Currier and Ives Very Small Folio Litho

[frogpatch]

I just got back from a church rummage sale. It was the second day so I was rummaging extra hard. In a box of postcards I found this. I got very excited when I looked through my loop and did not see print dots. I went online to Currier and Ives ID site and it matches all the characteristics of an original. I could not find out if this American National Game of Baseball was ever printed in very small folio, only that this is a rare size. If anyone can help me with the authentication of this and also an approximate value if it is an original I would appreciate it. Here are some details:
Size 5 x 6/38
Image Size 3 1/2 x 5 1/2
Paper is a similar to an old post card. You can see the fluff of the cotton with a loop. The pic is off a bit as to color. The site would not allow me to download a scanned image so I has to use my phone camera.
The black ink has been colored over and has a different pattern the the hues. The color overruns the lines in a few spots. On the far right, the red of one of the hats missed completely. I read this is typical because they were hand colored in a hurry by assembly workers.
It is marked in the left corner "Published by Currier and Ives"

[KC]

The game of 1865 and C&I produced in 1866.  Love that picture and the other baseball one they have showing the stands.

I know prints are running $8 - $12.  Not sure what an original lithograph of this would run...but Etsy has some to compare.

How fun!!!

[frogpatch]

I just read that Currier and Ives never made prints in more than one size. Whatever size it was published in was it. The original of this was larger and the last one sold for 45K. That would have been the only size it was published in. Oh well, it is very old and I still love it. Notice that the players do not even wear gloves back then. Both teams were from NY.

[mart]

Collectors of baseball memorabilia would love this if in an appropriate frame to year !!

[frogpatch]

They sure liked the original large one. It sold for 45K

[Rauville]

They sure liked the original large one. It sold for 45K

They liked this one even better!
http://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2230/lots/6

[frogpatch]

Wow Rauville. Maybe the guy was wrong and they did make a little one. I only paid 50 cents for mine.   

[mart]

The one in Rauville`s link is slightly over 24X33 with 1 5/8 border !!  That's a large one !! Did you look up that top 50 litho`s they mentioned at the bottom ??

[cogar]

Frogpatch, how about a picture of the back side.

Me thinks you may have found a really good "sleeper". 

[Rauville]

Frogpatch, how about a picture of the back side.

Me thinks you may have found a really good "sleeper". 

I agree, most likely what you have found is an original C&I period "Trade Card".
http://home.earthlink.net/~printhaus/citrade_cards.htm

[Ipcress]

This is the trade card
http://bid.robertedwardauctions.com/bidplace.aspx?itemid=9775

Frogpatch's resembles the type of reproduction postcards that are often issued in booklets or envelopes. Maye by one of the many companies who reproduced C&I lithographs.

[cogar]

I'm hopeing to see a "canceled" stamp on the backside of it.

[frogpatch]

It is not a postcard it is a hand colored lithograph. Wrong size, wrong printing technique and no place for an address or stamp. The back is blank.  I have collected and sold early 20th Century postcards for 30 years. Please trust me on this one. My only question was could it be an original small folio litho which were made in the 19th century. The answer by a C and I expert was "No." That print only came in one size. Thank you all for your help.

[mart]

http://blog.robertedwardauctions.com/?p=615

Did you read this Frogpatch ?? A little history !!

[cogar]

The answer by a C and I expert was "No." That print only came in one size. Thank you all for your help.

The fact is that it exists ....... regardless of what any per se "expert" says ...... and you have possession of it.

You need to take a high resolution scan of it, .... 600 to 1200 dpi, ..... and transmit the image to a dozen or so people who might be interested in offering their opinion and/or acquiring it, ..... especially the Cooperstown Museum.

Just be sure you include how you gained possession of it.