1874 Baseball Pictures

[dbrown]

These aren't real — the originals are in the New York Public Library, which has published a lot of high-res images from their collection. Looks like someone traced the original 19th c. handwriting to make it readable, on top of a digital print. (Originals from the collection of A.G. Spalding, no less.)

https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/...0-e00a18064a99

https://digitalcollections.nypl.org/...0-e00a18064a99

(Tineye.com reverse image search is a great tool)

David

[drcy]

Agree, your 1880s cabinets are good for comparison, though the mounts on 1870s cabinets may be thinner. They were made with the same albumen photographic process.

If it's a reprint, the images are more than likely digital prints and will have a multi-color dot pattern under strong magnification. Real photo images were made by chemical reaction under light and so have no printed pattern. A dot pattern is a givewaway that they're fake.

As mentioned, the photographic prints were on very thin paper pasted to the mounts-- and not printed directly onto them. Same as with the cabinets you have (use them as reference) The real photographic prints would have a different gloss than the mount, and the 1800s images often have a gloss to them.

Use a blacklight if you have one. Will identify many modern reprints right away, as blacklight identifies much modern paper and cardstock.

[chlankf]

Thanks David & Drcy

I have asked for high resolution front and back scans. I now seriously doubt the are original prints now. Still, I am hopeful the scans reveal the same backing was used showing the studio. I also want to compare the writings on each verses the Spalding collection images.

Could it be possible that the studio made multiple copies?

The seller has other items I was interested in. Here are those images. Any thoughts on these?

[Bpm0014]

These aren't real — the originals are in the New York Public Library

That's why this is the most knowledgeable sports memorabilia board in the world!

[bgar3]

Yes, there are multiple copies of this issue of cabinets that are known and possible. I believe done prior to the world tour of 1874.
It is highly unlikely these are among them. Reread post 11. Putting aside the handwriting issue, note the differences, especially color, clarity and most Importantly it is obvious the Spalding collection copies are real photos, not printed as has been mentioned by prior posters, one of whom actually wrote the article you cited in your first post.
Be very careful.

[chlankf]

I just received high quality front and back scans and have spoken to to auction house selling them. The two I posted about are indeed artificially aged copies. They are blank backed with poor streaky images. I have relayed the information to the AH and they ate going to pull them from the auction or change the listing to copies.

I want thank everyone who chimed in and possibly saved me from making a large financial mistake. There is no doubt that this forum has the greatest knowledge base in the collecting community.

Sincerely
Craig

[Leon]

Originally Posted by jpop43

They eerily resemble these two images that were recently posted to ebay out of the UK...marked in exactly the same manner...they make me squeamish.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-19th-c...kAAOSwlpZaU1~m

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Rare-19th-c...0AAOSwmSdaU1hg

I'm not an image expert, but I'd steer clear.

Jon
www.dugouttreasures.com

I have been seeing these copies for years it seems. Most of the times fakes and reprints won't be near as focused as the real thing. They look grainy.