1914 St. Louis Terriers (Federal League) Team Photo

Sold For:

$823

Year:

1914

Auction:

2010 Spring

Lot #:

1242

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Rare original silver print photograph of the 1914 St. Louis Terriers of the short-lived Federal League. Twenty-one team members are pictured here in this classic team pose, including Hall of Fame pitcher/manager Mordecai Brown (seated; far left). Both the photographer's name ("G. E. Palfrey") and copyright date ("1914") appear in the upper left corner. Despite Brown's managerial guidance, not to mention his contribution of twelve wins on the mound, the Terriers finished dead last during the team's inaugural 1914 season. The team was so bad that even Brown's stature couldn't prevent him from being relieved of his managerial duties and traded to the Brooklyn Feds in mid season. The Federal League was formed in 1914 as a Major League rival to the American and National Leagues. Despite its success in signing many of the game's top stars, the League only lasted two seasons, thus making this photo a particularly significant historical piece and an extremely important relic of professional baseball in St. Louis. Any and all materials relating to the short-lived Federal League are exceedingly rare, especially photographic team images of this kind. The photo (9 x 7 inches), which is printed on extremely high quality sturdy stock, presents with outstanding clarity, has a slight vertical crease in the lower right, and a few extremely minor surface wrinkles. In Very Good to Excellent condition, with the noted flaws so unobtrusive that it displays as Excellent. This is an extraordinary and rare photographic team image dating from the Federal League's inaugural season. Reserve $200. Estimate $400+. SOLD FOR $823