Just imagine attending the 11 straight World Series between 1916 and 1926. The sheer notion is spine-tingling. To say nothing of the legendary figures, ballparks and action before your very eyes, this is perhaps the most revolutionary time span that our national pastime has ever known. It begins in the Deadball Era of Shoeless Joe and ends in the Live-ball Era of the Bambino. It begins in lily-white innocence and ends in stark reality—not only because of the Black Sox scandal, the Eight Men Out, the new Commissioner. But also because of Ray Chapman's shocking death from a Carl Mays fastball. And because of WWI's devastating impact on heroes like Christy Mathewson. Not to mention the radical societal changes of Prohibition. So much history, so very fast. The game and the nation were forever shaped in these years, for better and for worse.
Though we can't travel back through time, we can lose ourselves in this extraordinary time capsule. Compiled by a baseball fanatic (a.k.a., fan) named M.J. Flanagan, the one-of-a-kind photo album contains 277 original amateur snapshots—nearly all from the Fall Classic. It's a mind-boggling, museum-worthy collection, headlined by an extremely rare example of Joe Jackson at the 1919 World Series! There are 50 pages in the 13x10 album. Up through 1920, the photos measure 3x4 and are adhered. From 1921 forward, they are slightly larger and corner-tabbed in place for easy removal. In some instances, Flanagan added white-ink captioning. Overall, the album shows expected minor wear commensurate with its age.
Includes:
1916 World Series (6)
1917 World Series (22)
1918 World Series (24)
7/29/19 Giants at Pittsburgh (5)
7/31/19 Boston at Cincinnati (3)
8/1/19 Giants at Cincinnati (3)
1919 World Series (23) w/Shoeless Joe Jackson, Eddie Collins (2) and Hap Felsch
1920 World Series (27)
1921 World Series (16)
1922 World Series (5)
1923 World Series (6)
1924 World Series (35) w/Walter Johnson (2) and Clark Griffith
1925 World Series (30)
1926 World Series (51) w/Babe Ruth (3), Babe Ruth/3 Cardinals (2), Babe Ruth/Rogers Hornsby, Lou Gehrig, Rogers Hornsby (2), Dugan (2), Bengough and Toporcer
This is an artifact that truly must be seen to be believed, and fortunately it will be on display in our showcase at the National Convention in Chicago.
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