This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/24/2018
The Following Lot Originates from the Jake Virtue Estate Collection (click here for info.)
Before baseball cards were the norm for capturing the images of the game’s greats, photographic studios produced collectible cabinet photographs. Individual players as well as team composites were widely collected, and to meet the demand, Tomlinson Studios of Detroit produced a series depicting the 1887 Detroit Wolverines. Several individual player cabinets are known to exist along with a handsome composite depicting the entire team, which first won the National League pennant before defeating the St. Louis Browns in the World Series. This stunning cabinet composite features no less than four Hall of Famers – Dan Brouthers, Ed Hanlon, Deacon White and Sam Thompson. Also making an appearance is Charlie Getzien who led the league in wins (29), games started (42), complete games (41), innings pitched (366.2) and strikeouts (135). Below the portraits of the championship team is the legend “Champions of the League.” Measuring 4-1/4" by 6-1/2", the offered cabinet is the finest condition example we've seen surface in the hobby. In spite of a conservative EX+ 5.5 grade from PSA, the item appears is in near flawless condition. While most of the few surviving Tomlinson Detroit team cabinets have faded with time, the image on this example remains sharp and clear. The reverse has the Tomlinson studio advertisement flawlessly printed in ornate period graphics. The overall state of preservation in nothing less than extraordinary given its age of more than a century-and-a-quarter. The cabinet originates from the personal collection of Jake Virtue, first baseman of the Cleveland Spiders. A remarkable homage to Detroit’s first championship team. LOA from the Jake Virtue Estate.