1865 Elysian Fields artwork....perhaps the first significant BaseBall collectible.

[dbrown]

This makes me think of the slightly earlier lithographic from the civil war prison camp, published in 1863. Not the same reach as Currier & Ives but according to the Smithsonian writeup, it was a good seller. Is there an earlier widely published image that centers on the game?

https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/july...l-war-pow-game

[benjulmag]

Originally Posted by dbrown

This makes me think of the slightly earlier lithographic from the civil war prison camp, published in 1863. Not the same reach as Currier & Ives but according to the Smithsonian writeup, it was a good seller. Is there an earlier widely published image that centers on the game?

https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/july...l-war-pow-game

That Civil War print IMO is one of the most underappreciated and undervalued items of baseball memorabilia of which I am aware. Besides being a gorgeous image, it is historically very significant because it is an accurate portrayal of how baseball became popular in the south. I have been told (though I do not posses the expertise to confirm it) that it depicts actual people, including the artist.

As to the question of whether there are earlier widely published images that centers on the game, the answer is yes -- in the form of sheet music. The two most spectacular that come to mind are the Live Oak Polka (1860) and the Home Run Quick Step (1861).

[oldjudge]

Ted-I assume that is a reprint. Is that correct?

[tedzan]

Hi Jay

My Elysian Fields picture is a print of the original Currier & Ives Litho (1866) by the Sidney Z. Lucas gallery in NYC (circa 1930's).







TED Z

T206 Reference
.

[oldjudge]

Hi Ted! I figured it was a later print. The originals are virtually impossible to find.

[dbrown]

Those sheet music examples are great, had not seen them before.

Also new to me as I looked around this afternoon, a political Currier & Ives print from 1860 featuring Abe Lincoln:



https://collections.library.nd.edu/2...club-base-ball

[barrysloate]

Corey- if I remember correctly, the artist put himself in three different places in the Civil War print. If you look closely you can find all three.

[benjulmag]

Originally Posted by barrysloate

Corey- if I remember correctly, the artist put himself in three different places in the Civil War print. If you look closely you can find all three.

That's my recollection as well.