This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/13/2024
This 1888 team portrait of the St. Louis Browns captures the players seated in classic striped coats over their uniforms. Adding to its charm, a young boy, known as the “Browns Mascot,” sits among them, flanked by two dogs in the foreground. Each player is numbered to match an identification key on the mount beneath the photo. Though faded over time, some names and numbers remain faintly visible, offering a glimpse into the Browns' historic lineup during their championship years in the American Association. The Caption states: Champions of Am. Association four successive years, 1885, '86, '87, '88. World Champions, 1886, 1887. Players include Top Row, L-R: Arlie Latham (3B), mascot, Tip O'Neill (LF). Middle Row, L-R: Bill White (SS), Jim Devlin (P), Yank Robinson (2B), Tommy McCarthy (RF), Silver King (P), Joe Herr (SS). Second to Bottom Row, Seated on bench, L-R: Jack Boyle (C), Nat Hudson (P), Charles Comiskey (1B), Jocko Milligan (C), Tom Dolan (C). Bottom Row Seated on ground, L-R: Ice Box Chamberlain (P), Harry Lyons (CF). Photograph by Frederick William Guerin. The photo itself has serious wear with tape being adhered to hold it together, some tearing, chipping and fading of names and titles on the bottom graphic. The photo features Elton "Icebox" Chamberlain, and according to Baseball Reference, this was his first professional team. He was only 17. Also featured in this photo is Charles Comiskey known as "Commy" who entered the American Association in 1882 with the St. Louis Brown Stockings. He managed the team during parts of its first seasons and took over full-time in 1885, leading the Browns to four consecutive American Association championships and a close second in 1889. Comiskey would later play a pivotal role in the creation of the American League and became the founding owner of the Chicago White Sox. Comiskey Park, the historic stadium bearing his name, was built under his leadership. This 1888 Browns team, which posted a remarkable 92–43 season, claimed its fourth straight American Association pennant. They ultimately fell to the New York Giants in a 6-4 series. Though worn, this rare photo captures the Browns in their glory days—often remembered as “The Team That Baseball Forgot.” Dimensions of the photo are 15 1/2 inches x 20 1/2 inches. The piece as a whole is 19 in x 22 in