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The Many Forms of Vintage Sports Lithography

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Invented in the late 1800s, chromolithography was revolutionary for two reasons.  First, it could produce vividly colorful graphics popular with the public.  Second, unlike other types of printing, it could be printed to many different surfaces, including metal, ceramics, cloth and leather.

The following is a brief gallery of the different forms of vintage sports lithography.

1912 Turkish Trophy tobacco premium leather of Walter Johnson. One of the more unusual baseball premiums.
1912 Turkish Trophy tobacco premium leather of Walter Johnson. One of the more unusual baseball premiums.
Another premium from Turkish Trophy tobacco. This one of John McGraw is on cloth.
Another premium from Turkish Trophy tobacco. This one of John McGraw is on cloth.

 

Yankee Boy tobacco tin. For metal objects, they would print on flat metal, then bend the metal into the shape.
Yankee Boy tobacco tin. For metal objects, they would print on flat metal, then bend the metal into the shape.

 

Another tobacco tin
Another tobacco tin

 

Yes, you could buy a tin of Babe Ruth endorsed tobacco
Yes, you could buy a tin of Babe Ruth endorsed tobacco

 

With this cigar box, they printed both directly onto the wooded box and applied lithograph paper labels
With this cigar box, they printed both directly onto the wooded box and applied lithograph paper labels

 

 

A 1920s two-person baseball game made of wood and lithographed tin
A 1920s two-person baseball game made of wood and lithographed tin

 

Antique lithograph tin trays are highly collectable with both sport and non-sport collectors. Coca Cola trays are particularly popular.
Antique lithograph tin trays are highly collectable with both sport and non-sport collectors. Coca Cola trays are particularly popular.

 

Most kids had a lithographed metal lunch box. This one is from 1968.
Most kids had a lithographed metal lunch box. This one is from 1968.

 

Football candy container made in Germany
Football candy container made in Germany

 

1940 tin toy
1940 tin toy

 

Most old pins have lithograph graphics.
Most old pins have lithograph graphics.

 

 

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About David Cycleback

David Cycleback is an art and artifacts historian and an internationally known authentication expert. He has authenticated artifacts for major institutions, was a writer for the standard academic reference Encyclopedia of Nineteenth Century Photography, and teaches courses in art authentication. Reprinted by Beijing's Three Shadows Art Center, his guides "Judging the Authenticity of Prints by the Masters" and "Judging the Authenticity of Photographs" were the first comprehensive books on the subjects published in China. He can be reached at [email protected].

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