Glass Negatives – The Chapman Deadball Collection

Johnny Evers, 1909 Bain negative

George Grantham Bain's News Service, Glass Negatives, Hall of Famers, Johnny Evers

Johnny Evers seen taking his cuts during batting practice at the Polo Grounds in New York in 1909. This negative from George Grantham Bain’s News Service is one of the earliest existing negatives from Bain as his services offices burned in 1908.

Tris Speaker, Magic Lantern slide, 1916

American Press Association, Glass Negatives, Hall of Famers, Tris Speaker

This glass Magic Lantern slide advertises Speaker’s move from the Boston Red Sox to the Cleveland Naps in 1916.

“Doc” White glass negatives by Francis P. Burke

Doc White, Francis P. Burke, Glass Negatives, Photos published in Baseball Photography of the Deadball Era

These four glass plate negatives of “Doc” White were taken by Francis P. Burke in circa 1912. They were all featured in the book That Old Ball Game by David R. Phillips, who rediscovered the Burke negatives in the 1970s.

Christy Mathewson on the mound in the Polo Grounds 1913, Bain negative

1- Photographs, Christy Mathewson, Glass Negatives, Hall of Famers

A George Grantham Bain glass plate negative showcasing Christy Mathewson pitching in the the Polo Grounds in 1913. Mathewson’s distinctive delivery is readily evident. Few images of Mathewson in actual game action exist.

Home Run Baker, 1911 World Series Bain Negative

1- Photographs, Frank "Home Run" Baker, George Grantham Bain's News Service, Glass Negatives, Hall of Famers, Photos published in Baseball Photography of the Deadball Era

This is an original George Grantham Bain glass plate negative of Home Run Baker at the Polo Grounds in New York during the 1911 World Series. We know it is the World Series as the dugout background matches known images of the Polo Grounds which…

Chief Bender, Bain glass negative and print, 1911 World Series

1- Photographs, Agencies, Chief Bender, George Grantham Bain's News Service, Glass Negatives, Hall of Famers

Here is an original glass plate negative produced by George Grantham Bain of Chief Bender at the 1911 World Series in the Polo Grounds in New York. Also here is an original period print from that negative which has been cropped to focus on Bender.…

Chief Bender T227 pose, circa 1911

1- Photographs, Agencies, Brown Brothers, Chief Bender, Glass Negatives, Hall of Famers, Photos used for Cards

A crisp Brown Brothers photograph of Chief Bender in Shibe Park Philadelphia circa 1911. This shot was used to produce his 1912 T227 card, note the rotation of the image for the card which produces an unnatural tilt to his head. The original glass plate…

World Tour, Ballplayers at the Sphinx, 1914

1- Photographs, 7 - 1913-1914 World Tour, Glass Negatives, Hall of Famers

This a hand colored magic lantern glass slide of the players on the World Tour in front of the Sphinx in Egypt. The artistry of the colorist was outstanding, at first glance the image appears to be a color photograph. The tourist were in Egypt…

Dickie Kerr in Waxahachie, 1921

5 - Waxahachie ML Spring Training, Dickie Kerr, Glass Negatives

Dickie Kerr in front of the grandstand at Jungle Park in Waxahachie 1921. Note the screen door from the field to the grandstand which is also evident in the Tubby Spencer snapshot. For the full story of the Major Leagues in Waxahachie see this Research…

Eddie Collins in Waxahachie, Texas,

5 - Waxahachie ML Spring Training, Collections, Eddie Collins, Glass Negatives, Hall of Famers, Photos published in Baseball Photography of the Deadball Era

Hall of Fame second baseman Eddie Collins is depicted in the outfield of Jungle Park in Waxahachie in Spring Training 1921 with the Chicago White Sox. Of particular note is the tower of the Ellis County courthouse visible to the side of Collins’ left arm.…