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Posted By: barrysloate

It turned out to be a very interesting piece, and my intution aboout it was correct. While it appears to be a composite display with 11 oval photos, it was actually constructed using 11 Warren CdV's that were mounted to the back of a cardboard mat with the faces visible through the oval apertures. My conservator took it apart as I intend to get the mat cleaned and I wanted to know exactly what was inside. I am still on vacation without reference materials, so I was only able to do some cursory research. What I've discovered is the team is actually 1872, and not 1873 as originally thought. Jim O'Rourke is not part of it and Ryan is, and he was not on the 1873 team. Most of the images are recognizable from the 1873 Boston cabinet, and now we know they were photographed a year earlier. I think this large composite was constructed to be reshot, perhaps for a CdV, but none have ever shown up. Another fascinating thing is this originated from a group of pieces that almost certainly belonged to Harry Wright. My guess is that Harry was given this directly from the photographic studio. I also believe that this is the only complete set of these Warren CdV's known. Single ones pop up with some frequency, but I've never seen a complete set before. I don't recall seeing another Al Spalding, although I believe another board member says he has seen one. I'm sure I'll find more out about this in time.