
Heritage Auctions is gearing up for their highly anticipated Platinum Night event, where a rare and extraordinary piece of baseball history will take center stage. Among the nearly 2,800 items up for auction is a poster from the 1888-89 Spalding Australian Baseball Tour, one of only two known surviving posters. This iconic artifact marks a significant chapter in the sport’s history and showcases a barnstorming tour led by baseball legend and sporting goods tycoon Albert G. Spalding.
The auction, scheduled for February 24-25, promises to be a thrilling event with a wide range of items, from vintage Old Judge cards to artifacts from today’s players like Aaron Judge. However, the highlight of the auction is undoubtedly the 1888-89 baseball tour poster, residing in a league of its own. The fact that the other known copy of this poster is housed in the Baseball Hall of Fame only underscores its rarity and historical significance.
Measuring an impressive 42 inches by 28 inches, the poster is described by Heritage Auctions as “the most astonishing eight square feet of paper” to ever grace their auctions. Reminiscent of the iconic Old Judge and N284 Buchner Gold Coin cards, the poster features captivating images of the players who participated in the tour. Among them are future Hall of Famers such as Cap Anson, John Montgomery Ward, and Ned Hanlon.
The ambitious tour, conceived by Albert G. Spalding, aimed to promote baseball globally and take the sport beyond American shores. The teams embarked on an incredible journey, playing games in exotic locations such as the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii), New Zealand, Ceylon, Egypt, Italy, France, and England. The tour wrapped up with games in major Australian cities like Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Ballarat. Spalding invested $30,000 of his own money into the venture and secured an endorsement from President Grover Cleveland, highlighting the significance of the tour.
Not only did the tour showcase baseball’s appeal and skill to international audiences, but it also solidified the sport as America’s game. The success of the tour garnered significant attention and upon the teams’ return, a celebratory banquet was held at the prestigious Delmonico’s restaurant in New York City.
Beyond its historical value, the 1888-89 baseball tour poster provides a captivating window into the early professionalization of the sport and its quest for a global audience. With a pre-sale estimate of $100,000, this unique artifact offers collectors a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to own a priceless piece of baseball’s storied past.
If you’re a passionate collector or a baseball enthusiast, don’t miss the chance to be a part of Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night Sale. Join the excitement and bid on the rare 1888-89 Spalding Australian Baseball Tour poster. It’s an opportunity to own a remarkable piece of baseball history and contribute to the preservation of this beloved sport’s heritage.