Old Judge Orotone Photo/Studio Proof "Jumbo" Davis **UPDATED**

[GoCubsGo32]

I wanted to share my recent pick up of what appears to be an original Old Judge "Goodwin&Co NY" Orotone studio/proof of Kansas City's "Jumbo" Davis. The pose is unknown/unused ( that we know of --new discovery to the hobby) for any Old Judge series. The pose is very similar to the 119-6.

When you look at the photo, it has a gold-ish foil to it that makes it very hard to takes pictures. I had never seen that before with any studio proof/photo. I was concern it may be a modern reprint of some kind.I was later informed by an awesome boardie, that gold-foil effect might be glass photo backed in genuine gold-- giving the distinct golden tone.

The photo is snug in the custom frame holder pretty good. I'm afraid to remove the photo out of the frame to confirm this.

Size ~3 x 3.25

[autograf]

Cool piece. I would be wary of the authenticity of it but still cool piece. Have never seen an OJ piece like that and the cropping to put it in a gutta percha tintype case like that is odd. Haven't seen many photos from that era cropped to that type of deal. I did have an orotone piece of a BB player in a similar case like that from the late 1860's/early 1870's that I sold years ago. Maybe someone more knowledgable than myself could chime in like Gary Passamonte (photos) or Jay Miller (OJ's). Still a neat piece..............

[ramram]

Definitely not original to the case as the case would date to the 1860's. I would also have some doubts about the image, however, it would be interesting that it were a new pose.

Rob M

[GoCubsGo32]

I have talked to Joe G. and Jay (Old Judge) about the pose. They both agreed it is "Jumbo" Davis and the pose is new/unknown/unused. They both mention it's very similar to the 119-6.

However it looks like I have to remove it from the case to learn the truth about the photo. Welcome to more advice.

[prewarsports]

I echo what others have said about authenticity concerns. There would be no reason whatsoever to take an 1880's photograph, cut it down, then stick it in a case that would have been obsolete for two decades and was designed to protect more fragile forms of photography.

It would be like buying a brand new iPhone 6 and jamming it in a Walkman case from the 1980's. If things don't make sense, it usually points to someone trying to pass something off as being older than it is.

[GoCubsGo32]

I'm going to remove the photo out of the frame carefully to examine it more. Does any one know which area is best to remove the photo out?

Green arrow (remove the tan part out) vs Red arrow (removing gold frame). It's pretty snug in there....