This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2010
Baltimore Orioles started the 1895 season as the reigning champions of the National League and eager to avenge their loss of the Temple Cup to the New York Giants. The offered souvenir program from the personal collection of Willie Keeler was issued for the “Opening Baseball Games” of the 1895 season, a series of three games at Union Park in Baltimore against Philadelphia. The program includes yearbook style player bios and accompanying portrait photographs including John McGraw, "Wee Willie" Keeler, Wilbert Robinson, Hughie Jennings, Joe Kelley, Dan Brouthers, and "Kid" Gleason, as well as an introductory tribute to manger Ned Hanlon. The program is missing its front and back cover. The complete interior remains structurally sound with fairly fresh pages. A faint vertical fold line is visible. Baltimore would win its second consecutive National League pennant in 1895, but once again lost in the Temple Cup series, where they were defeated by second-place Cleveland. Program interior graded EX with note to missing cover. This was Wee Willie Keeler’s personal copy and comes with a letter of provenance from the Keeler family.