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Extraordinary 1911 Addie Joss Day Panorama with Ty Cobb, Joe Jackson, Cy Young, and Many Other Hall of Famers
Sold For:
$33,000
Year: 1911
Auction: 2016 Fall
Lot #: 10
Auction: Featured
Rare and historically significant panoramic photograph capturing the Cleveland Naps pictured alongside their All-Star rivals at the Addie Joss Benefit Game in 1911, including Joe Jackson, Cy Young, Sam Crawford, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Nap Lajoie, Tris Speaker, Frank Baker, Eddie Collins, Bobby Wallace, Joe Wood, and Hal Chase.
The Joss Benefit Game, held on July 24, 1911, in Cleveland, was one of the most famous events of the dead-ball era. The game was held to raise money for the Addie Joss family, and to pay tribute to the great Cleveland pitcher, who unexpectedly died in his prime on April 14th of that year, as a result of severe complications related to meningitis. All regular-season games were canceled to accommodate the scheduling of this historic benefit game, which would match the Cleveland Naps against a team comprised of the greatest All-Stars of the American League, including such luminaries as Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Sam Crawford, Frank Baker, and Tris Speaker. Interestingly, Cobb forgot his Detroit uniform for the game, which is the reason he is pictured here wearing a Cleveland uniform. The All-Stars were triumphant on that day, defeating Cleveland 5-3.
The Addie Joss Day panorama is considered by most advanced collectors as one of the finest of its kind, both for the historical significance of the event, and for the status of the players pictured here. The tradition of an annual All-Star Game did not begin until 1933; therefore, dead-ball era photos picturing this many future Hall of Famers and star players posing together are virtually nonexistent. It is also extremely rare, with fewer than ten examples known. The reason for its great rarity is related to its method of distribution. It is believed that these panoramic photos were only issued to participating team members, and probably a few important team or league officials. That assumption is based upon the fact that most of the few examples that have surfaced originate from the estates of participating players, including those of Frank Baker, Joe Wood, Neal Ball, Bobby Wallace, and Addie Joss. In addition to its rarity, the offered panorama, which displays exceptional clarity, is also one of the finest examples we have ever handled. Aside from an approximate 1.5 x .25-inch area of surface-paper flaking in the upper left corner and a few small, linear areas of light discoloration running down the right border, the photo is in apparent Near Mint condition. The visible portion of the photo measures 39 x 6.5 inches. Matted and framed to total dimensions of 46.25 x 13.75 inches. Reserve $10,000. Estimate (open).
The Joss Benefit Game, held on July 24, 1911, in Cleveland, was one of the most famous events of the dead-ball era. The game was held to raise money for the Addie Joss family, and to pay tribute to the great Cleveland pitcher, who unexpectedly died in his prime on April 14th of that year, as a result of severe complications related to meningitis. All regular-season games were canceled to accommodate the scheduling of this historic benefit game, which would match the Cleveland Naps against a team comprised of the greatest All-Stars of the American League, including such luminaries as Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Sam Crawford, Frank Baker, and Tris Speaker. Interestingly, Cobb forgot his Detroit uniform for the game, which is the reason he is pictured here wearing a Cleveland uniform. The All-Stars were triumphant on that day, defeating Cleveland 5-3.
The Addie Joss Day panorama is considered by most advanced collectors as one of the finest of its kind, both for the historical significance of the event, and for the status of the players pictured here. The tradition of an annual All-Star Game did not begin until 1933; therefore, dead-ball era photos picturing this many future Hall of Famers and star players posing together are virtually nonexistent. It is also extremely rare, with fewer than ten examples known. The reason for its great rarity is related to its method of distribution. It is believed that these panoramic photos were only issued to participating team members, and probably a few important team or league officials. That assumption is based upon the fact that most of the few examples that have surfaced originate from the estates of participating players, including those of Frank Baker, Joe Wood, Neal Ball, Bobby Wallace, and Addie Joss. In addition to its rarity, the offered panorama, which displays exceptional clarity, is also one of the finest examples we have ever handled. Aside from an approximate 1.5 x .25-inch area of surface-paper flaking in the upper left corner and a few small, linear areas of light discoloration running down the right border, the photo is in apparent Near Mint condition. The visible portion of the photo measures 39 x 6.5 inches. Matted and framed to total dimensions of 46.25 x 13.75 inches. Reserve $10,000. Estimate (open).