O/T-- Mayo Football Poe Card

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Posted By: Rhett Yeakley

Sorry about this post for all those offended by anything other than baseball, but it is definately vintage. I was doing some reading lately and came across a great picture of all 6 Poe's that played for Princeton between 1880's and 1900's. Keeping mind that the photo is likely from around 1900-1902, which of these guys is the player pictured in the Mayo card. I have my idea but would like others opinions. Most people and reference material say the guy is Neilson, but I don't know if I agree, he (to me at least) looks the least likely.

Here is a photo of the Poe Mayo card to go by

-Rhett

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Posted By: Elliot

I'll go with the obvious answer....top left. Hair is center parted, he has a moustache, and he looks a few years older than when the Mayo photo was taken.

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Posted By: Rhett Yeakley

Actually, it can't be him, that is S. Johnson Poe who graduated from Princeton in 1884.

Anyways, here are the guys' names from left to right and the year they graduated...
1.) Arthur Poe, 1900
2.) S. Johnson Poe, 1884
3.) Neilson Poe, 1897
4.) Edgar Allen Poe, 1891
5.) Gresham N. Poe, 1902
6.) John P. Poe Jr, 1895

-Rhett Yeakley

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Posted By: Joe D.

would be the guy holding the ball or the guy to the furthest right in the photo.

one of those two.


and if I have to pick one... I go with the guy holding the ball.


edit to say: Paging John S.... your opinion here is needed.

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Posted By: barrysloate

Joe- those were exactly the same two I was thinking...also, I recall that these guys were related to the famous poet, and since one is actually named Edgar Allen Poe, I guess I am correct.

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Posted By: Steve M.

Far right

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Posted By: Joe D.

I believe the poet is the great uncle to the boys pictured.

http://www.the-game.org/cards-mayocards4.htm

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Posted By: barrysloate

The poet died in Baltimore in 1849, lying in the gutter...so none of these clean cut chaps knew their drunken uncle.

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Posted By: Rhett Yeakley

Joe D., you are correct about the relation.

Like I said, I have a good idea who it is, I just wan't other peoples opinions, just to make sure my eyes aren't playing tricks on me.
-Rhett

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Posted By: Michael Blaisdell

Early hobby publications initially thought it was Edgar Allen, but he had completed his playing days in 1891. Both John and Nielson played during the mid 1890’s at about the time the Mayo set was issued. After researching team photographs from the period, I believe the Poe in the Mayo set is Nielson Poe. I used the 1894 Princeton team photo for my comparison:



I also imagine the photo of the brothers was taken some time after their playing days as I believe the youngest brother last played in 1899.

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Posted By: Rhett Yeakley

Michael, that is a great shot of Neilson, that looks an awful lot like him. He must have REALLY cleaned himself off for the brothers photo. Due to the dating of the Mayo card, there is really only 2 options, either John or Neilson. I was actually thinking John, but your pic tends to say something different. On that same team photo is there a picture of John Jr?
-Rhett Yeakley

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Posted By: Joe D.

so which one is nielson in your photo?

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Posted By: Rhett Yeakley

Here is another picture of Neilson in 1896, he must have really changed during the 2 years between the pictures, because he looks really different here. He must have been a first year player in 1894, as he was a senior in 1897.
-Rhett

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Posted By: Michael Blaisdell

John Prentiss Poe was not pictured in the 1894 team photo. From what I understand he was in and out of school for various reasons during his time at Princeton. One interesting fact about John is that he had an adventurous streak and became a soldier of fortune. He would later be killed (1915) in action during World War I fighting with the British as a member of the Scottish regiment "the Black Watch".

Mike

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Posted By: Rhett Yeakley

Joe, Neilson is the guy sitting lowest to the ground in the middle
-Rhett