The oldest card on this board?

[SetBuilder]

What's the oldest card out there among the board members? It'll probably be non-sports, but post it anyway. Anyone have something from pre-1850? Maybe 1700s?

I read the NY Times Burdick article this morning and it mentioned that he researched the origins of trade cards and playing cards way back to the 1300s.

I have 2 advertising cards from the 1840's for cure all medicine. Don't know how I even got them or where they are at the moment.

[Tyler]

Don't know how I even got them or where they are at the moment.

Andrew, is it me or are you in 'la-la' land lately?

[benjulmag]

Dates to 1844, scene depicted is a baseball game being played at Elysian Fields

Corey that card is sick

Tyler you are right. Been way off my game lately(not that I have ever been right anyways). Just a lot going on right now.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by benjulmag

Dates to 1844, scene depicted is a baseball game being played at Elysian Fields

Thanks for posting this Corey. Is this actually a card? Can you give the approximate dimensions and say if there is anything on the back?

[oldjudge]

Corey-Are they playing baseball or cricket? It almost looks like a combination of the two.

[benjulmag]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Corey-Are they playing baseball or cricket? It almost looks like a combination of the two.

IMO they are playing baseball under the NY rules, which supports the view of most historians that the Knickerbockers formally codified a version of the game that was already extant.

EDITED to add that period newspaper accounts of the Magnolias and the game they played confirm that it was baseball they were playing.

[benjulmag]

The card is 5 1/8" x 3 1/4". Below is an image of the verso. It was issued as a ticket to the first annual ball of the Magnolia Ball Club. Here in its entirety is an ad that ran in the New York Herald February 6-8, 1844:

THE FIRST ANNUAL BALL of the New York Magnolia Ball Club will take place at National Hall, Canal st. on Friday evening, Feb. 9th, inst. The Club pledge themselves that no expense or exertions shall be spared to render this (their first) Ball worthy the patronage of their friends. The Ball Room will be splendidly decorated with the insignia of the Club. Brown’s celebrated Band is engaged for the occasion. Tickets $1, to be had of the undersigned, and at the bar of National Hall.
JOSEPH CARLISLE, Chairman.
PETER H. GRAHAM, Secretary

As to the question how it can be a card as well as a ticket, I would respond that it can be both if it satisfies the critieria of each. Inasmuch as it was available to the general public, depicts baseball subject matter, was used for commercial purposes and has the physical characteristics of a card, IMO it can reasonably be called a card, the same way as the Jordan Marsh tickets from the 1860's are regarded by many as early baseball cards.

[Leon]

Thanks again Corey. I agree with your analysis too.

[Wymers Auction]

Originally Posted by benjulmag

Dates to 1844, scene depicted is a baseball game being played at Elysian Fields

That is awesome!!!!