ID Help 1914 Signed Postcard from Negro League Collection
 

I recently purchased a collection of Autographs of Negro League players dating back to the 1900's. It included this postcard from 1914. Signed simply George (twice). It is obviously a player as he mentions pitching against the Chicago Union Giants. Does anyone have any idea who "George" may have been?
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Always BUYING Vintage autographs
jim@stinsonsports.com

Hi Jim, it sounds to me like George is a pitcher for the local team that's about to play the Chicago Union Giants. From the way he describes the Giants, I'm going to assume he's white.

This had me pondering the same thing as well, but also made me wonder if blacks ever referred to themselves that way in the same way they long have with another certain word.

According to the Sep 8, 1914 edition of the Des Moines (IA) Register, the Chicago Union Giants played in Fort Dodge IA on Monday, Sep 7, winning 8-5.

So apparently, "George" was a pitcher for the Fort Dodge team.

Steve

I was wondering same. But what had me believing it was someone of the same race is the orphanage pictured on the front was at that time integrated with a monthly journal published entitled "Soul Food". Tried to find anything on the person it addressed to and came up empty. Delving into census now to see if I can find anything on Mr. Thompson. Thank you, Steve, for the info on the game. It appears that it may indeed have been a barnstorming game with "George" having little or no consequence.
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Always BUYING Vintage Autographs
jim@stinsonsports.com

I was wondering the same thing regarding that orphanage! Glad you had similar thoughts and checked into that aspect. My hunch is that it may very well be penned by a black man because of that. I can't possibly see a prejudiced white man using a postcard from an orphanage that aided black children. Seems much more like something that would have been more readily available for a black person to use.

Reading further into that small article, it appears the losing Pitchers were Coffin and Sommers...

Here's the recipient of the postcard:

Wilbert Gale Thompson; turned 18 years old on Sep 15, 1914.

Edited to add father's name was Torkel William Thompson, born in 1871. His father was apparently born in Norway.

Steve

WOW! Thank you, Steve, and everyone for your input. The knowledge offered here continues to amaze me.
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Always Buying Vintage Autographs
jim@stinsonsports.com