1908 Old Timers' Game Scorecard Commemorating the 1878 World Champion Boston Red Stockings Featuring George Wright, A. G. Spalding, and James O'Rourke

Sold For:

$660

Year:

1908

Auction:

2021 Fall

Lot #:

1859

Category:

Post-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Fold-over scorecard issued for an Old Timers' game between the former 1878 World Champion Boston Red Stockings and a group of college stars played on September 24, 1908. The front cover is designed with a composite image of the 1878 Boston club during its playing days. The text printed above and below the image reads "Score Card/The Men Who Made the Game/Champions Thirty Years Ago/September 24, 1908." The preprinted lineups on the interior scorecard pages include future Hall of Famers James O'Rourke, Tommy McCarthy, George Wright, and A. G. Spalding, as well as Timothy Murnane, John Morrill, Tommy Bond, and Billy Nash. The "Committee that Arranged the Game" printed on the reverse includes the name of Fred Thayer (inventor of the catcher's mask while at Harvard). The program is partially scored in pencil. Research indicates that this game took place in front of a crowd of 5,000 fans, and the former Major Leaguers won 7-2. The program (5-7/8 x 8-5/8 inches) displays numerous condition flaws, including several tears, a heavy vertical fold down the center, and moderate staining front and back. In Poor condition. Reserve $300.