I Don't Tout Too Many Auction Items But..1890-92 Ryder Studio Cabinet Cy Young

[nolemmings]

Originally Posted by oldjudge

Hi Todd! I rarely ever disagree with you but I will to some extent on this. In 1890 all leagues were suffering, but the Players League was actually doing better than the NL. In fact, after the 1890 season the PL was preparing for an 1891 season. To strengthen the league Buffalo, the weakest team, was being dropped and a group of PL executives, including John Ward, in early-October, 1890 purchased the Cincinnati NL team, with the thought of adding it to the PL to replace Buffalo. It was only later that Al Spaulding hoodwinked some PL magnates into believing the NL was doing fine and they caved and the league collapsed. Also, if the street clothes pose and the pose in uniform were from the same photo shoot they would probably have the same mount, and they don't.

That’s OK Jay– you put more time than me in studying the 19th Century leagues. My recollection though is that the league was not doing well–none were but the established leagues could take the financial hit better. The new league could not withstand another down year is what I always believed but admittedly I have not researched the subject. My point however was that there was uncertainty in the next year’s team roster such that it would not make sense to take the photos in late 1890 for use the following year if players were going to be gone. I note that your 1891 composite schedule features at least three players who came from the PL the prior year, along with Childs and Doyle who joined from the American Association. That’s more than a third of the team shown. That composite was not printed before mid-March 1891 when McAleer signed, so there was ample time in 1891 for the photographer to let the dust settle in configuring who to include on the composite and get them in for a photo shoot. Why they might feel the need to do this in late 1890 escapes me.
I am the furthest thing from a 19th century photo guy but I do not see the different mounts as being overly significant. Ebay shows a whole slew of different mounts used by Ryder during the relevant period. It could be that the photo subject got to choose among multiple mounts, or that multiples were available and little attention paid as to what was used. I can see how they might use the same mount for all players in uniform for purposes of, well, uniformity, but that different mounts might be used for the street clothes photos. What I meant by the "same sitting" could have extended over a couple of days when the team was in town. It would not surprise me if each player was first photographed in uniform and when the last was done they went back in for a personal photo to be given to family and friends that had them dressed in their best clothes. In this regard it would similarly not surprise me if they got a fresh shave and combed their hair for the occasion. Just my two cents.

[oldjudge]

Todd--what you say is certainly possible. We'll probably never know for sure.