Help with Photo ID...1925 Pirates???

[jpop43]

I am a vintage equipment guy and have been for many years, but I couldn't help picking up this photo some years back...it just looked "important" at the time.

Had it been a 3x5 photo or something like that I probably would have passed on it at the little antique show where I found it, but given its size... 14" long and 11" high... the heavy stock paper, and the scene, I thought maybe it was "something". What that "something" was, I didn't know.

To me, it looks like the image was taken maybe at a spring training or barnstorming venue given the ballpark wall that can be seen to the rear right, and because of the very laid back nature of the subjects. I cannot make out anything on the wall, but maybe the word Pontiac on the right billboard.

The "old man" in the middle seems to holding court (as well as a baseball) and appears as if he might be someone of some stature or notoriety to the players. From the uniforms, I am simply venturing that they may be members of the 1924 or 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates.

The picture itself, at least to me, seems to be in pretty good shape. There is a chip out of the bottom right corner, and a nick out of the top border. There is nothing at all written or printed on the back.

Well, that's all I can tell you. From my years here on the forum I know that there are definitely some photo experts and team ID experts out there in cyberspace...I would appreciate any and all info on or about this particular piece.

I look forward to reading/hearing what you might have to say. Thanks so very much in advance for the assist.

Best Regards,
Jonathan
www.dugouttreasures.com

[jpop43]

Here is a pic of the back of the paper....

[slidekellyslide]

The uniform style does look like 1923-24 Pirates, but that's not an outfield wall in the background...that's a gas station with two billboards next to it.

[jpop43]

yep, I think your absolutely correct about the service station off the rear center/left, but logic would dictate that two players (pro's, per your guess which I appreciate) wouldn't be walking around in full uniform if a field wasn't close by.

I may be way off, but I just have/had a hunch that those boards are, maybe, the outfield wall of a ballpark (or just a ball field)....obviously not Pittsburgh, but somewhere else. Anyone know where the Pirates held spring training back in those days?

Thanks for the help on the possible dates...much appreciated.

[slidekellyslide]

I figured with the tree right next to it that it was probably just a billboard.

[jpop43]

to me, those trees are at a much shorter distance than the billboards. regardless, I appreciate your comments...anybody have any thoughts on the identity of the players or the elder man.