A scarce representative of the long defunct Cleveland Spiders surfaces, with this 1898 New York Giants program. The Giants hosted the Spiders from 5/30-6/1, and 8/19-8/22 during the 1898 NL season. As a member of initially the American Association, and later of the National League, the Spiders existed from 1887 through 1899, when the owners gutted the squad of all of its stars to fill out the roster of their newly acquired St. Louis franchise for the 1899 season. Complete and intact, this ancient program rates as (FR-GD). As fascinating as it is scarce, this Polo Grounds publication boasts many interesting features. Seen on the front cover is a Polo Grounds game in progress illustration, with the flags of both the United States, and Cuba above. The U.S. declared War on Spain on 4/21/98, and the fighting continued until 8/13/98, with the result of the U.S. taking control of several islands in the Caribbean Sea and the Pacific Ocean, including Cuba. An astonishing number of advertisements for alcoholic beverages appear throughout, with the most noteworthy being a full page ad on the back cover for Robertson's Scotch Whiskey, which features a baseball player, and the legend "For Sale On These Grounds". Listed on the unused scoring grid pages, are Giants stars George Van Haltren, "Kid" Gleason, Bill Joyce, and Amos Rusie, and on the Spiders side we see Jesse Burkett, "Cupid" Childs, and Jack Powell. Though not listed in print, the Spiders team also featured Cy Young, and Louis Sockalexis, who is believed to be the first Native American to play in the Majors.


Opening Bid $200.