Very Early Baseball Game 1860s CDV

[brianp-beme]

To me the players definitely appear to be staged in various fielding poses so as to minimize any blurring caused by movement.

As a side note, the two lads with their arms stretched to the sky seem to be rather awkwardly anticipating a pop up to the infield.

Brian

[drc]

It was difficult to photographically capture movement back then. Which is why all the Old Judge poses are obviously staged. And why you never see a photo of a star like King Kelly or Cap Anson in action during a real game.

Posed or not, I think it's a great and rare image. And I bet it was taken during a game.

[barrysloate]

Probably 1860's and a really special image. It's rare to see a game in progress with such great detail.

[GaryPassamonte]

The ebay CdV was made somewhere between 1867 and 1871 based upon the photographers, most probably from 1867-1869. I was the underbidder on this lot and wasn't surprised at the price, given the rarity of "action" baseball CdVs. I can come up with less than 10 I know of. Here's the only one I have. It dates from 1864-1866 because of the tax stamp on the reverse. Hoboken NJ is written on the reverse.

[Leon]

Thanks for the info guys..........One of my top 5 impulse buys....

[Paul S]

Originally Posted by Leon

Thanks for the info guys..........One of my top 5 impulse buys....

Congrats on an excellent impulse. Can I ask what the other four are?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by Paul S

Congrats on an excellent impulse. Can I ask what the other four are?

"5" was off the top of my head. But others could be a Chickering Imperial Cabinet of Boston I eventually sold, my 1869 peck and snyder, T206 Mullaney scrap and the T206 Matty proof......though those cards could fluctuate with others they were not on my list of cards to get when I acquired them....

[DixieBaseball]

Originally Posted by Leon

Thanks for the info guys..........One of my top 5 impulse buys....

Awesome snare, Leon ! Congrats !!

Has anyone noticed how close the pitcher is to the batter ? What in the hell is the 3rd, 2B, and 1b doing with their hands ?? Is this baseball or cricket or something unique ? (My kids and I have invented some wild variations of baseball, so just curious what you guys think they fielders are doing with their arms over their heads ?)
#baffled

[packs]

I wish my recess was as cool as this one. There's just so much going on in this image. I love everything about it. Especially the fans along the schoolhouse.