The Strobridge Lithographic Company manufactured advertising posters and lithos.  Founded in 1847, the company was based in Cincinnati, and was a well-known manufacturer of colorful lithographic posters and calendars.  Many of the famous Ringling Bros. circus posters were manufactured by the Strobridge company.

Presented here are a pair of beautiful color lithographs produced in 1905 by the Strobridge company, illustrating baseball scenes at the Palace of the Fans in Cincinnati, home of the Reds from 1902 until 1911.  The uniforms of the ball clubs depicted in the scenes appear generic, perhaps remotely modeled after the Reds uniforms, but lacking any team identifiers or facial characteristics that might permit identification of the players or teams.  This is likely by design, as the posters were likely intended for distribution beyond Cincinnati.  The posters are part of a series; we are unsure how many were produced but we have identified four.  

Both posters are framed to a finished size of approximately 20" x 27".  The first poster pictures a pitcher, having just unleashed a pitch.  A runner leads off first, players and spectators observe in the background, the grandstand set against a cloudy, colorful sky.  The poster presents extremely well, with no visible signs of restoration.  The upper-right corner has been clipped off, with some additional wrinkling and light creasing evident here and there.  The poster exhibits some mild edge tears, including one at the right edge, perhaps two inches in length.  All the tears lie flat inside the frame and are thus difficult to see.

The second poster pictures a batter, catcher and umpire in the box, awaiting a pitch, the grandstand set against a blue sky in the background.  This is more worn than the first, with significant creasing at the lower left.  One can observe several prominent tears and holes in the area of creasing, as well as a few smaller edge tears and a visible crease down the center, perhaps three inches in length.  A worthy candidate for professional restoration, the piece presents extremely well as it is, despite the wear and tear.  Two extremely colorful and rare lithographic posters, produced at the turn of the century by a well-known lithographic printing company.