Pre-Rookie image of Rube Waddell when he played for the Evans City Merchants before he debuted in the Major Leagues later that year. Waddell can be seen at upper right. There is a faint identifier of “Rube” to the left of his head and “Waddell” to the right of his head. This is almost certainly a later added identifier and NOT Rube’s actual signature.
To our knowledge, this is only known existing print of a pre-rookie Rube Waddell in the 1890s. While a duplicate print from the 1900s or 1910s, it is still historically significant find.
This print is off a duplicate negative, it evidences the trademark “fuzziness” of such a print. It was not printed in 1897 when the image was taken. It was likely printed c. the 1900s or 1910s. The print evidences “silvering” when held at an angle that indicates a vintage print. The mount had a detached lower right corner which has been reattached with archival glue. This print will not qualify for a PSA letter or encapsulation as it is mounted. It is a duplicate print from the early 20th century, or what PSA would likely refer to as a “Type IV” print. Still, this very well be the only vintage print depicting Rube Waddell in uniform in the 19th century.
