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 All six cards have been graded Fair 20 by SGC due to the players' names being penciled on the back. The approximate technical grades (without the writing) would be as follows: William Abrams - Excellent, Bill Craver - Good, Stephen King - Excellent, Bub McAtee - Vg+, James (Peter) McKeon - EM, Anthony McQuide (also: Andrew McQuade) - Good.
 All cards (cartes de visite or CDVs) employ original, unretouched photographs of the players mouted on a thicker paper/cardboard backing. CDVs were first utilized in France around 1850 and remained popular into the early 20th century. On the back of each card is the name and address of the manufacturer (E.S. Sterry & Co.) and information for ordering additional cards of each player. One of the cards, James McKeon, has its reverse printed upside down.
 According to some sources, the Lansingburgh Unions began their existence in 1861 and were undoubtedly, one of the most extraordinary early baseball clubs, often stunning their allegedly superior opponents from larger cities. In fact, the Unions routinely defeated their opponents by lopsided margins, scoring well over 100 runs during many of their contests. Originally called the Troy Victorys, they disbanded during the Civil War but began operations under a new charter in 1866, when they were renamed the Lansingburgh Unions, although the players on the team were different from the first (1861) club. This set, then, represents six of the original nine members from the very first Union team (see player bios below).
The Unions/Haymakers, charter members of the National Association of Base Ball Players, were one of the first 12 professional baseball teams in the United States. During the 1866-69 seasons, the Unions/Haymakers won more than 90% of their games, establishing themselves as one of the most prominent teams in the early days of baseball. During the 1866 season, in particular, they were dominant, both inside and outside of the state. There is mention of only a single game that they lost during that season. Even the fabled Cincinnati Red Stockings couldn't beat them during their "undefeated" 1869 season—their game with the Unions/Haymakers ended in a 5-inning, 17-17 tie when it became apparent that the Red Stockings had "paid off" the umpire. In the game, the Unions had requested that the umpire be changed, which was allowed under National Association rules, but the Red Stockings refused.
► William Abrams was the team's first captain and became the starting pitcher after the death of Andrew McQuide in 1866. He was also one of the best long-ball hitters of his time. ► Bill Craver, recognized as one of the game's earliest innovators, was the first player to slide in a game and was also the first catcher to position himself directly behind the plate, in close proximity to the batter. Craver holds the infamous distinction as perhaps the first in professional baseball to be banned for illicit gambling in the Louisville scandal of 1877, even though it was not actually proved that he participated in any "fixed" games. Craver was among the best known and most controversial players of his time, also drawing comparisons to a similar player from the 20th century, Hal Chase. ► Stephen (Steve) King was one of the best outfielders of his era, several times batting at or close to .400 during his career. ► Michael James "Bub" McAtee was a versatile infielder, playing both shortstop and first base. ► James McKeon (McCune in some sources) was the club president. He made the decision to pull his team from the field in the 17-17 tie to the Red Stockings in 1869. ► Andrew (Anthony in some sources) McQuade was the team's top pitcher and was rarely defeated behind his expert play and powerful offensive support. He was fatally injured on November 22, 1866 when his horse-drawn wagon was hit by a railroad engine. McQuide died the following day.
 Although there have been numerous claims as to the "first" baseball card, there is little question that this group of 6 players represents the very first baseball card set, comprising 6 of the starting 9 from the first (1866) Lansingburgh Unions baseball team.
Other CDVs also exist that feature images of the early game or specific players but most cannot be definitively dated to 1866 or earlier and those that can, do not comprise a complete set or subset of a specific team -- i.e., they were not meant to be collected as a series of baseball cards.  | Front of card | Back of card | | Front of card | Back of card |
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We are pleased to offer an exceptional group of vintage sports cards & memorabilia!
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