Earliest Collectibles of Baseball Hall of Famers

[Baseball Rarities]

Originally Posted by WillowGrove

Hey Phil -

I thought I would mention an original Baltimore team photo with Babe Ruth (that I sold years ago at a Christie's auction). It was taken in spring training of 1914 (March --?)and I was wondering if this photo would pre-date Ruth's great Baltimore News card.

I have a copy of the photo I could send you.

thanks again for this amazing list.

peter

Any way that you could post the photo here? I would love to see it. If not, can you send me a copy to baseballrarities@cox.net?

I would imagine that since the Baltimore News cards were issued with the upcoming season's schedule on the back, that they were also initially issued sometime during spring training. It is probably impossible to know which was made first.

[oldjudge]

Phil-On page 184 of the Old Judge book we have an image of a cabinet of the 1879 Dubuque Rabbits, league champions of the North West League. On that team were Hoss Radbourn and Charles Comiskey. There is some debate as to whether this piece is period but I have a copy that I have brought to a paper conservator who said that she believes that it is period.

[WillowGrove]

Originally Posted by Baseball Rarities

Any way that you could post the photo here? I would love to see it. If not, can you send me a copy to baseballrarities@cox.net?

I would imagine that since the Baltimore News cards were issued with the upcoming season's schedule on the back, that they were also initially issued sometime during spring training. It is probably impossible to know which was made first.

Here's the photo of Ruth with Baltimore. Both combined make up the complete shot. FYI - The HOF did not have this photo in their archives so they accepted a copy of it back in 1990.

Wish I had the time to research the date it was taken! Hope this helps. (Phil: Don't mean to make this a thread on Ruth)

thanks