Outstanding
example of what is generally regarded as the premier nineteenth-century baseball
display piece. This enormous black-and-white lithograph was created by noted
artist Hy Sandham and pictures a game in progress at the Polo Grounds. The
Giants are at bat against an unidentified team wearing dark uniforms. The
pitcher is in mid windup, while a runner on first takes off for second. Featured
along both the top and bottom borders are individual portraits of forty-four
prominent baseball figures from the period, including players, league
officials, and team owners, all of whom are identified in print. Sandham has
signed the piece in pencil in the lower right corner of the white border. As
noted in small type near the top border, this piece was “Printed in Paris –
Copyright 1896 by Boussod Valadon & Co., Successors to Goupil & Co.,
Publishers, Paris, London & New York.”
This is the most
impressive of the three different versions of this lithograph produced during
the era and the only one featuring two sets of portrait images. (One version has
portrait images just along the base, while the other features no portrait
images, but has been hand tinted in color). In one of the other versions, the
title “A Base Ball Game” is printed along the base; however, collectors have
long referred to all three versions of the lithograph as “The 1894 Temple Cup
Print.” The main reason for that is because the date 1894 is listed below the
artist’s name in the lower right corner of the artwork. (Sandham created the
artwork in 1894, but prints were made in subsequent years; the original
painting resides in the Baseball Hall of Fame.) 1894 was the first year of the
Temple Cup, an annual postseason best-of-seven series that matched the first
and second place teams in the National League, and which was the forerunner to
today’s World Series. The Giants defeated Baltimore in four straight games to
win the first Temple Cup in 1894.
The question of whether the game scene featured here depicts the Temple Cup series or a regular-season
contest is secondary to the lithograph's incredible aesthetic appeal. Measuring an
impressive 41x28” (visible dimensions) it truly must be seen
in person to fully appreciate its scale and exceptional graphics. The piece de
resistance is the inclusion of the forty-four portrait images. Those along the upper
border picture various League officials, team owners, and managers. The bottom
portraits depict the top players in the league. Included here are National League
president A. G. Mills, National League secretary Nicholas Young, Harry Wright, A.
G. Spalding, Ned Hanlon, Chris Von Der Ahe, Frank Selee, John T. Brush, John Ward,
Cy Young, Hugh Duffy, Wilbert Robinson, Cap Anson, Ed Delehanty, Charles Comisky,
Roger Connor, and Amos Rusie.
The lithograph
displays light toning, light scattered foxing, and a few small areas of
very light staining in the white border areas. The piece has also benefitted from professional cleaning. It should be noted that most of the flaws are common to this piece and do not significantly detract from its overall Excellent to Mint appearance. This is a superb example of this
important nineteenth-century baseball display piece and one that would be a welcome
addition to any advanced collection. Matted and framed to total dimensions of 50.25x37.5". Please note: the size and/or weight of this lot will necessitate an increased shipping charge.