The first attempt to take baseball global is recalled with this 1888-1889 Spalding World Tour illustration in framed display. This world tour was organized by baseball pioneer Albert Spalding. The London segment of this globetrotting event is depicted in a 22x15 two-page spread from The Illustrated London News, dated 3/23/1889. Images of Spalding’s Chicago White Stockings and a team of All-Americans are centered by a woodcut illustration of a game in progress, credited to T. Walter Wilson. The two most prominent players depicted are Hall of Famers Cap Anson and John Montgomery Ward, seen at top in boxes numbered 5 and 11, as Captains of Chicago and The Americans respectively. An inset at bottom pictures Anson shaking hands with the Prince of Wales. The newspaper spread presents handsomely with light wear, including unobtrusive staple holes along the vertical fold at center. The 30-1/2 x 23-1/2" cherry wood frame is serviceable, and this piece is ready for immediate display. Though his middle name was Goodwill, Spalding by his own admission, first and foremost saw this first ever baseball world tour as a way of increasing brand recognition for his sporting goods line, though international awareness of the game was actually somewhat improved.



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Opening Bid $150.