THE BASEBALL PLAYER

Regarded by many to be the finest baseball related bronze sculpture of its category the original rendering of which was created by sculptor Douglas Tilden for submission to Exposition Universelle of 1889 in Paris (the same world’s fair that presented the Eiffel Tower). Although ironically rejected by the American judges the French judges returned with a victorious prize. The original statue stands at almost six feet in height and after exhibition in New York was purchased by businessman William E. Brown who had it moved to San Francisco's Golden Gate Park where it resides to this date. Tilden grew up in Chico, CA and became deaf from scarlet fever at the age of five. His talents blossomed particularly in the subject matter of American men's sports. Tilden remarked, “It will always be my intention to perpetuate young California manhood in bronze and marble.” The offered example of the iconic bronze by Tilden displays a very well uniformed player with small bill hat and high top leather cleats preparing to toss a stitched baseball. Execution of detail and proportions is outstanding as Tilden perfectly captured the confident spirit of the sport as it exploded in popularity during the late 19th century. Statue is posed on a geometrical plinth base which is signed "Douglas Tilden" and marked by Tiffany & Co. as well as noted foundry "Gruet Fonduer Paris." Period examples of this highly coveted bronze sculpture are exceedingly rare with a slightly larger example (34 1/2" tall) residing in the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Long held as one of the pillars of the Gladstone Collection of Baseball Art this artifact was well revered by Bill and Millie Gladstone. Included with the bronze is a 34 in. tall black painted columnar plinth as it was displayed upon in the Gladstone's home: EX-MT