Lot # 16: Circa 1878 Robinson and Roe Cap Anson Cabinet

Extraordinary cabinet photo of legendary Hall of Famer Cap Anson produced by the Robinson and Roe Studio of Chicago. Nineteenth-century baseball cabinets are extremely desirable, especially those of prominent Hall of Famers such as Anson. This is the first example of this particular Cap Anson cabinet photo we have ever seen. The photograph captures Anson in a suit as he poses in a formal studio setting, circa 1878. The photographer's credit, "Robinson and Roe 77 Clark St., Chicago," appears both on the base of the mount and reverse. Cap Anson was not only one of the greatest players of the 19th century but also one of the most important figures in baseball history. Anson batted over .300 in twenty-four of his twenty-seven seasons and is often credited with being the first player to amass 3,000 hits. He also proved to be a fine manager, leading the Chicago White Stockings to five pennants between the years 1880 and 1886. Anson started the practice of spring training and was also the first manager to feature a platoon system. Unfortunately, one of his longest-lasting legacies involved the formation of baseball’s color barrier. Anson was a racist and refused to take the field against teams with black ballplayers. Emboldened by Anson's defiant stance, other teams followed suit. Those protests resulted in the team owners adopting an unwritten agreement, often referred to as "the gentleman's agreement," to ban black players from organized baseball. That unwritten policy remained in effect until 1947. The cabinet card (4.25 x 6.5 inches) has Anson's name noted in black ink on the reverse, as well as minor corner wear and light toning front and back. In Very Good condition overall.