The Following Lot Originates from the Jake Virtue Estate Collection (click here for info.)
Edwin John McKean played 13 seasons as a Major League shortstop; all but one with the Cleveland Blues/Spiders from 1887-1899. He was signed by the Cleveland Blues of the American Association in 1887 and became the club’s starting shortstop in their first year as a MLB team. He remained at that position for that franchise (which was renamed the Spiders in 1889) for virtually its entire existence. He went on to player-manage and then, outright manage in the minors with the Rochester Bronchos from 1902-1908. He played with all the Cleveland Spiders Hall of Famers including Jesse Burkett, John Clarkson, George Davis, Buck Ewing, Bobby Wallace and the immortal Cy Young.
Ed McKean had a very productive Major League career with 2,083 hits and a lifetime batting average of .302. He drove in 1,124 runs including four seasons with 110 or more RBI and hit 66 home runs, which was considered great at that time. The home runs, coupled with a career 323 stolen bases, made McKean an early progenitor of today’s speed and power combo players.
In 1895 the Cleveland Spiders beat the Baltimore Orioles four games to one to win the “Temple Cup”. Ed McKean was an invaluable member of that team, leading the National League in plate appearances for the second time in his career. When he and most of the other best players for the Cleveland Spiders were transferred to the St. Louis Perfectos prior to the 1899 season by the Robison brothers, who owned both teams, (an unfortunate conflict of interest) it signaled the beginning of the end for the depleted Spiders, who folded after that year.
Presented here is a stunning cabinet photo of Ed McKean taken by well-known photographer G. Waldon Smith. The mounted light sepia portrayal Of McKean c. 1890-92 is flawless. The 4-1/4" x 6-1/2" mount showcases the printed logo of G. Waldon Smith at the bottom left, and maintains magnificent display quality with only trace corner wear as its only observable fault. Adding to importance of the object is the presence of McKean’s large pencil signature on the reverse with the complete notation reading, “Remembrance, Ed McKean.” McKean’s death in 1919 at the age of 55 speaks to immense rarity of his autograph today. Additional pencil writing on the bottom reverse in the hand of Jake Virtue instructs, “Return to J.K. Virtue 637 Vine St. Camden N.J.” Graded EX-MT 6(MK) by PSA. Authenticated by PSA/DNA (autograph). LOA from the Jake Virtue Estate.