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c. 1880s Victorian Baseball Trade Card – Selz "Rock Bottom" Shoes, Chicago
Front: A boy in a red striped shirt and red stockings leans against a wall, baseball in hand, looking miserable. The caption reads: "An Accurate Barometer — No Base Ball for a week." It is an early baseball joke on 19th-century advertising.
Back: "Buy the Celebrated Selz ‘Rock Bottom’ Shoes, Manufactured by Selz, Schwab & Co., Chicago. Ask for our A. B. C. Children’s Shoes." A purple merchant stamp reads Schulte & Jingling, Hopedale, Ill., the small-town Illinois store that handed this card out.
Dating: The firm was founded in 1871 as M. Selz & Co. and took the name Selz, Schwab & Co. in 1878, so this card is no earlier than 1878. The printing style and subject point to the 1880s.
Size: 2 3/4" x 4 1/4"
Condition: Some creasing, light toning and surface wear. Merchant stamp on back. Please see the scans; they are part of the description
Shipping: Item ships within 1 business day of payment - securely packaged.
