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Lot # 126: 1910 J.J. "Nig" Clarke, Prewar Catcher Stunning Panoramic Hand Study "Tools of the Trade"

Starting Bid: $25.00

Bids: 7 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Spring Collectors Auction 2018",
which ran from 3/31/2018 11:00 PM to
4/14/2018 8:00 PM



It is hard to know where to start with this photograph. The subject or the art? The player is J.J. "Nig" Clarke, a powerful catcher for the Cleveland Indians from 1905-1910. He had a very racially insensitive nickname that was given to men of darker skin complexion in a different era, but he has more to offer the fan of baseball history than that. Clarke holds the Professional Baseball record by hitting 8 Home Runs.... in one game! He accomplished the feat in 1902 for Corsicana of the Texas League, a record that will last forever! He is also pictured in the popular T206 Baseball Card set. But enough about the player. The offered image we have titled "Tools of the Trade" as it is a unique silver gelatin masterpiece from a local Cleveland photographer showing Clarke demonstrating his dirty, mangled hands to the photographer to illustrate the unfortunate side of Professional Baseball Catchers from over 100 years ago. The large mitts they used did not close, so the throwing hand would have to be used to trap the ball in the pocket of the glove. As such, many foul tips and bats would hit the exposed appendage leaving ANY Baseball Catcher of the era with broken bones and scarred fingers. One look at the throwing hand of Clarke (his right hand) can be seen that his pinky and ring finger appear to be badly broken. Panoramic in nature this is among the most intriguing images we have ever offered. Simply a masterpiece, this photo sold for $451 in our June 2014 auction!

Size: 6x9.5
Designation: Vintage 1
Condition: 3.5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall Grade: 8.5/10

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