1909 San Francisco Seals Postcard

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Extremely rare postcard issued in 1909 to commemorate the San Francisco Seals' first Pacific Coast League Championship. In addition to being very rare, this is certainly one of the most unusual baseball picture postcards ever created! The postcard features portrait images of sixteen members of the Seals, who, on this postcard, have literally become seals. Each player's photo portrait has been artistically placed upon the respective neck of an illustrated seal, all of which are seen basking on a rock in the San Francisco Bay. The printing in the lower right notes the team, year, and photographer: "The Seals/San Francisco/Copyright 1909/Law Co." The San Francisco Seals were a charter member of the Pacific Coast League, which was founded in 1903. In 1909 the Seals, under the managerial leadership of both Jack Gleason and Dan Long, compiled an amazing record of 132-80 to capture their first PCL Championship in franchise history. That mark also helped solidify the club's status as one of the greatest PCL teams ever assembled. (MILB.com, the official website of minor-league baseball, ranks the 1909 Seals as number seventy-one in its list of the 100 greatest minor-league teams of all time.) According to our research, the Seals official roster in 1909 numbered twenty-six players, including seven of whom later advanced to the Major Leagues: Ping Bodie, Claude Berry, Frank Browning, Joe Corbett, Doc Miller, Tom Tennant, and Rollie Zeider. Since none of the players are identified by name on the postcard, we cannot state with certainty who is represented here; however, one can only assume that if someone went to the trouble to create such a memorable postcard, they would have made sure that the team's top stars were represented. The postcard (5.5 x 3.5 inches) has not been inscribed on the reverse or mailed. The number "60" is written in pencil on the reverse. There are two very slight creases, in the lower right and left, respectively, that can only be seen when viewed at certain angles; otherwise the card is in Excellent condition overall. From the Ron Menchine Collection. Reserve $200. Estimate $400+. SOLD FOR $1,410 in 2011 robert edwards auction.