Help Identifying Photo

[rand1com]

My belief is that this is a circa 1916 Boston Red Sox original photo picturing Dick Hoblitzell and team mates standing beside/behind a wreath that has a ribbon with "Success" on it.

I assume this is opening day in Boston in 1916 and the wreath was to honor the 1915 World Series Champion Red Sox. The photo is affixed to a cardboard backing so no way to see the back and I am not going to try and remove it.

I am pretty certain it is a Type l as the photographer, Richard W. Sears Boston is imprinted on the left and right sides of the photo in raised letters. I know that Sears was a famous photographer in this time period but his specialty was more historical than sports related. He passed away in 1955.

Any help identifying the celebration event other than my supposition would be appreciated.

[D. Bergin]

Is there any way to see exactly what it says on all those posters, the players are holding?

[rand1com]

Unfortunately, even with a loupe I cannot make it out. It has "Today" on it but cannot tell anything else.

Also, I have not yet been able to identify the two men in suits. I assume maybe AL President and Boston owner who may have been Harry Frazee at this time but I have not found pictures to match up yet.

[Southpaw85]

Just a guess, though a quick google search suggests WW1 bonds didn't begin until 1917...

"Buy To-Day at (army/every) ????"

Edit: https://www.ebay.com/itm/303343422534
"buy to-day at any bank (buy liberty bonds)"

Edit 2: Try 4/6/1918 - Exhibition game in NO, LA @ Pelican Stadium

[D. Bergin]

Originally Posted by Southpaw85

Just a guess, though a quick google search suggests WW1 bonds didn't begin until 1917...

"Buy To-Day at (army/every) ????"

Edit: https://www.ebay.com/itm/303343422534
"buy to-day at any bank (buy liberty bonds)"

Edit 2: Try 4/6/1918 - Exhibition game in NO, LA @ Pelican Stadium

Yeah, that definitely looks like the same signage.

[D. Bergin]

Babe probably hidden behind the big floral arrangement.

[rand1com]

Originally Posted by Southpaw85

Just a guess, though a quick google search suggests WW1 bonds didn't begin until 1917...

"Buy To-Day at (army/every) ????"

Edit: https://www.ebay.com/itm/303343422534
"buy to-day at any bank (buy liberty bonds)"

Edit 2: Try 4/6/1918 - Exhibition game in NO, LA @ Pelican Stadium

Thanks. Seems to match up with the Buy Liberty Bonds parade held that day but the game was rained out so not sure about the ceremony on the field.

Maybe the rain started after the ceremony. I am pretty sure that is Harry Frazee on the left shaking hands but I have not figured out the other man's identity yet.

If anyone knows who it is, please let me know.

[D. Bergin]

Am I the only one wondering what the deal is with that half sweater Hoblitzell is wearing?

[EddieP]

Originally Posted by rand1com

Unfortunately, even with a loupe I cannot make it out. It has "Today" on it but cannot tell anything else.

Also, I have not yet been able to identify the two men in suits. I assume maybe AL President and Boston owner who may have been Harry Frazee at this time but I have not found pictures to match up yet.

The AL President was Ban Johnson. But I don’t think that is him.

[rand1com]

Originally Posted by EddieP

The AL President was Ban Johnson. But I don’t think that is him.

I agree. It is not Johnson. May be the governor of Louisiana or mayor of New Orleans since the parade and game was being held there.

[Southpaw85]

A 1916 Fenway photo, note 'Cadillac Service Station'
https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/new...raditions.html