Lot # 2258: 1908 "A Yard of the National Game" Chicago Cubs Panorama

This impressive panoramic display, issued in honor of the Chicago Cubs' 1908 World Championship season, features a large photo of a game in progress, above which are displayed portrait images of 22 members of the 1908 Chicago Cubs. The portrait photos of manager Frank Chance, president Charles Murphy, secretary Charles Thomas, and treasurer Charles Williams are featured along the right and left borders of the photo. An illustration of an upright bear at either end completes the decorative motif. The large caption along the base reads "A Yard of the National Game," so named because the photo measures three feet in length. The central image, featuring a game in progress at West Side Park, was taken by photographer Robert Hall and many of the portrait photos are recognizable as those originating from the famed Horner Studio in Boston. While we cannot state with certainty, the central photo probably depicts a 1908 World Series game, especially given the overflow crowd seated in the outfield. Included among the portrait photos are the other two members of the club's legendary double-play trio, Joe Tinker and Johnny Evers, as well as Mordecai Brown, Orval Overall, Ed Reulbach, Frank Schulte, Pat Moran, John Pfiester, Harry Steinfeldt, Jim Slagle, Jim Sheckard, and Carl Lundgren. This display piece, issued by E. T. Johnson & Co. (publishers of the club's official scorecard), was obviously produced immediately after the 1908 World Series, as its fully captioned title along the base reads: "A Yard of the National Game/Home of the Record=Breaking Cubs/Thrice Champions of the National League 1906=1907=1908/1907=Champions of the World=1908." A 1908 copyright date also appears below the central photo. This is one of several different "A Yard of the National Game" prints produced to honor the Cubs between the years 1907 and 1911, with each year's version featuring a similar design but with different photos and captions. All are scarce. The piece (44.75 x 14.5 inches) displays edge tears (one of which touches upon the Johnny Kling portrait and another upon the Charles Williams portrait), missing pieces, and creases along the border areas, as well as heavy staining along the right edge. A number of light creases are noticeable throughout. Although technically in Poor condition, it is an extremely attractive and substantial display piece commemorating the Cubs' second consecutive World Championship. Mounted and matted to total dimensions of 48 x 19.25 inches. The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot.