Heritage Auctions is gearing up for their highly-anticipated Platinum Night event, and one standout item has caught the attention of sports fans and collectors alike. A poster from the legendary 1888-89 Spalding Australian Baseball Tour, one of only two known surviving posters, will be up for auction. This remarkable piece of baseball history showcases a barnstorming tour led by the iconic Albert G. Spalding, the baseball legend and sporting goods tycoon.
Scheduled for February 24-25, the Platinum Night sale features nearly 2,800 remarkable items ranging from the era of Old Judge cards to the modern exploits of today’s stars like Aaron Judge. Among the impressive lots, this rare poster takes center stage due to its historical significance and rarity. The other known copy of the poster is currently residing in the Baseball Hall of Fame, underlining its importance.
Measuring an impressive 42 inches by 28 inches, this poster has been described as “the most astonishing eight square feet of paper” ever presented in Heritage Auctions’ sales. Its design is reminiscent of the iconic Old Judge and N284 Buchner Gold Coin cards, showcasing images of players who participated in the tour. Notably, future Hall of Famers Cap Anson, John Montgomery Ward, and Ned Hanlon are all featured.
The Spalding Australian Baseball Tour was a groundbreaking venture conceived by Albert G. Spalding with the intention of promoting the sport of baseball globally. The tour took the teams through various countries and cities, including the Sandwich Islands (now known as Hawaii), New Zealand, Ceylon, Egypt, Italy, France, and England. The journey concluded with games in major Australian cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Ballarat.
The tour itself was an ambitious and logistically challenging endeavor, with Spalding investing $30,000 of his own money. His efforts were rewarded with the support of President Grover Cleveland, who endorsed the tour. The aim was not only to showcase baseball’s appeal but also to establish it as America’s game on the global stage. The tour garnered significant attention and generated excitement across continents, culminating in a grand banquet at Delmonico’s restaurant in New York City upon the teams’ return.
Beyond its historical value, the poster provides a fascinating glimpse into the early professionalization of baseball and the sport’s efforts to reach a worldwide audience. With a pre-sale estimate of $100,000, this rare artifact presents a unique opportunity for passionate collectors and baseball enthusiasts alike to own a tangible piece of the sport’s storied past.
As Heritage Auctions prepares for their Platinum Night sale, this rare 1888-89 Spalding Australian Baseball Tour poster stands out as a highlight among the incredible array of items up for auction. Don’t miss the chance to bid on this remarkable piece of baseball history and potentially add it to your collection.
