King Kelly

[yanks12025]

Hello,
A friend of my fathers found this in the attic of a house he just cleaned out, do you guys think it's real and worth anything. He believe's it may be King Kelly! Any thoughts, I cant understand the writing on the back, something Kelly August 10th, 1891.

[cyseymour]

Believe it reads "the only original Kelley". Very interesting piece.

[Bocabirdman]

Originally Posted by cyseymour

Believe it reads "the only original Kelley". Very interesting piece.

I read the same. Cool piece for sure.

[z28jd]

On Aug 10,1891 King Kelly was at Pendleton Park in Cincinnati. His team played an afternoon game against the Philadelphia Athletics. Being the manager, he was definitely there. Six days later, the team folded. Don't know if that helps, maybe another pic from that park or matching up the uniforms will help

[Jaybird]

Assuming he's talking about the guy with the bat. Unfortunately, his face is completely obscured by the bat. So, even if it was him, not the best shot of him. From a purely aesthetic point of view, not a great picture. Can't get a sense of the crowd, stadium, field.

I'd say the value would be purely as a baseball related cabinet. $50 or less. But that's just one man's opinion.

[cyseymour]

He's kind of slouching a little bit the same way he does in the four base hits card. Seems like the same physique, as well. I wouldn't be surprised at all if it were him.

[honus94566]

I love seeing photos like this, staring at them and wishing I could just walk right through them like a "stargate" type portal. Would be amazing to go back in time and see how things really were back then.

[packs]

It might be him. But there was that Chicago cabinet that sold on eBay not too long ago where everyone bid on it because the player was labeled as a Players League player on the back. However, it didn't actually turn out to be a player on the team. I'd be careful of inscriptions.

[oldjudge]

My sense is that by 1891 Kelly was quite a bit more portly than either fellow in the picture. I doubt that it is him.

[nsaddict]

I feel there is a good possibility it could be him. In 1891 he was only 34 (don't think the spare tire was in town yet) but sadly passed away a few years later.

[oldjudge]

By 1891 Kelly was in decline. He hit .286 in a multi-team season and would never hit .300 again. My guess is that lard ass would be an appropriate physical description and I stick to my view that he was quite a bit heavier than either gentleman in the photo.

[Bugsy]

Sorry, but I don't think it is him. Here he is in 1892...

[yanks12025]

Originally Posted by Bugsy

Sorry, but I don't think it is him. Here he is in 1892...

What player is him?

[packs]

Pretty sure its the fat guy on the stool

[Bugsy]

Yep, the paunchy gentleman on the stool.

[yanks12025]

So my fathers friend decided just to give me the photo. Even though it's no Kelly, still a nice old baseball photo. thanks for the thoughts about it guys.