1878 ca. Game in Action CDV - Pitcher? (large pic)

[molenick]

Well, I was just going by the article saying the building did not have two steeples until 1876. Also by https://www.langdonroad.com/fo-to-fy having the earliest public reference to French, J. A. being 1874. I guess the article could be wrong and maybe there are earlier references to be discovered. But those are two clues pointing to the mid-1870s as the earliest.

[Leon]

Originally Posted by molenick

Well, I was just going by the article saying the building did not have two steeples until 1876. Also by https://www.langdonroad.com/fo-to-fy having the earliest public reference to French, J. A. being 1874. I guess the article could be wrong and maybe there are earlier references to be discovered. But those are two clues pointing to the mid-1870s as the earliest.

I don't disagree on the findings but have you ever seen players in the 1870s dressed and playing like that?
It reminds me of this one..

[molenick]

Well, I am not sure if we have determined if they are playing or posing yet. All we know for sure is that someone is swinging a bat and everyone except the batter is wearing jackets.

[D. Bergin]

I think they are playing, but probably more of a casual practice, exhibition or just batting practice, then a full on game.

Hell, could just be gym class at the college, for all anybody knows.

Also, it's New Hampshire. It gets cold in New Hampshire. Could explain why almost nobody has their jacket off, except the guy who needs to swing the bat.

[GaryPassamonte]

Since J A French didn't start his business until 1874 and the double steeple wasn't built until 1876, we can be sure this cdv is post 1876. The cdv appears to have a thick mount with obvious rounded corners as made. This mount style would have been popular circa 1875-1880. Given the image was taken in the 1875-1880 time frame, we can surmise it most likely pictures a casual game or practice of baseball by students of the seminary. We may never know if the player on the right is a pitcher or not, but it may really not matter. Any "game action" cdv is rare. At one time my collection included about 75 baseball cdvs and less than 5 were "game action" images.
Leon- The second cdv you posted is almost certainly circa 1870 or a little bit earlier given the long pants worn by the players and the possible knickers worn by a one of the players. I say possible because the "knickers" player may just have his pants tied up. As you know, I have a copy of that cdv. For my money, it is the best "game action" cdv I have ever seen. It has close ups of players, an umpire, and a scorekeeper. That is hard to top.

[SteveS]

I believe this guy is the pitcher. Also, here's a stereoview I have that's also by French.

[GaryPassamonte]

Originally Posted by SteveS

I believe this guy is the pitcher. Also, here's a stereoview I have that's also by French.

+1