Heritage Auctions’ highly anticipated Platinum Night event is set to showcase an extraordinary piece of baseball history – a poster from the 1888-89 Spalding Australian Baseball Tour. This rare artifact, one of only two known surviving posters, holds immense historical significance, representing a pivotal chapter in the sport’s development. The tour, orchestrated by baseball icon Albert G. Spalding, brought together the Chicago White Stockings and an All America team for a series of games following the 1888 season.
Scheduled for February 24-25, the Platinum Night auction will feature this iconic poster as one of its key lots, among nearly 2,800 items that span from the era of Old Judge cards to the modern achievements of players like Aaron Judge. The fact that the other known copy of this poster resides in the Baseball Hall of Fame only emphasizes its rarity.
Measuring an impressive 42 inches by 28 inches, the poster is hailed by Heritage Auctions as “the most astonishing eight square feet of paper” ever presented in their auctions. It showcases images reminiscent of those found on Old Judge and N284 Buchner Gold Coin cards, displaying the players who participated in the tour, including legendary figures such as Cap Anson, John Montgomery Ward, and Ned Hanlon.
Spalding’s vision for the tour was to promote baseball globally, making it a truly remarkable endeavor for its time. The teams embarked on a journey that took them through the Sandwich Islands (known as Hawaii today), New Zealand, Ceylon, Egypt, Italy, France, and England, with final games played in Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Ballarat. The logistics of this undertaking were immense, and Spalding himself invested $30,000 of his own money, even securing an endorsement from President Grover Cleveland.
The promotional effort not only showcased the immense popularity of baseball but also underscored its status as “America’s game.” The tour garnered significant attention, culminating in a grand banquet at Delmonico’s restaurant in New York City upon the teams’ return.
This historic poster provides a fascinating glimpse into the early professionalization of baseball and its attempts to reach a global audience. With a pre-sale estimate of $100,000, it offers collectors a truly unique opportunity to own a treasure from the sport’s storied past.
In conclusion, Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night sale will highlight the rare 1888-89 baseball tour poster, an extraordinary artifact that represents a significant moment in the sport’s history. With its limited quantity, immense historical value, and connection to legendary players, this poster is a highly sought-after item for collectors and baseball enthusiasts alike.
