Heritage Auctions is gearing up for its highly anticipated Platinum Night event, and among the extensive lineup of items, there is one exceptional piece of baseball history that is attracting attention. A rare poster from the 1888-89 Spalding Australian Baseball Tour, one of only two known surviving copies, will be up for grabs. This poster represents a significant chapter in the sport’s history, as it commemorates a barnstorming tour led by baseball legend Albert G. Spalding after the 1888 season.
With nearly 2,800 items in the auction, ranging from vintage Old Judge cards to the modern exploits of players like Aaron Judge, this rare poster stands out as a key highlight. Its rarity and historical significance are further emphasized by the fact that the other copy of this poster resides in the esteemed Baseball Hall of Fame.
Measuring an impressive 42 inches by 28 inches, the poster has been described by Heritage Auctions as “the most astonishing eight square feet of paper” ever offered in their auctions. Its design features images reminiscent of the popular Old Judge and N284 Buchner Gold Coin cards, showcasing the players who took part in the tour. Among the notable figures depicted are future Hall of Famers Cap Anson, John Montgomery Ward, and Ned Hanlon.
The Spalding Australian Baseball Tour was a groundbreaking venture initiated by Albert G. Spalding with the aim of promoting baseball on a global scale. The tour took the Chicago White Stockings and an All America team, handpicked by Spalding himself, to various countries and destinations. These included the Sandwich Islands (modern-day Hawaii), New Zealand, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Egypt, Italy, France, and England. The tour concluded with games in Australian cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Ballarat. The magnitude of this undertaking was immense, with Spalding investing a significant sum of $30,000 of his own money and securing an endorsement from President Grover Cleveland.
Beyond its promotional value for baseball, the tour showcased the sport as America’s game, earning widespread attention and culminating in a grand banquet at Delmonico’s restaurant in New York City upon the teams’ return.
The significance of the poster extends beyond its historical value, offering a fascinating glimpse into the early professionalization of baseball as well as its efforts to captivate a global audience. With a anticipated price estimate of $100,000, this auction presents a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire a piece of the sport’s storied past and own a tangible connection to its rich heritage.
Heritage Auctions’ Platinum Night sale is scheduled for February 24th and 25th, and baseball enthusiasts and collectors alike will undoubtedly be eagerly awaiting the opportunity to bid on this exceptional artifact. As the gavel falls, ownership of this rare 1888-89 Spalding Australian Baseball Tour poster will inevitably find a new home, ensuring that the legacy of this groundbreaking tour lives on for generations to come.
