Heritage Auctions has something truly special in store for baseball enthusiasts and collectors alike. Their upcoming Platinum Night event will showcase a remarkable piece of baseball history – a poster from the 1888-89 Spalding Australian Baseball Tour. This rare artifact, one of only two known surviving posters, is a testament to an important chapter in the sport’s history, featuring a barnstorming tour led by the legendary Albert G. Spalding.
Scheduled for February 24-25, the Platinum Night auction offers nearly 2,800 items for bidding, ranging from vintage Old Judge cards to contemporary treasures like those of Aaron Judge. Among these items, the 1888-89 tour poster stands out as a key lot, highlighting its rarity and historical significance. The other known copy of this poster currently resides in the Baseball Hall of Fame, further attesting to its value.
Measuring an impressive 42 inches by 28 inches, the Heritage Auctions describes this poster as “the most astonishing eight square feet of paper” ever presented in their auctions. True to its era, the poster showcases images reminiscent of the popular Old Judge and N284 Buchner Gold Coin baseball cards. It features the players who participated in the tour, including notable figures such as Cap Anson, John Montgomery Ward, and Ned Hanlon – all future Hall of Famers.
The Spalding Australian Baseball Tour of 1888-89 was a groundbreaking venture aimed at promoting baseball on a global scale. The teams traveled across various countries, visiting exotic locations like the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii), New Zealand, Ceylon, Egypt, Italy, France, and England, before concluding with games in Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Ballarat. This endeavor was not only a logistical feat but also a major milestone in the professionalization of baseball. Spalding himself invested a substantial amount of $30,000 and even secured an endorsement from President Grover Cleveland, solidifying the tour’s significance.
The poster not only holds historical value but also provides valuable insights into the early efforts of baseball to expand its audience worldwide. With a pre-sale estimate of $100,000, it presents a unique opportunity for collectors to own an iconic piece of the sport’s storied past. This poster symbolizes the growth and enduring appeal of baseball, demonstrating why it has long been considered as America’s game.
Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night event is garnering significant attention within the collecting community, as enthusiasts eagerly await the chance to bid on this exceptional item. The 1888-89 baseball tour poster encapsulates the spirit of exploration, marketing, and adventure that defined the early days of baseball. Its presentation at the auction serves as a reminder of the sport’s rich history and the passion it continues to inspire today.
In conclusion, the Heritage Auctions Platinum Night sale is set to captivate the hearts of baseball enthusiasts with its rare 1888-89 baseball tour poster. This extraordinary artifact, one of only two known surviving posters, illuminates a pivotal moment in the game’s history. With its historical significance and rarity, this poster promises to be a highly sought-after item in the world of sports memorabilia. Don’t miss your chance to own a piece of baseball history – mark your calendars for the Platinum Night auction!
