Help ID the year of these 19th Century items

[trdcrdkid]

The second picture says "Hughie O'Neil - Pitcher (Top Center)" on the back. Hugh O'Neil pitched for the 1875 Brooklyn Atlantics, so that would be my guess for the team and year, especially given that, as bgar3 mentioned, the photographer Kopke was from Brooklyn. The top line on the back says "Baseball Team", but I can't make out what the second and fourth lines say.

[BeanTown]

Excellent research and agreed on the years. Here is better scan of the back.

[midmo]

Page 59 of Base Ball Cartes - The First Baseball Cards by Mark Rucker

[khkco4bls]

Originally Posted by trdcrdkid

The second picture says "Hughie O'Neil - Pitcher (Top Center)" on the back. Hugh O'Neil pitched for the 1875 Brooklyn Atlantics, so that would be my guess for the team and year, especially given that, as bgar3 mentioned, the photographer Kopke was from Brooklyn. The top line on the back says "Baseball Team", but I can't make out what the second and fourth lines say.

May be Baltimore (2nd line) and john McGraw

[oldjudge]

Another copy of your second cabinet is being discussed in the memorabilia section. It is thought to be Williamsburg, but it is definitely not the Atlantics.

[RCMcKenzie]

JC, you have the same cabinet, that's awesome! Do you still have it? Have you learned anything new?

O'neil and Esterbrook were about the same age. I couldn't find a photo of O'neil to match with this one. It's possible that they played on a team in a town starting with "W" near Brooklyn circa 1880.

John McGraw was born in 1873, so I don't see how he fits in here, other than his name is on the back. How would someone know who Hugh O'neil was? Why would they call him "Hughie" unless he were their relative or famous?

This is fun...See my thread in memorabilia...lots of people have chimed in with good information...Rob

[RCMcKenzie]

JC, if you still have the cabinet, zoom in with your scanner on the player on the 2nd row to the far right. If you can, try to scan as sharp a photo of his face using the highest dpi setting. My cabinet looks to be a little more worn than yours. If your copy is sharper, we might be able to i.d. Esterbrook, Thanks, Rob