Extremely Rare Circa 1910 Thaddeus Wilkerson Real-Photo Postcard of the Polo Grounds

Sold For:

$5,400

Year:

1910

Auction:

2017 Fall

Lot #:

532

Category:

Prewar Baseball - 1910s and 1920s Cards

Real-photo postcard of the Polo Grounds, picturing a game in progress, by noted New York photographer Thaddeus Wilkerson. Wilkerson produced approximately 450 different real-photo postcards picturing scenes of New York City between the years 1909 and 1920, all of which are scarce and highly sought after today. His two postcards picturing, respectively, the Polo Grounds and Hilltop Park, are especially desirable as they were the only two that were baseball related. The offered postcard, which offers spectacular clarity, captures the exterior of the stadium from an elevated view, but a portion of the field is still visible, as is one of the outfielders, all of the fans in the outfield grandstands, and nearly all of the signs displayed along the outfield walls. The white-letter caption "Polo Grounds, New York" appears in the lower left corner, and Wilkerson's initials, "TW" appear in the lower right corner. Wilkerson's credit also appears in print on the reverse. The postcard (5.5 x 3.5 inches), which has not been addressed or mailed, displays a tiny crease in the upper right corner, and a small pencil notation along the base of the reverse. In Excellent condition overall. Reserve $300. Estimate (open).