Consign Your Best Items with Lelands. We Also Pay Cash on the Spot! Learn More Here.

Important 1890s "The Princeton Tiger" Gouache by John White Alexander (1856-1915)

Important 1890s "The Princeton Tiger" Gouache by John White Alexander (1856-1915)

A rare early piece, this 12x21" gouache entitled "The Princeton Tiger" was done by John White Alexander. His works have been featured in U.S and European museums including the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Library of Congress in Washington DC, some selling for as much as $530,500 at Christie's in the 1990s. When Alexander was 18, he worked at Harper's Weekly, which led to a lasting friendship with Mark Twain. From 1881-89 he was an instructor of drawing at Princeton University and also illustrated the cover of the first issue of "The Princeton Tiger," 3/7/1882. Signed by Alexander "J.W.A" in pencil, it shows an unnamed player in Princeton striped sweater holding an early style football. Page 270 of the Winter 2014 Princeton University Library Chronicle mentions this work exactly and states it was in the collection of Peter B. Rathbone; two pages later, this exact work is shown. Also includes addition board that states "Wedding of Peter Rathbone & Maria Kelleher, from Irina Reed, granddaughter of John White Alexander" - this confirms it was from the collection of Peter Rathbone when it was gifted to him on his wedding day in June 1977.


Past Sports Card, Memorabilia, Non-Sports Card and Collecitble Auction Items

Other past auction items that may be of interest to you.

1891 Football Noseguard
Turn of the Century "Melon" Football
1964 NFL Champion Cleveland Browns Signed Team Photo
1999-2000 Baltimore Ravens Game Worn Jerseys (11)
Late 1960’s Pro Football Hall of Fame Signed Letterhead
1999 CFL Grey Cup Trophy
1969 Minnesota Vikings Championship Ring
1969 Dallas Texans AFC Championship Ring