1894 Alpha Photo Engraving Cards Set and Checklist
‘It’s In The Details’
| Title | Alpha Photo Engraving |
| Year | 1894 |
| Size | 2 3/8″ x 3 7/16″ |
| Images | Black and White |
| Type | Miscellaneous |
| Number in Set |
14 |
1894 Alpha Engraving Photo Overview
Among the scarcest of all 19th Century sets, the Alpha Engraving Photo cards are true rarities.
The set featured 14 members of the Baltimore Orioles and was produced by the Alpha Photo Engraving Company. For what purpose isn’t exactly known. Like most issues of the era, however, they were likely for some sort of advertisement.
The fronts of the cards feature a player portrait with all pictures of the players being formal shots, featuring them in suits instead of baseball uniforms. In a gray box at the bottom, the player’s name is displayed.
Backs of the cards have a playing-card type of design using red ink and include the Alpha Photo Engraving Company name. Their address of 19 E. Balderston Street in Baltimore is also displayed as are four generic pictures of baseball players in each corner.
1894 Alpha Photo Engraving Checklist
Here is a complete checklist of the set.
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