Help dating an item
 

Posted By: <b>John S</b><p>Any ideas? My guess is late 1890's. Maybe someone knows a little more. The back is blank (unfortunately, the ornate photographer' ads sometimes found on the back are really cool). The cabinet is about 4" x 6". Share some of yours if you have them.<br /><br /><img src="http://www.network54.com/Realm/tmp/1217853936.JPG">

Help dating an item
 

Posted By: <b>davidcycleback</b><p>My guess is 1890s.

Help dating an item
 

Posted By: <b>Bob Lemke</b><p>That was the "official" spelling of the Steel City's name from 1890-1911, though by no means universally adopted.

Help dating an item
 

Posted By: <b>Michael Moran</b><p>I can't make out the lettering on the ball - is it "C. A. P."? When I see C. and Pittsburg I think Carnegie.

Help dating an item
 

Posted By: <b>Keith</b><p>Nice photo John. I think I was an underbidder on that one about a month ago on ebay. I too think the photo is from the probable mid 1890's. If I recall correctly, I think the seller stated that the ball read CAR, and though that that was in reference to the same street as the photogarpher was on - Carson Street - which didn't make that much sense to me. Looks like it could read CAP as well. If I remember correctly, the same seller has another 1890's Pittsburgh football cabinet photo that ended the same day. That photo had a player with a P on his chest, and the player was more of an adult looking player where as your photo looks like it could be a high school player.

Help dating an item
 

Posted By: <b>John S</b><p>The player looks young, but if you look at many of the semi-pro photos from Western PA in the late nineteenth century their teams are supplemented with teenagers. Brailer from Latrobe would be a good example. Its difficult to argue however that the boy in this picture is a hardened pro. <br /><br />Regarding the ball, the first two letters are defintiely "C." and "A.". The third letter seems to be a P. or another letter with a single left downstroke as the "." after that letter is visible. The photo itself is slightly blurry so that makes identifying the third letter more difficult.<br /><br />As Mike stated C may stand for Carnegie and A possibly for Athletic. Keep the guesses coming! Thanks.

Help dating an item
 

Posted By: <b>Dave</b><p>C.A.F. is a possibility (Carnegie athletic field) but wasn't built until 1910