Educate Me On The 1869 Red Stockings Card

[sandmountainslim]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

There's a Peck and Snyder version of the image that was sold in the famous sporting goods store, although I imagine good customers who spent a lot of money would have gotten them for free. There is also a Cdv version of it, and we are not exactly sure how these were distributed. Since the 1869 Reds were by far the most popular team of the era, it's safe to assume a fairly large number of them were printed. Quite a few survive today, probably at least 25 are known in various styles.

Thanks Barry. I had wondered about the distribution of the card. 25 is FAR more than I had expected existed!

[barrysloate]

The number 25 is just a guess but I bet it isn't too far off. I've probably seen at least 15 different over the years and I don't claim to have seen them all.

And there are at least four different known Peck and Snyders: 1) black with a sporting goods ad on the back; 2) red with the same ad (and it is a hair smaller); 3) black with an ice skating ad; and 4) CdV with P & S advertising on it. And there is a CdV that advertises Henry Chadwick's book, as well as those those with the team roster printed on the reverse; and there are some that are blank backed. So clearly it was very popular as it went through numerous printings.

[oldjudge]

The CdV that Barry mentions with the ad for Chadwick's book on the back is the only Cincinnati that can clearly be dated as it was for Chadwick's 1869 guide. As such, it is the most desireable of all the CdVs. The other CdVs and trade cards could have been issued contemporaneously or at a later time.

[GaryPassamonte]

Regardless of the style, trade card or CdV, given its rarity and the significance of the subject, I believe the 1869 Cincinnati cards to be among the most underpriced of all baseball related cards. Any opinions? Also, if the 1869 Cincinnati card is not the most historically significant card, which card is?

[Leon]

Originally Posted by GaryPassamonte

Regardless of the style, trade card or CdV, given its rarity and the significance of the subject, I believe the 1869 Cincinnati cards to be among the most underpriced of all baseball related cards. Any opinions? Also, if the 1869 Cincinnati card is not the most historically significant card, which card is?

I am biased but I agree. I feel this could easily be a 100k card in the future. Even if we double Barry's estimate and go to 50, it is still undervalued imo....It is the undisputed first professional baseball card, imo. (where "professional" means the player(s) were paid to play).

[barrysloate]

As Jay mentioned, some of the subsequent printings could have been as late as the early 1870's, as the team retained its popularity for quite some time. We just don't know. We also don't know who the photographer was. Most CdV's do have the photographer's name imprinted on the mount, not so with the Red Stockings. Has anyone ever come across any information regarding who took that famous shot?

[kllrbee]

Not exactly about the card, but some fun info.

George Wright is said to have played in 52 of the 57 games played that year hitting .518 with 339 runs scored of which 59 were homeruns.

Sure, it was a different game then....but how bout those numbers!

[GaryPassamonte]

Barry- I think we all can agree that both the trade cards and the CdVs were issued within a small time frame. Let's say this time frame was a few years. The fact still remains that the population of all Cincinnati cards is small. Almost definitely less than the the T206 Wagner and, as we know, T206s were issued over a span of a few years generally, also. Back to my original premise: Rarity, historical significance, relatively low value. I guess the card just lacks a great story or legend behind it to increase its popularity and its value.