Clean Sweep Auction: Harper's woodcut

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Posted By: Julie Vognar

I won the 1874 Boston International Campions pictured in a Harper's woodcut of that year. It is GLORIOUS. A full page (9x13 1/2), with excellent artwork--great team portraits of Spaulding, O'Rourke, both Wrights--not to mention Barnes and McVey.

I was the only bidder, at $120.

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Posted By: Rob

Kind of sad these are overlooked collectibles. I sold that same print recently on Ebay for $125. Paid less for it. Paid less than $75 on ebay for the 1869 Cincinnati Reds Harper's Weekly woodcut that was matted and tinted in red watercolor contemporary to the time. That was impressive.

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Posted By: Julie

I was advised to "take advantage of their low prices.
Someone may wake up and start chrging what they're worth." I have 7.

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Posted By: Hankron

My experience is that the prices vary widely on these items. One will go for $120 one week, then $30 the next ... My personal favorite (and I beleive one that Julie already has and is a companion to the one shy just bought) is the the 1874 Philadelphia Athletics team. It includes a 21 year old and baby faced Cap Anson (lower right).

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Posted By: Hankron

People regularly dismiss Harper's Woodcuts, but tell me where else you will find a image of Anson like this.

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Posted By: Lyman

OK. Someone had to ask. Should this be considered Anson's rookie card?

Seriously, the Harper's woodcuts not only are important sources for baseball images, but provide fairly detailed accounts of some of the early games. The "Anson" woodcut posted by Hankron and the "Boston Champions" team woodcut described by Julie are both part of a related three-issue sequence published by Harper's in 1874. All three related to a demonstration match between Boston and Philadelphia played in London on August 3 of that year. The third woodcut (and article) in the sequence displayed a full-page image of the game in progress and was published in Harper's September 5, 1874 issue.

I agree, the woodcuts (and accompanying narrative) are often overlooked by collectors, but provide some of the most interesting (as well as the most beautiful) insight into the national pastime in the 19th century.

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Posted By: Hankron

It can't be considered Anson's rookie card, as the Harper's woodcuts aren't trading cards. They fall under the general header of 'antique prints.'

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Posted By: Andy Baran

Anson is represented on an 1871 Rockford CDV. I wish I owned it.

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Posted By: runscott

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2772076780&category=31718