1888 – The remarkable baseball year of Joseph Hall.

Jimmy Ryan had a pretty good year in 1888. So did Roger Connor and Silver King. John Ward may have been the most admired. But in my view, no one had a better baseball year in 1888 than Brooklyn photographer Joseph Hall. His crowning achievement was the photographic record he made of every NL and AA team when they came to town.

The following takes a closer look at these well-known photos and — possibly for the first time — suggests the chronological order in which these images were taken. If you’re a team-photo junkie like me, please read on.

A “Hall” of Fame.

Joseph Hall’s contributions to the visual history of the game are commendable. Not only do we have, in unknown numbers, the images his studio supplied to the Goodwin & Co. of New York, but we also have Hall’s wonderful portrait series of the New York Giants from late in the 1888 season. Two examples are below.

Dated circa 1888. Cabinet cards by Joseph Hall. Left, New York shortstop John Ward, and right, New York manager James Mutrie.

Who was Joseph Hall?

The name is familiar to most historians, yet today there is little written about the Brooklyn photographer – no SABR BioProject, no wikipedia page, and only a few very brief blog mentions. I believe many researchers have been thrown off the trail because Hall cannot be found in the 1880 US Census – that is, if you’re searching for someone named Hall. The census index does list a Joseph Hale living in Brooklyn, and if you look at the original return you will see that this is our man, Joseph Hall, photographer.

Joseph Stanley Hall was born in England in 1832 and married in St. Giles parish, London, on March 17, 1855. After the birth of a daughter the family came to the US in the late 1850s, where he and his wife raised five additional children in Brooklyn, first on Clinton Avenue and later on State Street. In 1868, Hall contributed to Gems From Greenwood, a photo-illustrated book about Brooklyn’s treasured Green-Wood Cemetery. That same year he called himself a “manufacturing photographer for the trade.”

In the 1880s, his studio and gallery were located at 111 Fulton Street, Brooklyn. Hall promoted himself as a proprietor of “out-door” photography, specializing in the seemingly odd mix of “residences, machinery, shipping, [and] monuments.” Later, Hall was a leading proponent of “flash-light” photography and trained his four sons in the trade. It is possible some of the Goodwin photos to come from Hall’s studio were actually made by his eldest son, Joseph S. Hall Jr. (1863-1948). Joseph Sr. was at his summer residence across the Lower New York Bay at Atlantic Highlands, New Jersey, when he died June 2, 1909. He was buried at Green-Wood.

The Chronology Game.

Can we determine a specific date for each of Hall’s photos from 1888? The answer is yes, more or less. When you look closer at these images, you can often find the “fringe” player standing in the back or off to the side of the grouping. These men typically spent a short time with the club, some having been recently signed, others soon to be released. Their appearance helps to narrow-in on a photo date for each image. Based on this approach I offer the following suggestions:

May 13, 1888: Athletic, Philadelphia (AA) in studio

Possibly the first image in the series. The date is determined by the appearance of pitcher Harry Whitacre, top row far left. Though Whitacre was deemed a “promising youngster” in April 1888, he was placed on the Athletic Reserve team by manager Sharsig. Athletic played their first series in Brooklyn on April 27-29, and at the same time over in Camden, New Jersey, Whitacre pitched for the Reserves in a game played on April 29. Three weeks later, on May 20, Sharsig “awakened to the fact,” according to one newspaper, “that there is no use carrying young players on the payroll unless they are some use to the club.” Subsequently, Whitacre was released by the team before June 5 and was never to compete in a regulation game. The only contest played in Brooklyn when Whitacre may have been with the Athletics was a single game played on May 13, the likely date of the above image. Today, we greatly appreciate the effort made by Joseph Hall to identify each player on the photo mount, though in the example above Whitacre was listed as Whitaker, Zinn as Quinn, and Bierbauer was abbreviated as Boner. Wow, that’s not even close.

May 21, 1888: Kansas City (AA) in studio

Date determined by the appearance of pitcher John Kirby, sitting on the ground front right. In early May, Kirby was pitching in the Southern League when one newspaper noted that his “arm gave way recently.” After a dispute with his team about his condition, Kirby “was granted a vacation,” which apparently meant a trip to Brooklyn where Kansas City signed him to pitch against Brooklyn on May 20. He lost 9-0, and after four more starts, Kansas City released him July 10. The only contests played in Brooklyn when Kirby was on the team was the four-game series, May 19-23. The May 20 game, a Sunday, was played at Ridgewood Park in Queens. There was no game played on May 21, and it is possible the team was photographed by Hall on this date.

May 25, 28, 29, 1888: Louisville (AA) at Washington Park, Brooklyn

Dates determined by the appearance of manager John Kelly, front row in street clothes. On June 7, Kelly resigned as manager of the team, saying “it is beyond my province to make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear.” The team record at the time was 10-26. The only contests played in Brooklyn when Kelly was the manager of the team was the four-game series, May 25-29. There was no game played on May 26 due to rain. The game on Sunday, May 27, was played at Ridgewood Park in Queens. The image above was likely the first in the series where Hall posed the players at the Brooklyn ballpark, and in the shade of the third base grandstand.

May 25 to June 15, 1888: New York (NL) at the Polo Grounds, New York

This photo of the New York Giants was likely taken at the Polo Grounds. (Can anyone confirm?) We know for certain that the photo was taken before June 16, as this was the date that third baseman Elmer Cleveland, sitting second from right, was traded to Pittsburgh. Before this date, New York played at home April 25-May 3 and May 25-June 15. The players look comfortable, not cold, so I am guessing this photo was made during the second homestand. The players rested on large faux stone blocks and a stair-stepped platform, props presumably brought to the site by Hall and that appear in many of the photos in this series.

May 26, 27, 1888: Washington (NL) in studio

Dates determined by the appearance of manager Walter Hewett, top row in street clothes. Hewett last managed the team on June 12, departing with a 10-29 record. A newspaper reported on June 11 that Hewett “with his wife and daughter, will leave this week for several weeks’ tour through Vermont and Canada. Mr. Hewett’s health has been failing for some time past, and he takes this recreation in the hope of regaining flesh and health.” Apparently, Hewett chose longevity over baseball as he never returned to the team. The only contests played in New York when Hewett was manager was the four-game series with the Giants, May 25-29. The May 26 game was rained out and on Sunday, May 27, there was no game scheduled. Therefore, it possible the team was photographed by Hall in studio on one of these two days.

Possibly May 30, 1888: Cincinnati (AA) at Washington Park, Brooklyn

Cincinnati played at Brooklyn May 30 to June 2, again July 29 to August 1, and lastly August 30 to September 2. The exact date of this photo is hard to determine, so I’m picking May 30. Cincinnati played a double-header against Brooklyn on this day. Elmer Smith, top row second from right, pitched the morning game, and he can be seen in the photo holding a baseball signifying his pitcher status. Tony Mullane, top row in street clothes, pitched the afternoon game. Why was Tony not dressed? Maybe because he was unavailable for the morning game when this photo was (possibly) taken.

June 5-7, 1888: St. Louis (AA) at Washington Park, Brooklyn

Dates determined by the appearance of pitcher Ed Knouff, front row third from right. Knouff was released by the team on July 20. A newspaper on this day claimed the pitcher “has as good curves as any,” however “his fatal wildness makes him ineffective.” The only contests played in Brooklyn when Knouff was on the team was the three-game series, June 5-7. The teams also played at Ridgewood Park in Queens on Sunday, June 3.

Possibly June 12, 1888: Chicago (NL) at the Polo Grounds, New York

This may be the most interesting grouping of the bunch. It shows only nine Chicago players, not the full team, and five “rooters” in street clothes. Let’s start with the Chicago players wearing black dress coats with boutonnieres. Multiple newspaper reports from the June 8-12 series against the Giants in New York confirmed the Chicago team wore “swallowtail coats” when entering the Polo grounds each day. The nine players included in the photo match up with the starting nine from the game played June 12, a Chicago win. Also traveling with the team was Clarence Duval, the Chicago mascot, included in the photo.

The men in street clothes were, from left, actor Frank Lane, theatrical manager Ariel Barney, theatrical manager and music publisher T. Henry French, and actor-comedians Digby Bell and De Wolf Hopper. These identities were provided by Cap Anson himself in his autobiography, A Ball Player’s Career (1900), along with the caption, “The Chicago team that won over rooters from the New York team.” Hopper and Bell, well-known performers in their day, were “staunch friends of the New York Giants,” as one newspaper noted in June 1888. However, author David L. Fleitz has written that both “were [also] friends of Cap Anson.” Chicago was leading the league at the time of the New York series and then took 3 of the 4 games played. The New York Herald broke the news: “De Wolf Hopper and Digby Bell of the McCaull opera company have signed with the Chicago club. They do not engage to play ball with this organization, but simply to use their mascot qualities for the good of the nine.” Therefore, it can be suggested the above photo represents the very moment the famous theater performers jumped allegiance from New York to Anson and Chicago.

Remarkably, the New York Herald report also referenced the above photo, saying that a “picture of the Chicago club, taken on the Polo grounds, had these gentlemen [Hopper and Bell] as central figures.” So, this was not a studio image! Hall seemingly brought the studio to the ballpark, backdrop and all, instead of bringing the team to the studio. The grassy foreground can further suggest this image was made on the field.

By early August, a surging New York team had passed Chicago atop the NL standings. The Sporting Life asked on August 8, “have De Wolf Hopper and Digby Bell hoodooed the Chicago Base Ball Club?” The weekly noted that “as soon as they transferred themselves to the Chicago Club that organization began to go down hill like a greased man on a toboggan slide.” Chicago came to New York again for a three-game series, August 13-15, and both teams attended a special stage performance at Wallack’s Theatre on the evening of August 14. Hopper was there, of course, and was “cheered to the echo” when he came on stage, according to the New York Evening World. He then “proceeded to recite a thrilling ode” as noted by the New York Times. This was one of many lifetime recitals of Ernest Thayer’s 1888 poem, Casey At The Bat.

July 21-August 8, 1888: Brooklyn (AA) at Washington Park, Brooklyn

In theory, dating a photo of the Brooklyn home team should be difficult. However, the date range for this photo can be determined by the non-appearance of two players, outfielder Ed Silch and infielder Tom Burns. Silch was lent to Buffalo, leaving the Brooklyn team on July 19, and Burns was purchased by Brooklyn from Baltimore on August 10. As neither was in this team photo, it can be suggested the photo was made after Silch left and before Burns arrived. During this period, Brooklyn played 15 games at home between July 21 and August 8.

Undated: Boston (NL) in studio

Compare this photo to the Brooklyn photo above, does something look familiar? Clearly, this image of the Bostons has been heavily retouched, either by Hall or an artist at his studio. The bodies of the Boston players were actually those of the Brooklyn players, borrowed from the photo above. The heads of the Boston players, cut-out from other photos, were then added in place of those of the Brooklyn players. The lettering across the shirts was added by hand and a painted backdrop was added behind the image. That’s a lot of work for 1888, just think what AI could do today.

August 6-8, 1888: Indianapolis (NL) at the Polo Grounds, New York

Dates determined by the appearance of pitcher Bill Burdick, front row fourth from right, and first baseman Dude Esterbrook, seated far left. Burdick signed with the team on July 4 and Esterbrook was released around August 21. Upon his release, manager Spence said of Esterbrook, “there seems to be a missing link in his make-up.” The only contests played in New York when both Burdick and Esterbrook were on the team was a three-game series with the Giants, August 6-8. Much like the Chicago image from June 12, the Indianapolis club was photographed on the field at the Polo Grounds. The photo backdrop used this time was another woodsy scene belonging to Hall. This canvas featured a depiction of the Polo Grounds grandstand at far left. Hall would use this backdrop again later in the year.

Possibly August 16-18, 1888: Detroit (NL) in studio

Detroit played in New York on June 13-16, August 16-18, and September 28-October 2. Unfortunately, the Detroit roster remained constant throughout the season and it is difficult to determine when this photo was taken. (Does anyone know?) Based on the chronology presented on this page, Hall had an opening in August and it is possible the Detroit photo was made during this series.

October 3-5, 15, 16, 1888: Baltimore (AA) at Washington Park, Brooklyn

Dates determined by the appearance of catcher Bart Cantz, front row third from right, who signed with the team around July 23. According to manager Barnie, Cantz could play “a good steady game in the field.” The only contests played in Brooklyn when Cantz was with the team were October 3-5 and October 15-16. On Sunday October 14, the teams played at Ridgewood Park, Queens.

October 9, 1888: Cleveland (AA) at Washington Park, Brooklyn

Date determined by the appearance of third baseman Dick Van Zant, front row far right, who joined the team in the days before October 1. Van Zant came from the Tri-State circuit where he was called “the best in the league.” The previous third baseman, Gus Alberts, was reduced to the role of substitute and can be seen wearing street clothes, top row second from right, in this photo. The only contests played in Brooklyn when Van Zant was with the team were October 7-9. Cleveland pitcher Ed Bakely started the October 8 game and was likely not available to pitch the next day. As Bakely was not included in the team photo, it could be suggested the image was made October 9.

October 6-19, 1888: New York (NL) at the Polo Grounds, New York

Hall photographed the Giants again, this time late in the season and most likely after they captured the NL pennant, their first, on October 5. The grassy foreground suggests the image was made at a ballpark and with the painted “Polo Grounds” backdrop unfurled behind the men. We know the photo was made no earlier than August 28 as that was the first date New York wore their new tight-fitting cream knit uniforms, shown in this photo. The last regular season game was played in New York on October 13, and the Championship series against St. Louis began in New York on October 16. Game 4 of the series was played in Brooklyn at Washington Park on October 19. Based on this, I would guess the photo was made October 6-19.

The painted backdrop may also be the same used at the Star Theatre in New York on the night of October 14. The manager of the theatre had arranged a special celebration for the pennant-winners and their supporters, and where they were to be joined on stage, as one newspaper reported, by “their staunch admirers, Digby Bell and De Wolf Hopper.” Seems the duo had flipped back to supporting the Giants. The theatre program included songs, skits and a presentation.

The New York Press described the scene: “Hopper, Bell and Laura Joyce Bell sang, ‘The Answers in the Stars.’ When their verses ran out they produced a base ball. Mrs. Bell wrapped a bat on the floor after the fashion of an eager batsman. Digby Bell caught, with a bird cage for a mask, a washboard for a chest protector and boxing gloves. Hopper pitched.” The Giants and the audience found the skit “hilarious.” The Press noted further antics. “‘Here’s Johnny Ward slidin’ to second,’ yelled Hopper. He slid along his stomach, and jumped up with his black clothes white with dust. The audience was convulsed.” Hopper also hushed the crowd with another turn at “Casey.” Next the curtain was raised, revealing “an immense presentation of a grand stand and diamond at the Polo Grounds.” With the backdrop on display, the pennant was awarded to manager Mutrie and the Giants.

— Thank you for your taking this chronological journey with me. If you have any corrections or additional information, please let me know. You may have noticed that two teams from 1888 were not represented in the summary above, Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, both of the National League. It must have been difficult for Joseph Hall to persuade the NL teams to come to his Brooklyn studio or to arrange for an on-field photo at the Polo Grounds. The fabricated Boston image would further indicate this. However, I believe these two missing teams were indeed photographed by Hall and that the images are somewhere waiting to be rediscovered. — Craig

Postscript. April 8, 1889, Washington Park, Brooklyn

Joseph Hall was back at Washington Park in April 1889, capturing the return of the “Spalding Tourists,” the World Tour of 1888-89. For six months, October to April, the Chicago team and an assembled crew called All-America circled the globe, spreading the gospel of baseball. Now they were back in Brooklyn beginning the final leg of the tour, playing at Washington Park on April 8. The following day, the Brooklyn Daily Eagle noted that “the two teams were separately photographed by Mr. Hall, while seated near the grand stand.” Chicago began the April 8 exhibition with only eight men, as indicated by the photo. Clarence Duval was included in the photo, returning to the team after giving up the mascot role in late 1888.

The All-America team at Washington Park with John Ward in the center. The team was comprised of major-leaguers representing various NL cities. Their uniform had a unique feature, though mostly hidden in this photo. “Mrs. John M. Ward, wife of the well-known ball player, has designed a uniform for the All-American team,” one newspaper reported at the start of the tour in 1888. “Around the belt is draped an American flag of silk, the ends being caught up in a sailor’s tie at a point just over the left hip.”

Ward and Mutrie cabinet cards from Love of the Game Auctions. Information about Gems From Greenwood from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, January 23, 1868, which stated the book contained “twenty-six photographic views of tombs, monuments, vaults, lakes, avenues and landscapes,” and that “the edition of the work is limited to two hundred copies.” Info on Hall as outdoor photographer from the back of the circa 1888 Ward cabinet card, and as “flash-light” photographer from the University of South Carolina, Broadway Photographs, Photography & The American Stage, retrieved online November 2, 2025. Report of Whitacre as promising from the Philadelphia Inquirer, March 28, 1888, page 2. Report of Whitacre pitching in Camden from the Camden Courier-Post, April 30, 1888, page 1. Report on Sharsig awakening from the Philadelphia Times, May 20, 1888, page 16. Report of Kirby dispute from the Memphis Avalanche, May 4, 1888, and report of his vacation from the Cleveland Leader, May 20, 1888, page 15. Kelly quote from the Louisville Courier-Journal, June 8, 1888, page 6. Cleveland release date from baseball-reference.com. Info on Hewett’s health from the Washington Post, June 11, 1888. Report of Knoff and his curves from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat, July 21, 1888, page 7. Info on Hopper and Bell joining Chicago from the New York Herald, June 23, 1888, page 3, citing the Boston Herald. Friends of Anson from David L. Fleitz, Cap Anson, The Grand Old Man of Baseball (2005). Info on theatrical manager French from Jack Bales. Info on Silch release from the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, July 13, 1888, page 1. Info on Burns signing from the Brooklyn Daily Times, August 11, 1888, page 8. Report of Esterbrook missing a link from the Indianapolis Journal, August 21, 1888, page 3. Report of Cantz and steady play from the Baltimore Sun, July 26, 1888, page 4. Report of Van Zant as best from the Detroit Free Press, September 28, 1888, page 8. Info on New York first wearing uniform from the New York Herald, August 29, 1888, page 3. Details of Star Theatre performance from the New York Press, October 15, 1888. Image of Chicago in Brooklyn in April 1889 from the Chicago Historical Society, scan from Carson Lorey. Info on the All-America uniform from the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, September 15, 1888, page 8.