Friday, August 8, 2025
Thursday, August 7, 2025
1910s Miss Alta Weiss of Weiss All-Stars (OH)
"Miss Alta Weiss Of The Weiss All-Stars Of Cleveland, Ohio" with image of her in uniform holding ball and glove with small inset closeup photo of her wearing baseball cap.
c.1930 All Star Ranger Girls Base-Ball Club
postcard depicting 11 team members posed inside a studio w/a young mascot seated at center in front. Team identification inside both left and right margins reads "All Star Ranger Girls Base-Ball Club".
1890s Shirley President Suspender Girls advertisement
Dating from the height of the "Bloomer Girl" craze in the 1890s, this colorful advertising display pictures a lovely young woman ballplayer in promotion of President Suspenders. The woman is pictured standing at the plate in full uniform; a pair of President Suspenders prominently displayed on her back. The caption above reads "Shirley President Suspenders 50 Cents" while the merits of the product are described below: "Easy On The Shoulders - The Back Slides." In the 1890s, scores of "Bloomer Girls" baseball teams were formed all over the country. Many of these teams eventually abandoned bloomers in favor of more standard baseball uniforms, as illustrated in this rare advertising display. This rare advertising piece is actually one of a series of six magnificent displays produced by Shirley President Suspenders. The reverse reads in part: "The Shirley President Suspender Girls will attract much attention if displayed in your window" and provides a checklist of the six pictures in the set (Golfing Girl, Ball Playing Girl, Tennis Girl, Bowling Girl, Fishing Girl, and Billiard Girl). "If you haven't all six of the pictures, write for those which are missing and we will promptly mail them to you. If you want men to stop at your window in greater numbers than ever before, display all six pictures in your window. Don't give these pictures away - sell them at 25 cents each and keep the money. You will find one picture in every half dozen box of Shirley President Suspenders. This is one of them." This is the first example we have ever seen. The exceptionally bright and colorful graphics, combined with its unique subject matter, combine to make this one of the most striking and interesting baseball-related advertising pieces from the era. Printed on cardboard stock by the American Lithographic Company of New York. A tiny edge tear is evident along the left border and there is an extremely light surface wrinkle in the lower left. These extremely minor condition flaws do not in the least detract from the display's overall Excellent to Mint appearance. The piece measures 8.5 x 13.5 inches
1890s Lizzie Arlington photo
the only photograph picturing Lizzie Arlington in uniform. Arlington, of course, holds the distinction of being the first woman to appear in a professional minor-league game, with her debut occurring on July 5, 1898, as a member of the Reading Coal Heavers. The cabinet photo pictures Arlington striking a throwing pose, dressed in a uniform consisting of a long-sleeved jersey, matching skirt, cap, black stockings, and cleats. A ball is in her right hand and she is wearing a webless "workman's" style glove on her left hand. A large "A" appears on the left breast of her jersey. The photographer's credit, "Gilbert & Bacon" of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is printed along the base of the mount.
Arlington, whose real name was Lizzie Stride, was born in 1877 in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania. Even at an early age she was recognized as an accomplished athlete, known in her town as the first girl to ride a bicycle. Additionally, she was an accomplished roller skater, a skilled rider on horseback (she competed in polo matches with men), and a crack shot with a rifle. It was in the sport of baseball, however, that her talents reached their zenith. As word of her abilities on the diamond spread, she was signed to a professional contract in early July 1898, by Philadelphia promoter Captain William J. Connor for $100 per week to play with his baseball team, the Philadelphia Reserves. It was at that time that Stride began using the name Arlington, believing that a more English-sounding name would be better for promotional purposes. Connor signed Arlington on the belief that the novelty of a woman playing on a men's team would lead to a dramatic increase in attendance. Unfortunately, Arlington's debut with the club, in an exhibition game against Richmond on July 2, 1898, drew only 500 fans. Disappointed in the turnout, Connor immediately released her from her contract, but she was quickly signed to an Atlantic League contract by League president, and future Hall of Famer Ed Barrow.
