1897 Milwaukee Brewers Team Cabinet Card with Connie Mack

Another 1897 Milwaukee Brewers cabinet photo has surfaced at auction, this time in Robert Edwards Auctions' Spring 2019 offerings.

1897 Milwaukee Brewers Team Cabinet Card with Connie Mack

Composite team cabinet card featuring portrait images of 15 members of the 1897 Milwaukee Brewers, including player/manager Connie Mack, who is pictured in the center. The players surrounding Mack, all of whom are identified in print their respective images, are Nicol, Weaver, Terry, Reidy, Blake, Speer, Meyers, Jones, Taylor, Stafford, Daly, Lewee, Barnes and Smith. The text reads "Milwaukee Base Ball Club/Season 1897." The photographer's credit, "H. Hercher - Milwaukee, Wis.," appears both on the composite photo and base of the mount. Mack, whose eleven-year Major League career ended in 1896, was lured to Milwaukee of the Western Association with the promise of a 25% ownership stake in the club and no interference from any of the club's directors. Mack remained manager of Milwaukee for four seasons, but when Western League president Ban Johnson changed the league's name to the American League in 1900, and then declared the league a "Major League" the following season, he installed Mack as the manager of newly established Philadelphia Athletics. With ownership stake in the Athletics, Mack remained the club's manager for a record 50 years. This is the first example of this 1897 Milwaukee team cabinet we have ever offered and we have seen only a few others at auction. The cabinet (4.25 x 6.5 inches) displays light edge wear and a few minor surface blemishes, none of which detract n the least from its overall Excellent appearance. Reserve $500. Estimate (open).

Even better than the one we saw a few years ago. I don't think they'll have any problem getting that reserve.