Negro League Game Used & Autographs
 

In preparation for the "Big" game on Thursday between the Giants and Cardinals at Rickwood Field in throwbacks, I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate the occasion by showcasing some game used, autographs, pennants, etc. celebrating the occasion. I don't have a lot, but I have a few items including the 36x24 litho pictured signed by 210 former players. Please enjoy the photo and let's see what fantastic items are out there in private collections.

Nice.

Impressive!

Finding someone who can post any game-used memorabilia from the Negro Leagues might be a big "ask". Not sure if anyone here can/will, but would sure love to see it!

Having issues uploading the pictures, but I have Dick "Cannonball" Redding's 1929 contract with the Brooklyn Royal Giants.

Beyond that, I have some Puerto Rico contracts as well including Willard Brown, Perucho Cepeda and Larry Doby.

That's great Jeff! I would really like to see them if you can get the pics uploaded. I had some trouble uploading and it was because the file was to too big, I had to resize to a less quality photo, around 60% and it worked. Give it a shot.

210 READABLE signatures it looks like...

Can't figure out why the Redding's are not working, but found I have the back page of a Perucho Cepeda contract saved on my computer and that loaded, so here it is.

That contract is amazing! I've been to Puerto Rico on numerous occasions and really love the island and people.

Incredible item. Do you know if it was signed at a particular event or reunion, and when?

Here’s something a bit different from Negro League history. Seats from Chattanooga Engel Stadium where Willie Mays played his 1st professional game in Engel Stadium

A few signatures picked up at various Negro leauge reunions.

No sir I don't. A purchased an entire collection from a local company that buys and sells a lot of antiques, jewelry, etc. This along with several other items were in the collection. It's at PSA being authenticated. In case you're wondering, it cost me $550 to get the autographs authenticated. There was a receipt where the gentleman bought the poster, I believe it was around $3K several years ago, but like an idiot I threw that away along with a lot of other documents that I wish now that I would have kept! Some other cool items in the collection were an autographed Satchel Paige and Roy Campanella 1978 World Series baseball, a circa 1940s pennant, an autographed negro league bat with Mays, and a few other autographed items.

Mike - those chairs are awesome! I wish I had room at my house for something like that.

Very nice! Allen is a tough one!

Some of my other items.

- 1946 Jackie Robinson All-Stars signed Sheet
- 1946 Satchel Paige All-Stars signed sheet
- 1953 Roy Campanella All-Stars signed ball
- 1946 Negro Yearbook
- 1947 NY Cubans team photo (Orestes "Minnie" Minoso, Luis Tiant Sr and others)
- 1953 KC Monarchs team photos (Ernie Banks)

Really great items guys, WOW that pennant is outstanding! Thinking I need to add something to my collection or it will be missing out an intricate part of baseball.

Nice stuff, I think I've seen more pre-stroke Campys than I have Dave Hoskins.

Probably my favorite piece -- a 1953 Satchel Paige, autographed HOF plaque, and that iconic Monarchs photo. Framed it with non-reflective glass. Also repro pennant from Negro Leagues Museum in KC.

Doug, I wanted to let you know that I received the litho back from PSA today and it states 205 autographs with 31 not readable. I don't know why that couldn't read them all, but who knows. I wish the 3 ladies (Morgan, Stone and Johnson) and maybe the Josh Gibson Jr auto's were mentioned on the letter, but it is what it is. At least they're real! Unfortunately, I had a bat and Campanella signed ball that didn't.

Alejandro Oms signed passport

George Crowe
 

Since GU Negro League jerseys are so scarce, I did the next best thing in snagging a George Crowe 1953 Milwaukee Braves jersey. If somebody compiles a list of the top dozen or so influential black players of the integration movement, Crowe will certainly be on it.

A few months after winning this jersey at Heritage, I received an offer through their "Make Offer" program, but it was too low and I turned it down.

That's a stunning piece! I like the idea of including items from the players who helped integrate baseball.

Couple of nice display items. The First is from the Negro Baseball Hall of History in Ashland KY. Hilton Smith Mays etc. And the Second is a Flyer for an event around the publishing of Jim Riley's Book on Black Baseball.Wells and 4 other Hall of Famers.

Those are awesome! You don't see many items signed like those with Smith, Mays or Wells.

One more from last year in Ashland.

1946-47 Almendares team signed ball.

