Posted By:
Patrick McMenemyI took a look at all three player's records in "The Official Encyclopedia of Baseball," and all three players, in question, have something in common. Each player was a "player-manager."
Johnny Kling, Boston, N.L. (1912) M-C
Harry Davis, Cleveland, A.L. (1912) M-1
Frank Chance, New York, A.L. (1913-1914) M-1
I would like to offer a third hypothesis.
Rather than being a "proof" or a "notebook cover," could these have originally been part of "scorecards" produced following the end of the 1912 season for the upcoming 1913 season?
I have seen examples of scorecards using previously released cards sets'lithography. Early advertisers frequently created souvenirs that utilized the images of the player-managers as symbolic representatives of their respective teams. Another example of this was seen in the early advertising "fans."
This is my personal hypothesis. Could this be a proof?
Absolutely. Could these be another form of advertising?
Possibly. They are rare and valuable in either case.
Only time will tell!