In a highly anticipated event, Heritage Auctions is preparing to showcase an extraordinary piece of baseball history in their upcoming Platinum Night sale. The star of the show? A rare poster from the 1888-89 Spalding Australian Baseball Tour, a remarkable artifact that marks a significant chapter in the sport’s history.
This particular poster holds immense value as it is one of only two known surviving copies in existence. The other can be found proudly displayed in the Baseball Hall of Fame, underscoring its rarity and historical significance. Measuring an impressive 42 inches by 28 inches, Heritage Auctions hails it as “the most astonishing eight square feet of paper” ever offered in one of their auctions.
What sets this poster apart are the stunning images that adorn it, reminiscent of the iconic Old Judge and N284 Buchner Gold Coin cards. The players depicted on the poster participated in the Spalding Australian Baseball Tour, a barnstorming extravaganza led by the legendary Albert G. Spalding himself. Some of the players featured include future Hall of Famers Cap Anson, John Montgomery Ward, and Ned Hanlon.
The tour itself was an ambitious endeavor, conceived by Spalding as a means to promote baseball on a global scale. The teams traveled to various locations across the world, including the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii), New Zealand, Ceylon, Egypt, Italy, France, and England. The tour culminated in games played in major Australian cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Ballarat. This grand undertaking required extensive planning and a significant investment from Spalding, who put in $30,000 of his own money. The tour even received an endorsement from President Grover Cleveland, further solidifying its importance.
Beyond its historical value, the poster offers a fascinating glimpse into the early professionalization of baseball and the sport’s efforts to capture a global audience. It serves as a testament to baseball’s status as America’s game and showcases the growing significance of the sport both domestically and internationally. The tour garnered immense attention and excitement, culminating in a celebratory banquet at the renowned Delmonico’s restaurant in New York City upon the teams’ return.
With a pre-sale estimate of $100,000, this rare poster represents a truly unique opportunity for collectors and enthusiasts alike. It provides a chance to own a tangible piece of baseball’s storied past and offers a doorway to the extraordinary journey undertaken by Albert G. Spalding and his pioneering teammates. The auction, scheduled for February 24-25, promises to highlight this key lot among nearly 2,800 other items, spanning from the era of Old Judge cards to modern-day superstars like Aaron Judge.
Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night sale is not to be missed for any avid baseball fan or collector. It is an event that encapsulates the rich history and enduring appeal of the sport, and the rare 1888-89 Spalding Australian Baseball Tour poster stands as a shining gem among the treasures being presented.
