1871 Atlantic, Brooklyn (Atlantics)

This rendering is based on visual documentation for uniform style and color. Minor details may be undocumented or difficult to determine and an educated guess is made to complete the rendering.

Rendering accuracy:

Year: unconfirmed    Team: documented

Visual documentation on this uniform:

Photo A

Dated 1871/1872. Image from Henry Chadwick, The Base Ball Player’s Book of Reference (Published by Peck & Snyder, 1871/1872). Information from Robert Edward Auctions.

Written documentation on this uniform:
April 1871: “The [Troy] Trojans fully anticipated returning home victors in two contests; but the match with the Atlantics which was to have been played today [April 26, 1871], is off for the present, as their club uniform was not ready.” From Jeffrey M. Laing, The Haymakers, Unions and Trojans of Troy, New York (2015), citing a resource not identified in an online book preview. Laing stated that this was one of two games to be played against Atlantic and the Capitoline Grounds, Brooklyn, April 25 and 26, 1871, and that the weather was intermittent rain both days.

April 1871: “Below we give a complete list, arranged alphabetically, of the regular professional nines which have completed their organization for the season: Atlantic of Brooklyn, share gate money; Athletic of Philadelphia, pay players by salary; Boston of Boston, stock company; Chicago of Chicago, stock company; Eckford of Brooklyn, share gate money; Forest City of Cleveland, pay players by salary; Forest City of Rockford, share gate money; Haymakers of Troy, stock company; Kekiongas of Fort Wayne, share gate money; Mutuals of New York, pay players by salary; National of Washington, share gate money; Olympic of Washington, stock company.” From the Buffalo Express, April 29, 1871, page 4. Research from Ed Morton.

May 1, 1871, Atlanta, Brooklyn, v. Tony Pastor, amateur club, at Brooklyn, exhibition game: “The new uniform of the Atlantics was much admired, consisting of blue knickerbocker pantaloons, red checked stockings and white shirt and cap.” From the Brooklyn Union, May 2, 1871, page 3. Research from Ed Morton. A similar report was printed in the Brooklyn Daily Eagle, May 3, 1871, page 6.

May 1, 1871, Atlantic, Brooklyn v. Tony Pastor, amateur club, at Brooklyn, exhibition game: “Considerable interest was manifested to see the new nine of the old club attired in the handsomest uniform the Atlantics have ever worn; their new dress consisted of white caps and shirts, blue knickerbocker trousers, and red plaid stockings.” From the New York Tribune, May 2, 1871, page 5. Research from Ed Morton.

Team genealogy: Atlantic, Brooklyn, 1854-1875
Atlantic was formed in Brooklyn, NY, in late 1854. The club was one of 16 charter members of the National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP), baseball’s first organization, operating 1857-1870. The club initially chose not to enter the National Association (NA), baseball’s first professional league, operating 1871-1875. However, Atlantic did join the NA in 1872 and played in the league until 1875, when they disbanded. The success and popularity of the club during the 1860s led to the frequent use of the Atlantic name by other clubs. Information from Craig B Waff, William Ryczek, Peter Morris and others, Base Ball Founders (2013).