Trying to identify four cabinet cards 1880s-1890s

[prewinter]

I was browsing online last night and I came across four cabinet cards from an auction in 2019 (https://www.huntauctions.com/live/im...t_qual=&closed), with the players identified as Tommy Tucker, Tom Vickery, Joe Sommers and Ben Stephens. However, the cards were not specifically identified as to who was whom. The only one I am positive about is Tom Vickery (upper left), who matches his photo on Baseball-Reference. I think Tommy Tucker is the lower left.

I'm hoping someone here can verify the identities, perhaps because they are familiar with the exact cards. Thanks for any help!

Cabinets-4.jpg

[jcmtiger]

I think top right is Ben Stephans, I checked the Old Judge Book. Did not have a mustache. Did not find Summers in the book. Joe. Now I think it might be Sommers top right

[spec]

I believe the lower right cabinet pictures Joe Simmons, not Sommers.

[robertsmithnocure]

Out of curiosity, how was Hunt able to identify them as baseball players? Did they come from a particular collection that had provenance? So the backs of the cards have any clues?

[RUKen]

Originally Posted by robertsmithnocure

Out of curiosity, how was Hunt able to identify them as baseball players? Did they come from a particular collection that had provenance? So the backs of the cards have any clues?

The Tommy Tucker image appears on an 1889 composite of the Baltimore team (middle row, second from the left).

[spec]

As I recall, these were part of a large group of photos that came from the files of the long-defunct Clipper newspaper, which specialized in sports and theatre. Many were identified on the reverse in longhand, which was often difficult to decipher, thus Hunt reading Joe Simmons as Joe Sommers, for instance.

[robertsmithnocure]

Thanks for posting that composite. The resources on this board are really something else.

Makes sense that they originated from the files of the Clipper. Figured that they must have been identified in their backs or published somewhere.