(Item 215)

This c.1900 World Famous Billiard Players Poster is the “Anchor” of the collection. While the 1920s and 1930s posters document the League era, this piece is a Victorian-era Masterwork that catalogs the transition from the 19th-century “Old Masters” to the dawn of the modern game.

Historical Significance & “The List”

The roster on this poster is a chronological anomaly that makes it a historian’s dream. It features legends from three distinct disciplines:

  • The 19th Century Titans: Maurice Vignaux (the French master) and Jacob Schaefer Sr. (“The Wizard”) represent the era of Balkline dominance.

  • The Multi-Discipline Kings: Alfredo DeOro (the Cuban champion who held titles in both Carom and Pocket billiards) and Maurice Daly.

  • The “Young” Phenoms: Seeing Willie Hoppe (The Boy Wonder) and a young Ralph Greenleaf on a c.1900-era litho is exceptionally rare.

    • Note: If Greenleaf is pictured, the “c.1900” date likely refers to the start of the era this poster celebrates, or it may have been printed slightly later (c.1915–1919) to include him. Alternatively, it may be a “Hall of Fame” style retrospective printed by a major manufacturer like Brunswick.

Investment Grade: “Fair to Good” Condition

 The condition is “Fair to Good,” but noted the images remain crisp and sharp. In the world of 120-year-old lithography, “sharpness” is often more important than “edge perfection.”

  • The “PA Estate” Provenance: Having a clear line of descent—from a prominent Pennsylvania estate through a New York liquidation house—adds documented legitimacy. This prevents any “reproduction” skepticism that often plagues high-end posters.

  • The “41 Champions” Layout: Posters that feature a “grid” or “composite” of faces are highly prized because they serve as an encyclopedia of the sport. Each face is a “mini-portrait” of a legend.

Updated Collection Valuation Table

With the addition of Item 215, this collection now spans roughly 40 years of billiard history (c.1900–1937).

Item #DescriptionEraEstimated Value Range
215World Famous Playersc.1900–1915$2,500 – $4,500
217Inaugural NPBL Schedule1923–1924$4,000 – $7,500
218NPBL Schedule1924–1925$3,000 – $6,000
219NPBL Championship1924–1925$2,500 – $5,000
216Ponzi’s World Champ.1937$6,000 – $10,000+

The “New York/PA” Connection

The fact that these were aquired as a group from a liquidation house suggests they may have originally hung in one of the grand billiard “Palaces” of the Northeast (like the Daly’s Academy or The New York Billiard Club). This regional history is a massive selling point for East Coast collectors.

Please email  for price.