Lot # 64: 1888 Gardner & Co. Studio Cabinet Bob Caruthers

Formal studio cabinet photo of St. Louis Browns pitcher Bob Caruthers, produced in 1888 by Gardner & Co. Studio out of Brooklyn. The photographer's name and address ("Gardner & Co." and "276 & 278 Fulton St., Brooklyn, N.Y.") are printed along the front base of the mount. Nineteenth-century baseball cabinets are extremely desirable. Caruthers was one of the most dominating pitchers of the 1880s. In just nine years in the Majors, he compiled a 218-99 record, including individual season records of 40-13 (1885), 30-14 (1886), 29-9 (1887), 29-15 (1888), 40-11 (1889), and 23-11 (1890). His .688 winning percentage ranks third all-time. Playing only nine years in the Majors, Caruthers is not eligible for election to the Hall of Fame (a minimum of ten years is required), but he was certainly a Hall of Fame-caliber pitcher. The card (4-1/8 x 6-3/8 inches) displays light handling wear and a few pencil marks on the reverse. Very Good condition overall.