Barrow, too, saw Arlington as a novelty draw and she made her official professional debut in a regular-season game on July 5, 1898, as a member of the Reading Coal Barons. Arlington pitched a scoreless ninth inning in Reading's 5-0 victory over the hometown Allentown Peaches, with her appearance documented in the box score from the game published in the July 16, 1898, issue of The Sporting News . (That box score is on display at the Baseball Hall of Fame.) Her appearance was also reported in the Reading Eagle the following day. Interestingly, the paper described Arlington as "a plump young woman with an attractive face and rosy cheeks. She wore a gray uniform with skirt coming to the knees, black stockings and a jaunty cap. Her hair was not cropped, but done up in the latest fashion." That description of her uniform is basically identical to the one worn by her in the offered cabinet. That she was signed to a contract by the Atlantic League, and was not specifically a member of any particular team, probably explains the "A" (for Atlantic League) on her jersey.
Although Barrow liked the publicity of a woman on the field, other teams did not share his enthusiasm, The Hartford Co-Operatives refused to let her pitch for them the next day because they were concerned that her talents were not equal to that of the player she would be replacing. They felt winning took precedence over attendance. Other teams also followed suit and voiced their opposition. While there are no other surviving official reports or box scores of Arlington appearing in any other Atlantic League games that season, Ed Barrow was later quoted as stating that she did make appearances with Newark, Patterson, and Wilmington. Regardless, her professional career in organized baseball ended in 1898. She did continue to play baseball though, headlining barnstorming tours with the Bloomer Girls as "Miss Lizzie Arlington, The Famous Lady Pitcher, " for a number of years afterwards. Arlington died in 1919 as a result of complications following surgery.
1911 Western Bloomer Girls broadside poster
Presented is a vintage broadside promoting the appearance of the Western Bloomer Girl's baseball team, circa 1911. This piece features a large image of pitcher/owner "Maud Nelson," the most important leader of women's baseball for forty years. Nelson, along with her husband John Olsen (owner of the Cherokee Indian Base Ball team), became owner/manager of the Western Bloomer Girls team in 1911. The lettering along the top reads "Western Bloomer Girl Base Ball Club." Maud Nelson is billed as "Champion Lady Pitcher of the World" below her image. The slogan "Clean Moral And Refined" is printed on the right portion. The broadside (19.75 x 27.25 inches, visible dimensions)
Wednesday, August 6, 2025
1938 Japan-US Friendly American Women's Baseball Team Ticket Stub
Korakuen Stadium.Sponsored by International Women's Association. Thirteenth Year, October. Thursday (12th), Wednesday (13th).
(13th year = 1938. But I think the Weds/Thurs symbols are reversed?)
In 1938, a Hollywood girls softball team went on a four-month Pacific tour, which included stops in Japan. Organized by sports promoter Marty Fiedler, this tour was part of a larger trend of US-Japan goodwill exchanges before the Commercial Treaty was terminated in 1939. In Japan, police ordered them to wear longer shorts.
1908 American Bloomer Girls Letter
American Bloomer Girl's contract from those days. It shows the questions that needed to be answered by the responding team. This was not an individual's contract but one to solicit teams for them to play on what was their ninth annual tour. The request in this letter is for a game possibly on September 6 or 7th as the manger "has a a good team and it is drawing large crowds." He is requesting a response. The Bloomer Girls apparently began play in 1899.
1907 Star Bloomer Girl letter
American Bloomer Girl's letter from those days. The Boomer Girls began play in 1899 and this letter is soliciting a specific date for a game with the Cohokie Blues team managed apparently by Jack Bene. It is signed by Bob Younger; the manager of the Bloomer Girls. He is requesting a game with the Chohokie Blues team of East St. Louis on May 19th, 1907, since they are "heading his way". He wants to know if that would be possible. Jack Bene had his hand in a number of early baseball teams around this time and was a manager for the Fort Scott Giants of the Missouri Valley League in 1904
1900s Western Bloomers Team Baseball Cabinet Card
Early 1900's Real Mounted Baseball Cabinet Photo. Most of the men have the name Loudin Colts on front of their uniforms. One man is wearing a Whiting uniform and a few men don't have any names on front. It looks like the initial WB is on front of the Women's Uniforms. The lady in the front left resembles Maud Nelson of the Western Bloomer Girls Lady's Baseball Team, a famous professional women's pitcher, scout, and team owner.
1910s Bloomer Girls cabinet card
Bloomer Girls advertising piece - printed photo (litho or colotype) attached at top to construction paper backdrop with team printed in red size: 4.25 x 5.5" Printer: Cross Printing Co, Chicago condition: printed by a company in Chicago but another cabinet card printed in Kansas City, has at least one of the same players, so perhaps it was the way that this particular team chose to advertise.
