Consider yourself a true baseball historian if the Columbus Solons are part of your knowledge base. This 19th Century team competed for three seasons from 1889-1891, in the American Association, a Major League organization that operated from 1882-1891. From this long-defunct league comes this 1889 Columbus Solons schedule banner in framed display. Sized at 15-1/2 x 23-1/2”, this ancient relic is framed to overall dimensions of 18x26.



Manager Al Buckenberger is pictured at top-center in a round portrait, and 16 of his 1889 Solons players are seen in diamond-shaped insets. Also pictured at top left and right respectively, are club executives C. Born Jr. – President, and Ralph Lazarus – Vice President. The top talent pictured, is prolific slugger Captain Dave Orr, who owns a .342 lifetime batting average. Some of the other more prominent players pictured are Hank Gastright (listed as Henry Gastreich), Al Mays, Jack O’Connor, and Ralph “Spud” Johnson, another lifetime .300 hitter. At center of this extraordinary piece, is a fascinating scene of a game in progress, with bare-handed fielders, and just a single umpire. Sandwiched between two advertising sponsors at bottom, is the Solons home game schedule, with an 1889 American Association logo directly above. The sponsors are Born & Co. Brewers at bottom-left, and Lazarus Clothing at bottom-right. A great curiosity, is the Born Brewers “Telephone No. 92”. This two-digit phone is a very early example from the formative period of telephone use. The final detail is the name of the banner’s maker “Gies & Co. Buffalo, N.Y.”, printed on the bottom border at right.



Typical to the late Victorian Age, this banner is a high quality production with a stimulating composition. The original metal end strips remain securely in place, across the top and bottom, and there is a metal hanging eyelet at top-center. A few small edge tears are confined to the left and right borders, which also bear light traces of staining/soiling. These conditions are very minor and do not affect the graphics. Otherwise this amazing banner remains very attractive, with strong graphics, and a fairly clean surface. Issued during the first season of Columbus Solons play, this exceedingly rare piece is one of only several known examples.



The size/weight of this item requires that there will be an additional shipping charge for this lot.



Frames included with lots: while we make every effort to protect the frames included in these lots during pre-auction storage and post-auction shipping, we are not responsible for any damage to the frames themselves, and no refunds will be given due to frame damage. Opening Bid $1,000.