Heritage Auctions is gearing up for their highly anticipated Platinum Night event, and among the impressive lineup of items is a remarkable piece of baseball history: a poster from the 1888-89 Spalding Australian Baseball Tour. This extraordinary artifact, one of only two known surviving posters, holds immense value and significance, shedding light on a pivotal chapter in the sport’s history. The tour, organized by baseball legend and sporting goods tycoon Albert G. Spalding, featured the Chicago White Stockings and an All America team, and took place after the conclusion of the 1888 season.

With nearly 2,800 items on the auction block, ranging from vintage Old Judge cards to modern memorabilia, the spotlight is firmly fixed on this rare poster. It stands out as a key lot in the auction, and its rarity is further underscored by the fact that the other known copy of the poster resides in the prestigious Baseball Hall of Fame.

Measuring an impressive 42 inches by 28 inches, Heritage Auctions describes this poster as “the most astonishing eight square feet of paper” ever presented in their auctions. Evoking the imagery found on Old Judge and N284 Buchner Gold Coin cards, it showcases the players who took part in the historic tour. Among those depicted are future Hall of Famers Cap Anson, John Montgomery Ward, and Ned Hanlon, ensuring its importance and desirability among baseball enthusiasts and collectors.

The Spalding Australian Baseball Tour was a groundbreaking endeavor conceived by Albert G. Spalding in his quest to promote baseball on a global scale. The tour charted a course through various countries, including the Sandwich Islands (now Hawaii), New Zealand, Ceylon, Egypt, Italy, France, and England, before concluding with games in Australian cities such as Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, and Ballarat. This ambitious undertaking, requiring meticulous planning and a significant financial investment, saw Spalding put up $30,000 of his own money and secure an endorsement from President Grover Cleveland.

While promoting the popularity of baseball worldwide, the tour also served as a testament to the sport’s status as America’s game. It garnered immense attention and fanfare, eventually culminating in a grand banquet held at Delmonico’s restaurant in New York City to celebrate the teams’ return. This poster offers more than just a glimpse into the past; it captures the early professionalization of baseball and the sport’s significant efforts to expand its reach globally.

Beyond its historical significance, the poster holds immense value for collectors who seek to own a piece of baseball’s storied past. With a pre-sale estimate of $100,000, it presents a unique opportunity to acquire a cherished memento from this remarkable barnstorming tour.

As Heritage Auctions prepares for the upcoming Platinum Night Sale on February 24-25, the rare 1888-89 Spalding Australian Baseball Tour poster undoubtedly stands out as a highlight among the impressive array of items being offered. This auction presents a chance to own a tangible piece of baseball history, an artifact symbolizing the sport’s journey in becoming the beloved game it is today.

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