1907 Tigers Team Photo... L. Van Oeyen. Any info?

[thecatspajamas]

Putting it under a microscope will tell you whether it is a printed image or true photograph, but that in itself doesn't guarantee that it was produced in the early 1900's by Van Oeyen from his own negative.

No offense to your local sports memorabilia guy, but dealing in sports memorabilia, and having knowledge and experience specific to photographs do not necessarily go hand in hand. Sometimes they do, and he may know what he's talking about, but then I also know a lot of "sports memorabilia guys" who could pick out Ty Cobb in the crowd and that's about it.

There are plenty of guys here who are knowledgable about photographs, David (drcy) being at the top of that list. If you really want to get a better idea of what you have, I would suggest getting a large, clear scan or pic of the photo (both front AND back), as well as detail scans/pics of any stampings or other markings that may be on the back. If it passes muster based on the larger, clearer images, then it would be worth your while to have David or someone else knowledgable (and recognized) in the field of vintage sports photography examine it in person. If authentic, it would be a very valuable photograph, worth the time and effort. As David said though, from the small image you posted, it's hard to tell anything about it for sure.

[billyb]

Sred,
It appears that the VanOeyen connection to this photo is copied on the front of your photo. The photographers usually stamped their identification marks on the back of their original photos. That is why the above experts are asking to see the back. Or there may be just glue residue on the back, where the back matte was attached to an original photo, then all your stampings would be gone, but give a small clue as a possible original.
I am no where near the level of these above experts, but I have been researching some of VanOeyens photos and I can tell you that the original negative appears, (by description), to exist in the VanOeyen collection in the Western Reserve Historical Society, in Cleveland, and a copy can be purchased for $35.
Scanning your copy will not harm it.