Vintage baseball photographs

[Johnphotoman]

Originally Posted by bgar3

I had sent you a pm with what I knew about it, but I just pulled it out to examine more closely. I did not remember it had stamping on the back. Also, I did not know until I really examined it, that the black writing is actually on the photo, not printed in the photo. It is not an Ashburn autograph, but it is live ink, no, it is not a sharpie or anything modern. There is a slight impression seen from the back as you would expect. Not sure what any of this means. I had assumed it was part of an issue of some sort, a part of whatever you have. If your Ashburn has a signature in the photo, not on it and it is identical, this may be what was copied. I like it either way. Are all of yours blank backed?

Yes, the name on the photo was made with the print. It is what people call a facsimile autograph. Yes, the image is very clear, but I have been told because of the name in the text as a facsimile would make them a Type three. Because of the specific italic front...To do this the name was added to the original, then take a new negative which would be a duplicate. But all duplicates are of inferior quality...if yours is like mine it is of superior quality, not inferior.

[Michael B]

These were not limited to baseball. There were also Olympians - Bob Mathias and Barney Ewell come to mind. I believe there were also some made for football players. You are incorrect in calling them autographs. It is the athletes name printed in a readable cursive/script style. Most of them were mass produced photos for sale to the public. I believe you could purchase them from the back of sporting news and other publications. Yes, they were originally printed around the period that the photos were taken however, I have seen newer versions of these probably/possibly printed in the 1970's or 1980's. Without feeling the paper it is impossible to tell. I had, at one time, a copy of the Ewell photo autographed by him. It was this style but probably a later reprint.

[Johnphotoman]

Yes, for football players, I have 4 in the collection, and they are just like the baseball photos. Thank you for the great info, John