Help from Negro League experts! Clowns Postcard.

[jb217676]

Hi guys,
Just got this postcard in the mail and I was wondering if anyone here can identify any of the players (I know King Tut is far left in the front row, Alex Radcliffe is top row fourth from left and "Bunny" Downs is far right wearing the suit). I've seen this postcard described as being from 1943, but it has to be 1944 since Radcliffe wasn't on this team until 1944.

My copy was sent to "Bob" from Henry Merchant who played for the team from 1943-48. Cincinnati-Indianapolis is written on the front and they went by this name from 1944-45. Merchant barely played on the team in 1943 but I was wondering if he was in the photo. Could this be a 1944 or 1945 postcard? If Merchant wasn't in this photo I'm curious why he wrote his name on it. Any help or information about this postcard is extremely appreciated!
Jeff

[h2oya311]

Jeff - Sorry I can't be of much help on this one, but I REALLY like this postcard. Nice snag off the 'bay!

[Butch7999]

Very cool postcard indeed.
From 1951 through 1955, the Clowns played most of their "home" games in Buffalo. Merchant was with the Clowns in those years.
Can't quite match any face in the postcard with this picture of him, but maybe you'll have better luck:
http://baseballgames.dreamhosters.com/BuffaloCriterion520517p3aL.jpg

Article is here: http://baseballgames.dreamhosters.com/NegroLeaguesBuffalo.htm

[36GoudeyMan]

Not sure if this is helpful, but this appears to be a 1944 Cincinnati-Indianapolis Clowns team postcard. Sam Hairston was on that team, but I don't recognize him in this postcard. Here's a link to some references for that team and its roster: http://seamheads.com/NegroLgs/team.php?yearID=1944&teamID=CIC&tab=roster

[MrSeven]

The picture is a team photo from 1943 per the book Barnstorming to Heaven. The author's father owned the Indianapolis Clowns but unfortunately passed while writing the book. There is a picture section towards the end (besides the postcard image being used on the cover). Don't have a copy available to me right now.

The 1943 Indianapolis Clowns' Team Picture

This Clowns' team picture includes Buster Haywood (standing far left in civilian clothes) and business manager Bunny Downs (standing far right in civilian clothes). Also pictured are King Tut (kneeling far left) and Roosevelt Davis (kneeling far right).

[MrSeven]

Back of the 1991 League Legends postcard series for your photo.

https://i.imgur.com/VJ9KqUt.png

[jb217676]

Thanks for the help guys! If it's from 1943 how is it possible Radcliffe is in the photo if he didn't join the team until 1944? Also, do you guys think Merchant is the player on the far right of the second row with his hands on his knees? Really looks like him.

[MrSeven]

The gentleman on the far right of the second row does bear resemblance to the photo Butch linked to.

You might be right about the 1944 date as well. Sounds like Radcliff played a whole season in 1943 with the Chicago American Giants.

[bcbgcbrcb]

Negro League/Barnstorming team records and statistics are far from perfect or definitive so almost anything is possible.