1901 Bloomer Girls w/ Lizzie Arlington Flyer Card Stock Placard
featuring pitcher Lizzie Arlington, ca 1901, working for team named Bloomer Girls. Wonderfully graphic and informative placard printed in blue and red on white ground listing games played for each year from 1892-1900 with win/loss ratio, flanked by woodcuts of lady batter with Y.L.B.B.C. on belts. Printed by The Piqua Printing Co. Piqua, Ohio, 8.25" x 14".
RPPC Tuscarawas Ohio Bloomer Girl Baseball Team
REAL PHOTOS TUSCARAWAS OHIO BLOOMER GIRL BASEBALL TEAM Postcard. And some names written on front identifying players. Back has writing on it that reads Bieder OH now Tuscarawas OH Bloomer Girls actual girls baseball team. Photographer is from New Philadelphia OH.
1912 Theta Base Ball Team postcard
Ink caption on front "Theta Base Ball Team 1912" showing seven girls in bloomer girl type uniforms, three holding gloves and one holding bat with apparent manager in center.
c1910s RPPC Middy Girls Ball Club Clinton (OH)
"Middy Girls Ball Club Clinton, Ohio 1438" on front and shows nine member team in bloomer girl type uniforms with two girls in back row holding baseball bat.
1900s RPPC Harbor Base Ball Team
Postmarked to Hammonton, New Jersey and shows nine member team in white uniforms with apparent manager at center wearing coat and bow tie, crossed bats and catcher's mask in foreground with little boy in center holding catchers mitt. Front has ink caption "Harbor Base Ball Team".
1907 RPPC Team w/ Swastikas (ME)
postmarked September 12, 1907 and shows Newport team consisting of seven women, several holding gloves with swastika designs on their blouses which at the time designated good luck.
1913 RPPC Baseball game (WI)
photo postcard of a group of ladies dressed in long dresses playing a game of baseball at Conference Point at Geneva Lake Wisconsin. There are some folks watching on the side and it looks like one man in the field and one man behind the catcher.
1890s Cabinet card (OH)
This 1890's vintage original sepia-toned cabinet photo reveals the distaff squad. Several of the nine women look anything but lady-like, adopting slouching or indifferent postures, and a couple of others emulate their male counterparts of the day by affecting intimidating or determined expressions. Unlike their Gay Nineties contemporaries whose uniforms typically employed pants or bloomers, this stocking-clad nine wore striped dresses—suggesting, perhaps, that the photo's origin may be even earlier than the 1890s. Regardless, it is certainly early in the history of women's baseball, and more than that, it is limitlessly charming. Cabinet photo measures 4-1/4 x 6-1/2 inches. Noted photographer: Dillon's Imperial Photo Gallery, Cincinnati, Ohio.
1913 RPPC Three Grant Pass Oregon Baseball Bloomer Girls (OR)
Postcard of Three young Women in their Grant Pass Oregon Baseball Bloomer girls Team Uniform. Rogue River Valley is very possibly their team location due to the lettering on the uniform. It is dated 1913 on the back of the postcard
1890s Bloomer Girls NY Illustrated News paper (Flushing, NY)
Rare 1890 BLOOMER GIRLS Women's Baseball Game FLUSHING QUEENS NY-All American
NEW YORK ILLUSTRATED NEWS illustrated newspaper, dated May 31, 1890. COMPLETE in 16 pgs, folio (15 1/4" x 11").Featured in this issue is an original 6 1/2" X 9" wood engraving "OUR GIDDY AND GUSHING GIRLS ARE TAKING TO THE GREAT NATIONAL GAME--FAIR MAIDS OF FLUSHING (L.I.) DOT THE DIAMOND AND TACKLE A NINE OF YOUNG MEN, AND MAKE THEM HUSTLE, TOO".A sample of the accompanying 1/4 column-length article "FEMININE BASEBALLISTS" reads, "Until one Saturday morning recently it was very generally believed that the maids of Flushing were too demure and the matrons too staid to countenance such an innovation as a game of baseball, in which seven girls took one side and nine wiry boys the other, but the innovation was made, and, ungallant as it may have been, the young women were beaten. The contest had been� on the tapis for a week or more, and when it was at last decided that the game should take place...". The article contains the roster for both teams.Also featured in this issue is the FULL PAGE wood engraving "THREE EXCITING PRIZE FIGHTS--A DECIDEDLY LIVELY PUGULISTIC WEEK" featuring action illustrations of "PETER JACKSON AND ED. SMITH", "ANDY BOWEN AND BILLY MYER", and "DENNY KELLEHER AND JOE ELLINGSWORTH". Additional illustrated sporting articles in this issue include: "ANGELEIC ATHLETES--HOW OUR DEAR GIRLS ARE MAKING THEMSELVES ABLE-BODIED AND MUSCULAR", "(John L.) SULLIVAN AND (Joe) LANNON BOXING IN FULL DRESS" ("The Paymaster" Play), "BRILLIANT BOY BOXERS--THE WONDERFUL COLORED MASCOTS OF THE SCOTTISH-AMERICAN ATHLETIC CLUB OF JERSEY CITY (NJ), and MORE
1890s Baseball Team cabinet photo
old Women's Baseball team from around 1880-1905. This is based on the style photo on the cardboard backing, but also that these girls teams existed from 1890's thru 1935. These teams were considered Bloomer Girls teams. These teams would "Barnstorm" around the U.S. playing men's teams, etc. at expositions and fairs. You can see members of a band on the left side of the photo. Also the girl 4th from the right is holding a bat, and the girl third from the right is clutching a ball! Also, it shows 8 players in the picture.
