SPECIAL COLLECTION GLASS LANTERN SLIDES L ate last year a very special collection of photographic images unexpectedly entered our offices. While magic lantern slides have remained somewhat of an oddity, often underappreciated in the sports collecting world, the grouping of 57 unique slides we inspected that day was highly impressive. Before us sat an array of original lantern slides, mostly featuring the 1914 Cleveland Naps, the majority of which had clearly been produced from original negatives shot by a professional photographer. We now understand that photographer to be Cleveland-based lensman Frank W. Smith who shot for the Cleveland Plain Dealer during the 1910’s. According to Plain Dealer archives, Smith regularly traveled with the Naps to spring camp to capture images prior to the season, having done so on at least five occasions. As the majority of these images depict scenes in and around Athens, GA, where the Naps trained in the spring of 1914, it is our conjecture that Frank W. Smith perhaps created the slides for personal use as a remembrance of his travels. We may never understand their true intent but the quality of Smith’s work prompted us to produce one-of-a-kind, 8x10 prints that will accompany every slide in this auction. Winning bidders may then enjoy these fantastic images anytime, in a larger format afforded by the slides themselves. We’re incredibly excited to offer this collection which includes a never-before- seen, hand-colored, action image of Shoeless Joe Jackson sliding into home plate at League Park. Other highlights include an astonishingly detailed portrait image of Joe Jackson, several examples featuring Nap Lajoie, a young Ray Chapman, Ty Cobb, and many others. We’ve broken this special collection into 13 individual listings –– one of which even includes a pair of later 1930 slides starring Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig. Consider those the cherry on top. Best of luck from all of us at LOTG!
228. 1914 Napoleon Lajoie Throwing Glass Magic Lantern Slide (HOF - Frank W. Smith Estate) MINIMUM BID: $250
229. 1914 Napoleon Lajoie Portrait Glass Magic Lantern Slide (HOF - Frank W. Smith Estate) MINIMUM BID: $250
230. 1914 Napoleon Lajoie Batting Glass Magic Lantern Slide (HOF - Frank W. Smith Estate) MINIMUM BID: $250
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