Help Request Re: Background Info on 1888 Boston Baseball Club Trade Card, $100 Reward

[oldjudge]

I’m not sure why PSA is reluctant to slab the trade card, despite their questions. Obviously, Hastings was the source of the art work. They probably sold some prints themselves and also sold the use of the art work in advertising. In this case John Andrews & Co. was their client. My guess is that Hastings printed the trade cards for Andrews for a fee, although I guess it is possible that they were printed by a third party. I would also not be surprised if other similar trade cards with different advertisers turn up. This is really no different that Felix Mendelssohn selling his photographs to be used by various businesses for advertising.