Is This An Amazing Discovery?….Or Just Meh?

[piecesofthegame]

Been meaning to have a moment to show my latest purchase. I’ve been taking a little break from spending but could not resist this when I saw it. I enjoy looking at 1800s ambrotypre, dageurreotype, and tintype photography, and, of course, looking for a baseball related find.

This ambrotype appeared to be nothing special until I read the newspaper clipping included with the photo and case. Take a moment to read it. It appears this Charles H. Gilman was part of a very early (1860) baseball club, perhaps at Bowdoin College in Maine, and died prematurely.

Unfortunately, I got very little on the internet regarding this, other than a Bowdoin College
web page mentioning a Charles H. Gilman scholarship opportunity. I plan to reach out to Bowdoin to ask if they have any details about this.

Any chance anyone here has a Bowdoin College connection? In any case, would love to hear the thoughts from experienced 19th century collectors. You guys teach me so much and I’m amazed what I learn when I post something interesting like this!




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[sb1]

Appears to be Charles H. Gilman of Laconia, Belknap county, New Hampshire. I could not find any online images of him to compare.

[Lucas00]

The problem here is proof. While the chances are good that the clipping matches the guy shown. There’s no way to rule out somebody adding the clipping in at a later date to a random ambrotype they had lying around.

That’s my opinion at least. If you were to sell it I would bet you’d get bidders who will have no problem with the provenance. But I personally would need more.

Great item!

[piecesofthegame]

I would tend to agree with you Lucas. And I thought about that when I bought it. But then I thought, “this random clipping was saved and perfectly folded to a size that fits the picture case” My guess is it was kept with A photo. Unless somehow the two pieces were separated over the years, it probably goes with THIS photo. But you are right, unless we can positively put the two together, there’s just no proof.

[Lucas00]

Originally Posted by piecesofthegame

I would tend to agree with you Lucas. And I thought about that when I bought it. But then I thought, “this random clipping was saved and perfectly folded to a size that fits the picture case” My guess is it was kept with A photo. Unless somehow the two pieces were separated over the years, it probably goes with THIS photo. But you are right, unless we can positively put the two together, there’s just no proof.

Just the fact the clipping mentions baseball and is from 1860 is special.

That is uncommon, and probably pre dates most board members earliest pieces.

[jingram058]

Originally Posted by Lucas00

Just the fact the clipping mentions baseball and is from 1860 is special.

That is uncommon, and probably pre dates most board members earliest pieces.

+1

No realistic chance for proof, I would guess. You could try reaching out to Bowdoin College perhaps.

[ajjohnsonsoxfan]

Damn! That's pretty cool. Great find!