Lot # 44: 1865 Harper's Weekly Philadelphia vs. Brooklyn Baseball Woodcut in Framed Display

During the 19th century, most baseball fans were acquainted with the game's top stars and clubs by the wonderful woodcut illustrations appearing in various illustrated newspapers of the day, one of the most prominent of which was Harper's Weekly. Today, those illustrations remain highly prized by collectors, both for their aesthetic appeal and for the fact that they remain much more affordable than actual photographs from the period. As such, woodcut illustrations have always represented perhaps the finest value of all 19th-century baseball items. Offered here is an illustration from the October 30, 1865, issuedepicting a game between the Philadelphia Athletics and Brooklyn Atlantics in Philadelphia. Sketched by J.B. Beale. The illustration (14 x 5 inches; visible dimensions) presents in Excellent condition overall. Matted and framed to total dimensions of 21 x 11 inches. The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot.