Lot # 86: 1889 G. Waldon Smith Cabinet Billy Nash PSA EX-MT 6 (MK) - Ex-Hardy Richardson Estate

Graded EX-MT 6 (MK). Striking professional studio portrait cabinet of Boston Beaneaters third baseman Billy Nash, circa 1889. Manufactured by G. Waldon Smith Studios of Boston, Massachusetts, as noted in print along the base of the mount. Waldon Smith was one of the most prominent Boston-area photographers specializing in baseball subjects during the 1880s and early 1890s. Nash is pictured in uniform as he gazes away from the camera. Nash was a consistent third baseman in Boston for 11 of his 15 years in the Majors, twice hitting 10 home runs (which was a big deal at the time). He later became player/manager of the Philadelphia club and is responsible for discovering legendary Hall of Famer Nap Lajoie. This particular cabinet comes with the unique provenance of originating directly from the personal collection of Hardy Richardson (which appeared at public auction in 2020), who was a member of the Boston Beaneaters in 1889. (This is one of three cabinets from the Richardson estate featured in this auction.) The cabinet (4.25 x 6.5 inches) is bright, fresh, and impeccably clean, with a crisp image. The mount is virtually flawless, with very light touches of wear visible at the corners. The handwritten identification "Nash - 3rd Base" appears in pencil along the top of the reverse.