This card is 2 1/2" x 4" sized baseball card. On the bottom it is stamped Copyright 1887 by CHAS GROSS & Co. underneath that it reads SMOKE KALAMAZOO BATS. This is a double player card and underneath the picture it reads: Capt. IRWIN and MAUL, Phila. The back of the card is an advertisement for PRIZES. The back reads as follows:
For the return of these pictures in GOOD ORDER, by mail, and having this NOTICE printed upon them, we will send you the following PRIZES:
FOR 15 PICTURE- A PLAIN MEERSCHAUM CIGAR TUBE, value Twenty-five Cents.
FOR 25 PICTURES- A Nickel-Plated COMBINATION MATCH SAFE. Value, Fifty Cents.
FOR 50 PICTURES- A Handsome Four Blade TORTOISE SHELL POCKET KNIFE. Value One Dollar
FOR 100 PICTURES- A Beautiful MEERSCHAUM CIGAR TUBE in case. Value Two Dollars.
FOR 200 PICTURES- A Magnificent PLUSH PALETTE CLOCK. Value Three Dollars.
FOR 400 PICTURES- A Very Fine SILK UMBRELLA, with Gold Mounted Handle. Value Five Dollars.
CHAS GROSS & CO..PHILADELPHIA
Re: 1887 Kalamazoo Bats N690 #26 Capt. IRWIN and MAUL Phila. ...
The players are Arthur Irwin and Al Maul. Maul being the man on his belly, getting tagged by Irwin as he slides into a base (I'm not sure which base). A very nice card! I can't find any recent values for it, but I saw a report of one selling at auction for $2200 in 2001 at this website: http://www.huntauctions.com/online/view_lots_items_list_closed.cfm?auction=8&start_number=1001&last_number=1100
Keep in mind that in addition to being a very dated price, that listing was for a card in excellent condition as well, so the value of your card may vary quite a bit, and you should probably have it looked at by a sports memorabilia expert to get a better idea...
Re: 1887 Kalamazoo Bats N690 #26 Capt. IRWIN and MAUL Phila....
Can you send clearer scans to www.baseballintheattic.com (fill out contact us form)
Thanks,
Michael