Magnificent cabinet photo featuring Hall of Fame outfielder Sam Thompson posing for a studio portrait, courtesy of the MacIntire Brothers studio of Philadelphia.  Photographer James A. MacIntire maintained his studio at 1528 Ridge Avenue in Philadelphia between 1885 and 1890, which theoretically increases the likelihood that the photo was taken between 1889 and 1890, after Thompson was purchased from the Detroit Wolverines in October of 1888.  While it is certainly possible that Thompson had this photo taken while he was traveling to Philadelphia with the Wolverines, that ballclub was no stranger to photography studios, as the Tomlinson Studio was responsible for many Wolverines studio photos between 1886 and 1887.  

Thompson was a big right fielder who averaged nearly 1.5 RBI per game in his career, batting .331 lifetime with 126 lifetime home runs.  With good speed and great power for his day, Thompson was baseball's first 20/20 man, his lifetime home run total ranking second all-time behind Roger Connor at the end of the 19th Century.  Thompson still ranks among the all-time leaders with 61 double plays from the outfield.

This cabinet photo, part of a recent discovery of 19th Century baseball photos, is a gorgeous one, with very few imperfections, and virtually zero issues with the photo.  The gold leaf edges are still intact and virtually new in appearance, the photo exhibiting virtually no wear or surface issues.  Extremely close examination of the reverse reveals what could be very light glue staining and mild discoloration from being mounted in an album for many years.  That same album preserved the photo, which exhibits no foxing or image fade, and appears virtually new.  Simply a stunning example of a rare cabinet, one of just two examples we have encountered, featuring one of the most important players of the 19th Century.