With all the popularity of the cabinet card thread I thought some may like this. I recently picked up this 1882 Chicago Photographic Studios Cabinet card of the Chicago White Stockings team who were the NL Champions. I'm by no means a 19th century expert and have relied on some on the board who are....thanks to all those who have helped with info.
While it doesn't appear there have been many examples to begin with, the ones I've found are all a bit different than this cabinet. In mine, Silver Flint has his arms crossed across his chest, in the others his hands are in his lap. In this one, King Kelly's arm is slightly behind Fred Goldsmith's arm, in the other versions Kelly's arm is in front. There is also the obvious bats at the players feet in the other versions that is missing here, but there is more room towards the top of the photograph. While I know there are many 19th century issues that have different photographic versions, this is the first I've found in the Chicago Photographic Studios cabinets, at least to this point with any of the teams. I've talked with a few experts and the consensus was from "it's not that big of deal" to "that's amazing". But I thought it was surely interesting enough to point out if it is in fact the first known distinction in photos from this issue.
As far as the writing on the card, Billy Sunday is incorrectly labled on the front. He didn't join the Chicago team until 1883. As evident on the back however is a man's name and "Jefferson, Iowa". Sunday was from Iowa and I'd assume it was "wishful thinking" at some point by someone in labeling Sunday in the front. Also interesting on the back it states "return to sender". Perhaps these were mailed out like a redemption? I have no idea.
If anyone does have this same version, I'd love to see it...as well as any other "new" version from this issue.
These are who I believe to be the players - thanks to Shawn England for finding this info from one of his contacts
Back row - Quest - Gore - Williamson - Burns
Middle row - Dalrymple - Flint - Anson - Goldsmith - Kelly
Front row - Nicol - Corcoran
Blown up version, and then below it is the image from the 2011 Legendary auction to compare photographs -
