Elmer Chickering Studio Cabinets

[nameless]

I just picked up a couple of nice chickerings. The backs are great. Can anyone tell me about them? Lots of good info in this thread. These came out of an old bar which a famous 19th century athlete bounced at. I believe maybe they were gifts? Thanks!

[RCMcKenzie]

Your cards look like the boxer John L Sullivan to me.

Here is one I picked up recently

[nameless]

It is Sullivan and Kilrain. I havent seen any others like these. What year is yours from?

[RCMcKenzie]

The baseball one I posted is of General Stafford, who played for Boston in 1898 and 1899.


John L. Sullivan's wikipedia page has the same image shown as the Chickering one on the right that you have. Wikipedia has the photo dated at 1898, but they don't have it sourced.

[nameless]

Also I have seen a lot of different backs.

[RCMcKenzie]

If you have Adam W.'s 2nd edition boxing guide, look on page 57 and 58.

Page 57 has the same image as the chickering one you have on 2 anonymous cabinets.

[nameless]

yes I know the image. It is by John Wood of Boston. I can name a few type cards with this. My question is the ad backs. These were always changing?

[RCMcKenzie]

I think the J Wood image is similar, but not the exact same photo as your Chickering cabinet photo.

Elmer Chickering would not have used a photo by J Wood on his own cabinet.

I believe the anonymous cabinets that Adam shows in his guide were produced after the Chickering photo, and were uncredited.