Circa 1880 Yale Baseball Team Photo with Skull and Bones Members.
Lot 54. Circa 1880 Yale Baseball Team Photo with Skull and Bones Members. This early Yale baseball team photo shows seven players in full “Yale” uniform and another five in sweaters. The pitcher and catcher display a ball and mask, respectively, and the front row leans on bats. Striking, clear image. Interestingly, at least two players wear Skull and Bones pins. One is in the center in the front row, and the other is the catcher. The player in the front row has the pin on the “l” in Yale. Skull and Bones is a secret society established at Yale in 1832. Both President George W. Bush and Democrat presidential nominee John Kerry were members. The photo has been trimmed from its mount and has tack-holes at each corner. A ½” x 2 ¾” section in the lower left is held in place by tape. This is a wonderful Ivy League early baseball photo made all the more intriguing by its association with the most famous collegiate secret society in the country! Winning Bid $218.