Some names including:

Panel 1
1 Avelino Cañizares Infielder
2 Lloyd "Ducky" Davenport Outfielder 5x East-West AS
3 Jonas "Lefty" Gaines Pitcher 3 East-West AS Games
4 Conrado Marrero Pitcher Cuban Baseball HOF, Senators 1950-54
5 Adolfo Luque Manager First Latino player in baseball. Cuban and Mexican HOF. 1914-1935 MLB

Panel 2
6 Jose Cheo Ramos Coach
7 Roberto Ortiz Outfielder
8 Mario Ariose Pitcher Mexican Baseball HOF
9 Homero Ariosa Outfielder
10 Max Lanier Pitcher NL ERA leader 1943, 2x All-Star (43, 44)

Panel 3
11 Agapito Mayor Pitcher Cuban Baseball HOF - Cuban League Pitcher of Year 1941-42, Mexican League Pitcher of Year 1945, 1946)
12 Alberto "Coty" Leal Pitcher
13 Santiago Ulrich Pitcher Played for Washington Senators 1944-1945
14 Jesse Williams Shortstop

Panel 4
15 Jorge Comellas Pitcher
16 Andrés Fleitas Catcher Cuban Baseball HOF, 1946-47 Cuban league MVP
17 Santos Amaro Outfielder Mexican Baseball HOF
18 Evelio Martínez Catcher
19 Gentry Jessup Pitcher
20 John "Buck" O'Neill Infielder 3 East-West AS Games and baseball ambassador
21 Lázaro Salazar Infielder Cuban, Mexican and Venezuelan HOF, number retired across Mexican Baseball

Sweet Spot
22 George Hausmann Infielder Played for Giants 1944-45 and 1949
23 Tomás de la Cruz Pitcher Pitcher Cuban Baseball HOF. Played for Reds 1944

my best negro league
Attachment 636156

Attachment 636157

Josh Gibson :eek:

Do you have a list of signers? Struggling to read sideways but I see some amazing names there.

Robert Griffith, Cool Papa Bell, Satchel Paige, Harry Williams, Leroy Matlock, Samuel Bankhead. they were part of 1937 Dragones de Ciudad Trujillo

Michael,

Absolutely incredible seeing a Gibson like that. May I ask how and where you acquired such a beautiful piece?

Additionally would you happen to have anything signed by Oscar Charleston? I know his signature has eluded many Negro Leagues collectors. Thank you

- James

A Fun Photo
 

... of DiHigo in the dugout with Campy

Great shot! When was this?

No Charleston. Just have the easy guys besides these. At this point not ready to reveal where I got the Gibson item in case he has more

Understandable. Not like I'd be able to afford a Gibson anyway! Thank you for the response.

Apropos for today -- a ticket to the first Negro League (although "Colored" was more frequently used back then for the series name) World Series - 100 Years ago to the day. Hilldale Vs. Kansas City Monarchs.

Great Ticket Stub!! And the Autograph posts are fantastic. Great thread.

Wow all around!

Purchased from Negro Leaguer Lou Dials at the San Mateo Antique Collector’s Revival prior to 1994, when Lou Dials passed away.

Here are my Cleveland Buckeyes autographs:

Lloyd Davenport signed Album page
Avelino Canizares signed Album page
Johnny Cowan signed Postcard
Quincy Trouppe signed Postcard
Hank Presswood signed 8x10
Chet Brewer signed 8x10
Willie Grace signed Postcard
Nat McClinic signed Postcard
Sam Jethroe signed Postcard
Nap Gulley signed Postcard
George Jeff Jefferson signed Index Card
Parnell Woods signed cut from Harlem Globe Trotters magazine

1949 Oakland Oaks (PCL) scorebook signed by Artie Wilson, Billy Martin, and Bil Raimondi:

https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi.../IMG_2464.jpeg
https://photos.imageevent.com/exhibi.../IMG_2465.jpeg

That's super cool! I have a few PCL game-used lineup cards with former Negro League stars in the lineup.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...1cae6ac1_z.jpg

My only Negro Leagues related piece. One of Jackie's roommates.

"After signing with Rickey in the winter of 1945, he accompanied a black All Star team to Venezuela. The other players saw Rickey talking to Robinson at the airport before they left. but when they asked about the conversation. Robinson told them it pertained to a new black league that Rickey was organizing. Later, when Rickey made the announcement about the true topic of discussion, Robinson was in Venezuela. During the intervening winter, Robinson expressed doubts to roommate Gene Benson about his ability to make it with the Dodgers. Benson reassured him that if he could hit the pitching in the Negro Leagues, he could hit major league pitching."

Awesome ticket. Congrats! :cool: