1885 Buffalo (Buffalos, Bisons)

This rendering is based on written documentation for uniform style and color from another year. No visual documentation is known and an artist’s conceptualization is used to create the rendering.

Rendering accuracy:Year: documented    Team: documented

This rendering is included in the book, BASEBALL THREADS.

Visual documentation on this uniform:
None

Written documentation on this uniform:
March 1885: “The Buffalos wear their new uniforms for the first time in the city Thursday [March 19].” From the Buffalo Sunday News, March 15, 1885.

April 1885: “Attractive two-sheet posters announcing opening games with the Buffalos were glued on the billboards and dead walls yesterday [in Detroit]. So many changes have been made in the Bison nine that, were not for Galvin and Brouthers, the team would not be recognized.” From the Buffalo Commercial Advertiser, April 24, 1885, page 3, citing the Detroit Free Press. Not uniform related but interesting nonetheless.

June 1885: “At the Court Street theater last evening [June 1] both the St. Louis and Buffalo teams occupied boxes and enjoyed Billy Kersands’ jokes. […] Thursday’s game [June 4] will be enlivened by strains from Billy Kersands’ band. The minstrels have been invited to witness the game and will take their musicians with them.” From the Buffalo Times, June 2, 1885. St. Louis (NL) played at Buffalo June 1-4. Not uniform related but interesting nonetheless. According to wikipedia.com, Kersands (c.1842-1915) was an African-American comedian and dancer. He was the most popular black comedian of his day, best known for his skillful acrobatics, instrument playing and his comic routines involving his large mouth, which he could contort comically or fill with objects such as billiard balls or saucers. Retrieved September 28, 2022.

Team genealogy: Buffalo 1879-1885
Buffalo joined the National League (NL) in 1879. The NL formed in 1876 and Buffalo played in the league from 1879 through the end of the 1885 season. Information from wikipedia.com.