By the early 1880's a former major leaguer named Esteban Ballan had established the game of baseball in Cuba. Professional leagues had started up and were picking up steam, with players of great skill emerging. One of these early teams was the Cardenas club, a top level organization which boasted some of the best players of the era. Led by a young Hall of Famer Esteban Prats (only 16 years old at the time) the team also boasted several of the best early professionals on the island. With anything related to the early days of Latin American baseball almost non-existent, this 1889 team photograph of the Cardenas in uniform is one of the most important relics of the international game of baseball that has ever been offered. A fantastic albumen image, this is a completely vintage cabinet photograph showing twelve men in uniform with each identified on the back as well. A cool piece of photographic history as well, this appears to be a studio shot but in reality is as much as action photo as anything. The catcher poses with full gear, the pitcher holds the ball and many of the players are in batting and fielding form as well. A fantastic image with which is early in form and style, the piece has had as artistic piece of paper added around the edge to frame it and a small hole at the top for display, but otherwise it is an exceptional specimen. One player (number 1 on the far left) is identified on the back but covered up by the paper while the other 11 are as follows in order: Eduardo Elgarrest, Francisco Pettit, Juan J. Male, Oscar Mihoura, Enrique Duran, Benj. Horscheck, Francisco Beath, Ramon Vidal, Leopoldo Posada, Esteban Prats. One of the most incredible pieces of early Cuban baseball history ever offered for sale! There is some artistic tracing from editorial use but otherwise it presents beautifully.

Size: 4.25x8
Designation: Vintage 1
Condition: 4.5/5
Quality: 4/5
Overall Grade: 8.5/10