Could this mystery photo be an 1870s baseball player?

[drc]

I don't think he's a baseball player. Perhaps he's a sailor. Without the presence of a bat or ball, it's often difficult to be certain that a person is or isn't a baseball player (though it's often easy to weed out those who obviously aren't). For example, 1870s baseball jerseys and 1870s firemen jersey can be almost identical. Without a hose or baseball bat it can be impossible to know 100 percent what the guy is. Luckily, many old baseball players posed with a bat and/or ball. Sometimes the uniform is so clearly baseball, that you can be confident it's a baseball player without any equipment.

[barrysloate]

It also looks to me more like a sailor's uniform. Without equipment showing, or any other corroborating evidence, these CdV's are just a crapshoot. My gut is it is not baseball.

[Butch7999]

Our thought, too, was that the outfit had a vaguely nautical look, but not an "official," military, nautical look -- suggesting the possibility this might be a competitive rower (rowing being huge in the late 19th century). Just a gut feeling here, as well. If true, though, keeps it in the "sports memorabilia" arena... maybe...

[smokelessjoe]

Hi Michele,

I think this is the photographer that is listed on your photo... Perhaps this info can help in some way?

[william_9]

Interesting information. If I'm reading it correctly, Mr Nickerson's death was caused by Bright's Disease on June 7, 1912. They must have assumed the worst from the outset as he was laid to rest on May 10, 1912.