When is a Charles Conlon photograph not a Charles Conlon photograph? The answer: when it pictures Charles Conlon on the field taking a photograph during a game between the New York Highlanders and Chicago White Sox at Hilltop Park. This remarkable glass negative, taken from the perspective of the upper grandstand, captures just that. The image pictures Conlon on one knee, just next to the first base coach, as he takes a photo of a Chicago player sliding into first base in an attempt to beat the first baseman to the bag. The result of the play is clearly evident, as we can see the field umpire with his right arm raised, signaling "out." Charles Conlon is considered to be the greatest photographer of his day, but photos of him at work are practically nonexistent. This is the first such image we can recall having seen and it originates from the legendary Brown Brothers Photo Archive, where it was found with several other negatives taken by Conlon. The negative is accompanied by its original paper sleeve, upon which Conlon has written "Myself on Field." Although no year is listed, the Highlanders uniform style shown here was used by the club only in 1909 and 1910, thereby conclusively dating it to that narrow two-year span. Unfortunately, we do not know the history behind this image, or the name of the photographer, but we can only assume it was one of Conlon's photographer friends who made a gift of it to him. The negative (5x4") displays a few tiny areas of emulsion loss along the perimeter and several numbers are written along the left border. This is an extraordinary photo and one that would be among the highlights of any advanced Charles Conlon photograph collection. Please note: the positive image seen on our website is for illustrative purposes only and does not accompany the negative; only the negative is offered in this lot.

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