1865 Elysian Fields artwork....perhaps the first significant BaseBall collectible.

[triwak]

Can I interrupt this conversation to inquire, if anyone has ever seen the giant bat that was awarded to the Red Stockings, or have there ever been documents surface as to it's fate or whereabouts? Seriously. What an amazing piece of baseball memorabilia THAT would be!!

[benjulmag]

Originally Posted by triwak

Can I interrupt this conversation to inquire, if anyone has ever seen the giant bat that was awarded to the Red Stockings, or have there ever been documents surface as to it's fate or whereabouts? Seriously. What an amazing piece of baseball memorabilia THAT would be!!

Ken,

That's a great question, one I've wondered about myself. I have never heard of anyone seeing it, but wouldn't that be a sight to see!

[barrysloate]

I've heard that the bat no longer exists, but have no documentation to back it up. Wouldn't you think it's too big to lose track of? It's not the kind of thing you can misplace.

[bgar3]

There is another book out about the 1869 Red Stockings by the same authors who did the First Boys of Summer. It is also a great book. Highly recommended.
The bat has never been located and is presumed to have been destroyed. There is a chapter on missing artifacts that had been sold at at least 2 auctions between 1871 and 1919. Some amazing things, like Harry Wright’s uniform.
The new book is Baseball Revolutionaries by Rhodes, Eradi and Gajus.

[tedzan]

Just reprising this post from another thread to keep the record straight of what I said.

Originally Posted by tedzan

Well, these 1871 Troy Haymakers scorecards aren't old enough to be the first BB cards; but, they sure are rare. Ten scorecards
were issued in 1871 - 1872 portraying players on this National Association team.


William "Clipper" Flynn (1871 - 1872)





Tom York (1871 - 1885)







TED Z

T206 Reference
.