Recently discovered 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. This incredible collection includes: 1) The only known proof cover for October 1910 issue of Baseball Magazine. The "Philadelphia Number" is an homage to the 1910 World Series where the Philadelphia Athletics destroyed the Chicago Cubs' last hurrah till 2016. Features old-timey baseball scene with straw hats and the old planks (as in Eddie!). Blank-backed, it measures 11.5x8.5" and is NM. 2) An amazing watercolor mounted on a June 1911 never-published proof cover as a shortcut to not have to create the Baseball Magazine masthead from scratch. Spectacular preliminary cover art ultimately became the August 1911 cover. This "Players' Number" featured Cleveland Naps riding in old baseball trolley with Nap Lajoie, Cy Young (in his final season), and a young Shoeless Joe Jackson. Measuring 7.5x10" and is EX. 3) A stunning watercolor cover art for "Opening Day" of 1912, with marching drummer in forefront of a parade of players ready for opening game action. 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. Measures 7x10" and is VG.