Great looking Negro League Postcard
 

I was watching this one closely. It is super great looking but is there anyone in particular on it that is famous? Certainly as an interesting postcard as one is likely to see, imo, and a pretty stout price too....

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1938-Negro-L...=p2047675.l255

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Great piece. I think it being from the team also adds to the value. I know it would for me. But mostly because it is such a striking image. Spirited bidding throughout the day yesterday with more than a couple people interested. Also a well known and respected seller. And as we say, "when are you going to see another?"

There is a thread about postcards on the NET54 site. This postcard was posted by GREENMONSTER in January 2013, post 54 I believe.

It is titled "Lets See some Postcards." Last post 02/02/15.

Joe

Dave Barnhill, one of the top Negro League pitchers of the 1940s is probably the biggest star. I'm pretty sure that's him in the bottom right, jumping with his arms out while he screams like the Borneo Cannibal he was. There are several images of Barnhill playing for the Clowns in uniforms similar to the team photo on the card, which he is most likely in, but this would be the first image I've seen of him in the shirtless skirt uniform. (And the 1976 Chicago White Sox thought THEY had it bad)

-Ryan

Not exactly a household name, but Thad Christopher was the catcher for the 1938 Ethiopian Clowns according to the August 2, 1938 Escanada Daily Press. Big problem for teams like the Ethiopian Clowns, and Zulu Cannibal Giants is the players used nicknames, Christophers' was 'Tarzan'. Their pitcher was named 'Impo', and 'Wahoo' was the teams "colored Babe Ruth".

Not sure about the Borneo Cannibals, never researched them. Great looking PC, I've seen it before but can't recall where....

Impo was Dave Barnhill.

-Ryan

Thanks Ryan. Good to know. That's a pretty solid battery Barnhill and Christopher.

Ty

He was the seller!

Similar card $270 in 2010
 

I remember a similar card sold a few years ago.

Jackson's International Auctioneers

The Ken Oden Collection of African and African American Photography and Ephemera.

Aug 23-24, 2010 - Lot 13 - Estimate $400-$600 - Price realized $270

Very cool postcard indeed. I bid early and often on it :). Little surprised it went for more than the Pirate fold out postcard which had Wagner in it.

Meant to add
 

Similar, but not the same card or as nice.

I'm not surprised at all. Negro League postcards have been through the roof for a few years now...and this one qualifies as one of the coolest.

I will look into Syd Pollock--since I can look out my window and see his Tarrytown, NY across the icy river...

Here's a whole book about Syd by his son.

http://www.h-net.org/reviews/showrev.php?id=12018

I now recall that I saw the Indianapolis Clowns play before or during or after a minor league in Buffalo or Niagara Falls in mid-1960s.

Does that mean you were the consignor?

-Ryan

I believe this is what the team became after moving to Indy:

http://photos.imageevent.com/exhibit...s%20Clowns.jpg

Awesome PC!
 

Love this PC! I found the reverse to be pretty neat as well. Informative, good date stamp, and who the heck are the 3rd ward Sluggers anyway? Pretty cool it was sent to another team... Great front and back!

Only down side is that its like having a team photo of 15 members of the group "Anonymous" with their masks on.

I was surprised that Leon wasn't more excited about this postcard that sold on the same night:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/VTG-1908-BAS...-/271755602463

I am just waiting for it to come in :). How could I resist?

Haha! Nice grab! Glad it was you who won it!

Did you really win it Leon?!?! Is there any card you ever miss on Ebay?

Yes, I won it and will post it when in. Yes, I miss a ton. Fortunately I had 2 members alert me to that one. It will go nicely with my B & L team photo from the early 1900s.....