The Following Lot Originates from the Jake Virtue Estate Collection (click here for info.)
Jacob (Jake) Kitchline “Guesses” Virtue was a Major League first baseman from 1890-1894 and spent his entire professional career with the Cleveland Spiders. His most productive seasons were 1891 & 1892 when he played in more than 100 games each year. In 1891 he hit 14 triples (5th in the National League) and led the NHL with 1465 put-outs. In 1892 Jake hit 20 triples; Second best in the NL. That year the Cleveland Spiders lost a best-of-nine playoff for the pennant to the Boston Beaneaters.
In 1893 Virtue demonstrated his versatility by playing other positions besides first base including outfield, third base, short stop and even pitcher for five innings in a single game. Following the 1894 season he suffered a stroke which forced him to retire. He died in 1943 at the age of 77. Virtue played with HOFer’s Jesse Burkett, John Clarkson, George Davis, Buck Ewing and the immortal Cy Young. Thanks to his foresight as an early collector and his family’s appreciation for his accomplishments and their historical significance, the Jake Virtue collection comes to light 124 years after his last at bat. And yes, he collected his own cabinet card.
The offered 1891-92 John H. Ryder cabinet card features a wonderful studio portrait of Jake Virtue. The photographer's credit, "John H. Ryder - High Art Photographer – 211 Superior St. Cleveland, O.," appears along the base of the mount and the company’s “Ryder Portraits” logo appears on back. The photographic image, which displays exceptional clarity and contrast, exhibits minimal faults save for a small crease at the left edge. The cardboard mount (4-1/4" x 6-1/2") displays normal handling faults along all four corners, some small surface abrasions, and some scattered stain spots on the reverse. LOA from the Jake Virtue Estate.