Ca. 1907 Nap Lajoie - Nickel Theatre Trade Card

[SteveS]

There were several theaters with that name around that time, as the nickel movie was very popular. Although his first name is spelled incorrectly on that card, the only film in which Lajoie is known to have appeared was a 1902 or 1903 silent titled "Game of Base Ball," which was just a movie of an actual game between Philadelphia and Baltimore. So perhaps this was given out at a showing of that film at that theater a few years after its original release, and maybe there are more out there of other players from that game.

[KMayUSA6060]

Originally Posted by SteveS

There were several theaters with that name around that time, as the nickel movie was very popular. Although his first name is spelled incorrectly on that card, the only film in which Lajoie is known to have appeared was a 1902 or 1903 silent titled "Game of Base Ball," which was just a movie of an actual game between Philadelphia and Baltimore. So perhaps this was given out at a showing of that film at that theater a few years after its original release, and maybe there are more out there of other players from that game.

Given this information and the 1901 photo, is there a chance the 1907 written on the back is when someone owned the card, not when it was produced? Also, to Steve's point, I found another Nickel Theatre with a baseball tie. An excerpt from this article states the following...

In the summer of 1907, the Providence Nickel Theatre projected all the baseball scores baseball scores on the screen as soon as they were "received over the wire."

(https://books.google.com/books?id=ED...seball&f=false)

This is an incredible piece. Glad it's in your hands, Leon!

[Tao_Moko]

This is neat. I've never seen one like it. What are the dimensions?

[Rhotchkiss]

I found that article about the Newfoundland Nickel theatre, and I was going to post it, but soon realized (through same search) that there were many nickel theaters, short for “Nickelodeons” that sprang up in the 1890s and 1900s. I have no clue, but I doubt that card is from a theatre in Newfoundland in 1907- I just feel it’s unlikely baseball became that popular in rural Canada by 1907 that they printed a card of Lajoie to give out.

Anyway, very very cool card. And that picture is great too- I definitely think the card is from that picture, which may link it to Philly; although Lajoie was long gone from Philly by 1907, which may explain why the letters are not on his shirt in the PC, so maybe look for a nickel theater in Cleveland

And see this article for info about Nickel Theatres in Pittsburgh and later Cleveland

https://www.encyclopedia.com/arts/cu...ters-1905-1907

[Tao_Moko]

I missed the obvious bold print with size earlier. Reason I was asking is because I knew I had seen promotional post cards from this period issued by theaters. This image was printed in the Richmond(Indiana) Palladium Daily, 1909.

[drcy]

Fake!

("Fake" is the new hip teen slang for "not fake.")

[brianp-beme]

Originally Posted by Tao_Moko

I missed the obvious bold print with size earlier. Reason I was asking is because I knew I had seen promotional post cards from this period issued by theaters. This image was printed in the Richmond(Indiana) Palladium Daily, 1909.

I wonder if that piano player had exceptionally long arms?

Brian

[WillowGrove]

Originally Posted by SteveS

There were several theaters with that name around that time, as the nickel movie was very popular. Although his first name is spelled incorrectly on that card, the only film in which Lajoie is known to have appeared was a 1902 or 1903 silent titled "Game of Base Ball," which was just a movie of an actual game between Philadelphia and Baltimore. So perhaps this was given out at a showing of that film at that theater a few years after its original release, and maybe there are more out there of other players from that game.

Really cool pick up Leon. I like this thought and want to add that the first thing that hit me was this photo was used because Horner's portrait of Lajoie wasnt available yet. It was taken at some point in 1902. So I'm thinking this card is closer to 1902 1903.

[tkd]

That is really neat. I enjoy different ad backs especially theatre ad backs.

[Leon]

I received this email potentially dating the card to the original 1907 date that is written on it.

Leon,

As a Cleveland type collector, I too have never seen your card, but I think I unlocked the puzzle. At first it looked like maybe a Philadelphia one, since he played there before Cleveland, but I found a Nuckel Theatre in Providence, Rhode Island.

Lajoie was from Woonsocket. Rhode Island’s favorite son at that time. The Nickel Theatre was a new name in 1906, matching your card hand date.

So I believe it is legitimate and a trade card traceable to Rhode Island.

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/6599



Thoughts?
.

[oldeboo]

Originally Posted by Leon

I received this email potentially dating the card to the original 1907 date that is written on it.

Leon,

As a Cleveland type collector, I too have never seen your card, but I think I unlocked the puzzle. At first it looked like maybe a Philadelphia one, since he played there before Cleveland, but I found a Nuckel Theatre in Providence, Rhode Island.

Lajoie was from Woonsocket. Rhode Island’s favorite son at that time. The Nickel Theatre was a new name in 1906, matching your card hand date.

So I believe it is legitimate and a trade card traceable to Rhode Island.

http://cinematreasures.org/theaters/6599



Thoughts?
.

I saw that too and it might be right. I was thinking somewhere around Philadelphia or in the vicinity of his hometown above anywhere else.

I agree with the above mentions that this could potentially be connected to a moving picture that Lajoie was in, most likely produced by Siegmund Lubin. Lubin was one of the early pioneers in the film industry and was anchored in Philadelphia. Some of his baseball moving pictures focused on the success of the Athletics, so they probably had the most demand in the Philadelphia and surrounding rural areas. If the card was given out around his hometown, it may have been connected to a showing as well. It could also have just been a promotion not related to a moving picture he was in.

The 1907 date aligns with the rise of nickel theatres and the distribution of souvenirs by theatres. From the best I can tell, nickel theatres were not much of a thing until 1905, then really hit their stride by 1907. I would feel pretty confident about the 1907 date on the Lajoie card.

Check out the Lubin postcard example below. I’m not saying they are connected at all, but there are some interesting qualities.

Intriguing item.

[Leon]

Thanks for all of the info, guys. I just learned the only tidbit he had, from the person I got it from. He said it came from an estate in Brockton, MA. ...not too far from where we are talking about..

.

[oldeboo]

Originally Posted by Leon

Thanks for all of the info, guys. I just learned the only tidbit he had, from the person I got it from. He said it came from an estate in Brockton, MA. ...not too far from where we are talking about..

.

Here are more cookie crumbs back to the Rhode Island area as well. Another example of this card was owned by a fellow originally from Woonsocket. There certainly aren't a lot of these out there, but a few of them seem to have been hiding in the bushes up in New England.

Clipping is from The Atlanta Constitution 11 Oct 2001