eBay listing - DETROIT WOLVERINES PLAYER CABINET CARD 1880S?

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Posted By: Joe_G.

Buyer Beware

I only post on eBay listings before they end when they are highly suspect or misleading.

Here it is => http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ih=014&item=330035462946&rd=1&sspagename=STRK%3AMEWA%3AIT&rd=1

The seller (Steven Schwartz -> prymtyme3333) claims the subject matter on this cabinet card is either Stump Weidman or Larry Twitchell of the Detroit Wolverines. I corresponded with the seller five times over the last 24hrs giving him most of the following details and offering more but ultimately the seller has decided to leave the listing as is. I also decided to post since I see one board member has already placed a bid and others have sent me a link to the auction (thanks).

First observation I made was that the studio listed (Holcombe & Alvord) and address (222 Woodward Ave.) signify an 1884 or 1885 cabinet (per Detroit City Directory).

Now Larry Twitchell didn't start his professional baseball career until 1886 with 4 games played with Detroit. Prior to this, Twitchell played for Columbus & Zanesville Ohio teams making a trip to Detroit for a photo highly unlikely. And, then there is the fact that this guy doesn't look all that much like Twitchell.

Stump Weidman on the other hand did actually play for Detroit during the years of interest (1884/1885). So I'll just have to fall back on the fact that this dude doesn't look anything like Stump. Here is a good shot of Stump from 1883 (thanks JC).



On the other hand, if anyone thinks otherwise, please speak up. If you can convince me this is Larry Twitchell or any other Detroit Wolverine, I'll bid this bad boy up. Good luck.

Best Regards,
Joe Gonsowski

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Posted By: Judge Dred (Fred)

Joe,

You've got to love this stuff. Some guy on a cabinet with a Detroit address. People think it's from the 1880s but can't be sure if it's one player or another.

Quite honestly, I'd trust your assesment and judgement on this rather than the people who claim to know or think they know who it is. You have more experience with Detroit players from that era than most people.

What do you think about this cabinet?

Is it possible that it's just some guy that had his portrait taken at a studio? Could it be Cap Anson... (snicker, snicker)?

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Posted By: ramram

Give me a stack of cabinet cards from a major city and I'll come up with nine "players" from that city's team!!

Rob M.

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Posted By: barrysloate

If you think it might be either one of two players then by definition it is neither player.

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Posted By: joe

The man in the cabinet parts his hair the same way Twitchell does in the pictures I have in some books. It's possible, but in most cases like this, it is probably just some cabinet of a family relative.

Joe

Ty Cobb, Spikes flying!

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Posted By: Joe_G.

I see the item is still listed and just in case there is any doubt here are the "REAL" Twitchell and Weidman surrounding the mystery man.

On left we have Larry Twitchell during his rookie 1886 season. On right we have Stump Weidman looking fine in 1883. In the middle we have an 1884-1885 cabinet card of an imposter. The seller would have you believe it is either Twitchell or Weidman. I think not.

Best Regards,
Joe Gonsowski

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Posted By: joe brennan

I have been wondering where the cabinet phto of our Great Great Uncle George went to. Thanks for finding him for us.

People said it was a million dollar wound. But the government must keep that money, cause I ain't never seen a penny of it.

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Posted By: joe

Was anyone able to determine if this was a ballplayer? Joe G. is right not Weidman or Twitchell. For some reason the picture looks like someone I have seen before, could be that I checked the listing to often though.

Joe M.

Ty Cobb, Spikes flying!

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Posted By: Joe D.

wondering if I should contact him for a consignment.

I have a 'cap anson' cabinet he could sell for me.....

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Posted By: Dan Bretta

You could contact the guy with the Honus Wagner cabinet on ebay....somehow he's gotten people to bid. Oddly he didn't end the auction when I showed him where he can see photos of a young Honus Wagner.

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Posted By: David Smith

Ah, but Dan, you showed him a picture of a young HONUS Wagner. The seller says that the name on the back of his cabinet card is HONAS Wagner.


David

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Posted By: Judge Dred (Fred)

Say Joe, where'd you get that Anson cabinet...? I think you got taken because I have it on good authority that the cabinet is actually of Moses Fleetwood.