action shot of a major league game. That is simply amazing. Congrats!

Joe - amazing image. If you dont mind me asking, which auction did this come from?

Jon, IIRC it was in a Hunts monthly internet/phone auction.

The negative actually came from eBay, well sort of. I was high underbidder but the winning bidder sold it to me (after Kevin Cummings put me in contact with him). It was one of those items that stayed low and it was tough to decide on an appropriate snipe. What was a couple hundred dollars became $2,800 in the final ~5 seconds. The original eBay seller purchased it years ago from an auction house.

Thanks for the info guys - its really an amazing image.

I'm almost certain that negative was in a Hunt's monthly auction within the last 6 months...I think I even bid on it. I'm at work so I don't have my catalogs handy, but I'll check when I get home....I didn't see it on ebay, but it sold for a lot less in the Hunt auction.

Unfortunately the Hunt's website doesn't archive the monthly auctions, and I can't find it in the google machine.

Hmmm, I would be interested in anything you could dig up. This negative ended on eBay Christmas Eve (12/24/08). I would be disappointed at myself if I missed an earlier sale (but still completely satisfied with the item itself). I'm pretty good at keeping up on all the auction catalogs and internet offerings.

Here you go Joe...it was in the December 3rd Hunt's internet/phone auction. I bid on it, but was probably the third or fourth underbidder.

http://www.huntauctions.com/phone/im...56&lot_num=284

Thanks Dan, not sure how I missed that one. I frequently bid and win Hunt items. Several people brought it to my attention when it hit eBay, none of which noticed it a couple weeks earlier. I'm happy to have it in my collection regardless of price paid.

Wow Joe. How great is that? I don't think I knew that it was possible to get an action shot in 1888. I guess I thought (without really thinking about it) that photos at that time were still long sitting sessions in studio. What a great image and nice surprise.

And now for this question. Anyone think that maybe there were more home runs hit to that acreage in left field without the fence than there would have been with a typical-distance fence? It looks like hard liners and even ground shots that might normally bounce off a wall could go a long ways in a field with that design.

That's as cool to think about as anything. If it weren't for the loss of seating and concessions in one part of the outfield, it would be interesting to have a modern club think about such a design.

J

Joann -

The image below from Library of Congress is claimed to be a c1886 Chicago at Washington NL game played at the Swampoodle grounds in DC. A companion image (with the batting/pitching teams reversed) appears in Baseball in Washington DC by Frank Ceresi, Arcadia publishers, on page 14.

http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/s...188628299u.jpg

A pair of mint cleats with orginal box. circa 1950's
 

Happy to add this true bottle bat (not a softball bat that looks kind of bottle-ish) to the collection. It will suffice until I can afford a H.Groh game used version.

Although I haven't a clue who the "White's Eagles" were, this photo just called me. I don't know why.

[IMG]<a href="http://s189.photobucket.com/albums/z192/HiNeighbor_2007/?action=view&current=BUGGBrwBmkKGrHgoH-DEjlLlzuWBKLDFeiO.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i189.photobucket.com/albums/z192/HiNeighbor_2007/BUGGBrwBmkKGrHgoH-DEjlLlzuWBKLDFeiO.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>[/IMG]

No idea who this is. Found in Kansas

Heh! I was about to post a reply that Greg would love that photo and then I realized it was you that posted it. :D

edited to add: This was in reply to Greg's Naragansett photo.

Just got these in the mail today. Never seen them before they popped up on ebay last week.

Love the Pittsburg fishing pic!

Something for my Black Sox pile. Season tix to Spinner's games. And an old Xmas photo.

http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...jaxletter6.jpghttp://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3...uthgalento.jpg



*Background on the Santa Clause's photo. Taken by famed sports photog. Wm C Greene, at Jim Kelly's 'Mirror Room' in Greenwich Village. The Babe and Tony "Two-Ton" Galento were the MC's. Shoulda known these elves were up to no good... Hmmm, Could it have been the annual Bombers Xmas party?

Also, this is building still stands 181 Sullivan St. and is located a few buildings down from my son's old college apt at 149. It's a small, small world.

An exerpt from Bill Treadwells book on growing up in pre-WW2 Greenwich Village, 'Give it to me Easy' 1944;
http://i30.photobucket.com/albums/c3.../jimkellys.jpg

Whoa steve,
You're killing me with that spinners letter. Beautiful!

If you ever get tired of it let me know, Please!

Was it an ebay pick-up?

Love the Bambino/Santa photo Steve. Looks like Christmas came early for you.

Dan, nice pickups. I haven't seen any ticket books for Wichita but you would think they were out there.

Just picked up my first Willard Mullin original drawing of the Brooklyn Bum.
 

Attachment 1893

15" x 22" Also features the Giants and Pirates mascots.

Warren Spahn Milwaukee Braves Advertising
 

Found this at an antique mall. Pictures of front and back.

1951 All Star Game Ticket Stub
 

Also found at Antique Mall.

Picked up another Kansan the other day thanks to Rhys. Slow Joe Doyle from Clay Center, KS. Rhys went above and beyond to sell this to me and I'd like to thank him. If you ever need anything from him he's top notch. Here's his site:

http://www.prewarsports.com/

Duh, i had posted this in the wrong thread...

Much thanks to David Atkatz!

1905 Highlanders Stub
1923 Yankee Stadium Brochure

Yep, these have the schedule on the reverse side too. First I've seen.

Nice score on the Slow Joe photo.

Picked up this '29 Cubs panoramic piece from Hunts. Arrived today and I really likey.:)

That's a beauty, Brock.... congrats!

Pano
 

http://waxpaperbeercup.com/2009/01/0...ry-years-1929/
Brock, That's an exceptionaly good looking pano.....29' was when the cubs got future HOF'er Rogers Hornsby in a trade with the Boston Braves for five players and more than $200,000.00.

Thanks Carlton and Mark. The '29 Cubs fielded quite a fierce lineup. Cuyler, Hornsby, and Wilson made up one helluva powerful 3, 4, 5 hitters.

Recent Pickup
 

Great pickups guys.
I recently picked up a cabinet photo of a Reading Coal Heavers baseball player of the Atlantic League. The player is Ned Garvin who went on to play some major league baseball. Garvin played for the Coal Heavers from 1897 to 1899. I included a photo of his 1903 E107 Breisch-Williams card from his time with the White Sox. He also played in the majors with the Phillies, Highlanders, and Superbras.
<CENTER>
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...allCabinet.jpg
http://i112.photobucket.com/albums/n...rvinCardcr.jpg</CENTER>

"He also played in the majors with the Phillies, Highlanders, and Superbras."
Not that there's anything wrong with that.

Edited to add: A Superbras team photo! Well played, Rob D.

IMO this is probably not Ned Garvin. Keep in mind that he was a very gaunt and skinney 6'4" 160 lbs. This guy's proportions don't seem right for that.

And yeah - the ears also don't seem to be quite right. I can try to be more analytical over the weekend if requested.