19th Century Magazines With Incredible Baseball Content (4)

Bidding

This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/3/2025

This is an amazing grouping of iconic national and international magazines from 135 years ago, publications that ranked among the most important of the era, and an array that features simply remarkable baseball content. From the London News to the American Boy, Harper’s Weekly and the Saturday Evening Post, the National Pastime is featured prominently, in most cases predating the dawn of the American and National Leagues at the turn of the century. Here’s the breakdown: 1) 1889 The Illustrated London News, American Edition, from April 6, 1889, 16-by-11 ½ inches in overall Good condition, with a dozen pages including a 16-by-23-inch centerfold detailing “American Baseball Players at Kensington Oval,” and noting the visit by the Prince of Wales. The section is highlighted by the simply incredible pen-and-ink artwork that prevailed in magazines and newspapers at the time, with Hall of Famers Cap Anson and John Montgomery Ward showing up in the centerfold; 2) A full page from “The American Boy” from January of 1911, 16-by-10 ½ inches, and featuring an article entitled “Useful Hints for Outdoor Boys.” Indoor boys apparently need not avail themselves of the information.; 3) 1890 Harper’s Weekly, Opening Day of 1890 Sears Supplement, four pages at 11 ¼-by-16 inches, again with stunning pen-and-ink artwork depicting the likes of Cap Anson, John Montgomery War, John Clarkson, Charles Comiskey and King Kelly; and 4) Saturday Evening Post, inside page advertising 10-by-13 ½ inches, with no folio on the page but likely from around 1912 or so, given the charming advertising for Colgan’s Chips featuring prominent baseball players.