Watercolor on artist's paper emanates from preeminent "Baseball Magazine" cover artist Gerrit Beneker. Stunning preliminary cover art "Opening Day" of 1912, with marching drummer in forefront of a parade of players ready for opening game action, measures 7x10". Folded for mailing, and other minor wear. Shown here is the original cover this was used to produce, not included with lot. Marching baseballers stirs images of the players of the World War I era getting ready for the Great War the isolationist U.S. long resisted. Recently discovered original from the hands of Gerrit Beneker (1882-1934), the master illustrator who did covers for a myriad of publications of the early 20th century. He is best known however, for the 30 covers he painted for "Baseball Magazine" during their key formative years of 1911-14. These works defined not only the look and feel of the first ever U.S. baseball monthly magazine, but for baseball illustration art for decades to come.