Circa 1888 A. F. Pepper Studio Cabinet - Tom Gunning

Sold For:

$420

Year:

1888

Auction:

2014 Fall

Lot #:

44

Category:

Pre-1900 Baseball Cards (1830-1899)

Exceptional studio cabinet of catcher Tom Gunning produced by A. F. Pepper Studios of Boston. Gunning had a short Major League career, spending time with the Boston Beaneaters, Philadelphia Quakers, and Philadelphia Athletics between 1884 and 1889. This cabinet, which is graded FAIR 20 by SGC and dated circa 1888, may actually date to the earlier part of Gunning's career as he attended college at two Massachusetts schools (Boston College and Holy Cross) prior to playing three years as a professional for the Boston club. The studio, located at 1051 Tremont Street in Boston, may have produced this stunning cabinet of Gunning during this period. Showing Gunning in formal attire in a side-view pose, the image is crystal clear and entirely clean. The brown studio mount bears the studio name and address in gold in the bottom margin. Gunning is not formally identified anywhere on the cabinet, but his name is written in pencil on the blank reverse (which is solely responsible for the FAIR 20 assessment). Presenting as Excellent overall, the cabinet displays light touches of wear to the corners (most noticeable in the upper left) and virtually flawless edges. This is a superb nineteenth-century studio cabinet depicting Tom Gunning. SOLD FOR $420