• Card series: Beginnings: 1880's
• City: Washington, D.C.
• Team: Nationals
• League: National League

Abner A. Boyce was posed by the Old Judge photographer prior to the 1888 season in a Washington Nationals uniform. The right-handed would-be major leaguer never fulfilled that ambition. According to the Goodwin card editors Boyce made the pre-season roster as a catcher for D.C. but fizzled out in exhibition games. They cite aWashington Post comment that Boyce was “quite nervous,” evidenced by eight passed balls in one game against Amherst College. The Post reporter noted: “It has been decided not to sign Boyce.” Apparently that was at least partly due to a high salary demand of $1800. By comparison, starting catcher Connie Mack received $2500 that year from the same club.

• Boyce hailed from Poughkeepsie, NY