Heritage Auctions’ highly anticipated Platinum Night event is gearing up to present an exceptional piece of baseball history: a poster from the iconic 1888-89 Spalding Australian Baseball Tour. This remarkable artifact, one of only two known surviving posters, adds a significant chapter to the annals of America’s favorite pastime. Led by baseball legend and sporting goods tycoon Albert G. Spalding, the barnstorming tour featured games between the Chicago White Stockings and Spalding’s All America team after the 1888 season.
With nearly 2,800 items up for auction on February 24-25, the Platinum Night sale aims to highlight this poster as a standout lot. Ranging from the era of Old Judge cards to the modern exploits of players like Aaron Judge, the auction boasts an impressive collection. The fact that the other copy of this poster resides in the Baseball Hall of Fame further emphasizes its rarity and historical significance.
Measuring a substantial 42 inches by 28 inches, the poster has been hailed by Heritage Auctions as “the most astonishing eight square feet of paper” ever presented in their auctions. Its design is reminiscent of the iconic Old Judge and N284 Buchner Gold Coin cards, featuring images of players who participated in the tour. Notably, the poster showcases future Hall of Famers Cap Anson, John Montgomery Ward, and Ned Hanlon.
Spalding’s vision for the tour was a daring one, aimed at promoting baseball on a global scale. The teams embarked on an ambitious journey that took them through various locations, including the Sandwich Islands (modern-day Hawaii), New Zealand, Ceylon (now Sri Lanka), Egypt, Italy, France, and England. The tour culminated with games in Australian cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Ballarat. Spalding personally invested $30,000 in the venture and garnered an endorsement from President Grover Cleveland, showcasing the magnitude of his ambitious undertaking.
This promotional endeavor not only highlighted the universal appeal of baseball but also solidified its status as America’s game. The tour garnered significant attention and concluded with a grand banquet at the renowned Delmonico’s restaurant in New York City upon the teams’ return.
Beyond its historical value, the poster provides a glimpse into the early stages of baseball’s professionalization and its efforts to captivate a global audience. With a pre-sale estimate of $100,000, this rare artifact presents an extraordinary opportunity for collectors to own a remarkable piece of the sport’s storied past.
As the Platinum Night sale approaches, baseball enthusiasts and collectors alike eagerly anticipate the chance to bid on this unique and cherished piece of baseball history. Heritage Auctions continues to offer unparalleled opportunities to own significant artifacts and continues to play a vital role in preserving the legacies of America’s favorite pastime.