1890s Bloomer Girls Cabinet Photo (Oxford, ME)
Baseball Cabinet Photo Oxford Maine Bloomer Girls in horse-drawn wagon Photographer - H.L. Robinson, Oxford Maine Date - 1880-90 Size - 8 x 10" (entire piece) Rare 19th century albumen imperial cabinet photo featuring a Bloomer Girls team from Oxford Maine (cart reads 'Oxford Baseball Team'). 9 women are in the cart, holding their bats and gloves, many with ties and hats as well. There are also two suited men, one with a 'manager' sash.
Al. P. Gibbs' Ladies' Base Ball Club cabinet card
Cabinet Card of "Al. P. Gibbs' Ladies' Base Ball Club.
1895 Bloomer Girls vs. Seaside Maidens parade albumen photo
1895 albumen photo mounted on heavy stock, showing a parade of participants of an August 16, 1895 Baseball game between the Bloomer Girls and Seaside Maidens. All of this info penciled on the back, presumably by the Photographer G. W. Morgan who was apparently photographing local events and selling photo. At the top of the back is printed Views Harriman & Vicinity. This would be George W. Morgan who was a Photographer in Harriman, Tennessee at the turn of the last century. At this time there were many Bloomer Girls Baseball teams across the country, however upon close examination, these participants are all young men in skirts and bloomers! One holds a bat, while another has his glove in view. Also seen in the picture is the Harriman Cornet Band and a fine view of Mrs. Watkins Millinery.
1905 Kansas Bloomer Girls Calendar page
SEDGWICK, KANSAS "BLOOMER GIRLS" WOMEN'S BASEBALL TEAM 1905 CALENDAR PHOTO FROM A CALENDAR ISSUED IN 1905 ACCORDING IT'S 96 YEAR OLD ORIGINAL OWNER. He said he took it off the calendar back in the 1950s as the calendar itself had water damage. I wish he hadn't done that but it is what it is. This was found with other photos & postcards from Sedgwick, Kansas dated 1905 to 1910. The rough edge at the top is where it was attached to the calendar.
1914 All American Ladies Base Ball Club Postcard
Though known primarily for his Negro League contributions, the Hall of Fame executive J.L. Wilkinson also made history--or shall we say, herstory--by establishing the first notable barnstorming team of "Bloomer Girls." (So named for the bloomer-style pants that allowed suffrage-era women more freedom of movement.) As noted in Wilkinson's SABR biography by Charles F. Faber, "He recruited the best female baseball players he could find, including a superstar from the Boston Bloomer Girls, who played under the name Carrie Nation." Indeed, Nation (née Mae Arbaugh and assuredly not the hatchet-wielding temperance icon!) is featured prominently here, along with Marie Dierl, Harriet Murphy, Elizabeth Pull, Marguerite Cunningham, Mae Fay, Anna McCann, Selma Walbaun and Mable Bohle.
St. Mary's of Czestohowa postcard
St. Mary of Czestohowa: postally unused possibly St. Mary's of Czestochowa in Bound Brook NJ
1908 Chicago Bloomer Girls in Iowa
Chicago Bloomer Girls baseball team playing a game on June 3, 1908, in Peterson, Iowa
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)