1888 Chicago White Stockings Team Composite Cabinet Photograph.. ...

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Before they were the Chicago Cubs...

1888 Chicago White Stockings Team Composite Cabinet Photograph.
Exquisite late 19th century relic celebrates one of the powerhouse teams of the era, emerging from a span of a dozen seasons that saw the franchise that would become the Chicago Cubs claim five National League pennants and four second-place finishes. Their 77-58 record in 1888 was bested only by the mighty New York Giants, and the extraordinary cast of early superstars appearing in this marvelous relic provides insight into the protracted era of dominance.

That's the legendary Cap Anson at the top of the heat, both literally and figuratively, dressed in his Sunday best along with thirteen White Stockings teammates including reigning single-season Home Run King Ned Williamson, 1888 National League slugging leader Jimmy Ryan, star outfielder Jimmy Ryan and twenty-five game-winner Gus Krock.

The photographic composite is constructed in an oval format and housed in its original matting and framing, with only the frame itself exhibiting any condition distractions. Image area measures approximately 9x7", with final framed dimensions of just over 17x15". The composite is stunningly well-preserved, with perhaps the slightest hint of age-toning to document thirteen decades of existence. It's a museum-quality piece for the advanced baseball photography collector.