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19th Century Baseball
5 Lots
 Lot 27. HoFer John Ward in an Impressive, Historically Significant 1888 Newspaper Print. On the front page of the Nov. 27, 1888 Daily Graphic published in New York, artwork by C. Rigby portrays the New York Giants’ star shortstop on the auction block with the caption “Slavery Days Again.” The artwork and caption refer to the predicament of major league players resulting from the actions by the baseball owners in 1887 and 1888. In 1887, the owners made the (in)famous “reserve clause” a standard part of players’ contracts. That year, Ward published an article in Lippincott’s Magazine criticizing the clause and other owner practices. He was in a position to do so because in 1885, the players had formed the Brotherhood of Professional Base Ball Players and elected him president. In the article, Ward asked, “Is the Base Ball Player a Chattel?” He specifically mentioned Chicago’s sale of King Kelly to Boston for $10,000. Kelly had no say in his sale. Matters became worse for the players in 1888. At the end of the season, Al Spalding took a group of players, including Ward, on a world tour. While Ward and they were out of the country, the owners instituted a salary classification that limited salaries to $1,500 to $2,500. The new scheme effectively lowered players’ salaries. While on the tour and as the owners’ shenanigans progressed, Ward and other players came up with the idea for a “Players League.” He and others launched the short-lived new league in 1890 after the owners declined to recognize the Brotherhood. After baseball, Ward became a successful lawyer. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1964. The Daily Graphic artwork depicting Ward and presaging the Players League is large, about 14” x 20 ½” and framed. It is incredibly clean and bright with a horizontal crease at the center where the paper was folded, and there may be a ½” border tear along the fold. Great display, and an outstanding piece of baseball history.
Winning Bid $222.
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 Lot 29. Nov. 9, 1889 Harper’s Weekly Front Page with HoF New York Catcher Buck Ewing. Batting .327 and providing leadership as the team captain, Ewing helped the Giants to win a second consecutive National League championship in 1889. Fifty years later, he was the first catcher inducted into the Hall of Fame. Many experts consider him the best all-round player of the 19th century. The 11” x 16” page containing the woodcut print of Ewing displays as vg-ex with a horizontal fold. Close-up, four edge tears are evident; all have been neatly reinforced with tape on the back. There is a very tiny chip in the upper left corner. The page is exceptionally clean and bright and will make an excellent addition to a Harper’s collection.
Winning Bid $113.
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 Lot 30. 5 1896 N301 Mayo’s Die-Cut Game Cards Representing the New York Giants. Each die-cut card is for a different position. For each card, the tab at the bottom listing the position and team has been removed. The grades indicate the condition of the card without the absence of the tab taken into account. 1. Left Fielder. A beautiful card with a tiny area of paper loss that is barely noticeable at the lower left tip; the technical grade of vg does not do the card justice. 2. Right Fielder. This card displays some inoffensive light staining on the back. The front is absolutely stunning. Ex-m. 3. Short Stop. The back exhibits some staining along with a light crease that does not show through to the front, which is an absolute stunner. Vg. 4. Third Baseman. A wonderful-looking card with blazing colors; an inoffensive crease at the bottom dictates the grade, vg. 5. Runner. A gorgeous card with tiny areas of paper loss on the front and back. Vg.
Winning Bid $121.
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 Lot 31. 3 1896 N301 Mayo’s Die-Cut Game Cards Representing the Boston N.L. Team. Known in 1896 as the “Beaneaters,” the Boston team is now the Atlanta Braves, Two of the cards are different “Runners,” one standing completely upright and the other leaning forward. The third card apparently portrays an infielder. The tab at the bottom of each card has been removed; the tab lists the position and team. The following grades indicate the condition of the card without the absence of the tab taken into account. Upright Runner vg, Second Runner ex and Infiedler vg.
Winning Bid $90.
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