Negro League umpire W.W. "Billy" Donaldson autographed photograph c.1927. Signed across the front, "J.C. Robinson from W.W. Billy Donaldson Umpire N.N.L. 11/25/27". Inscription on bottom margin "Best Wishes to Sgt" appear to be in another hand.
From Baseballreference.com:
W.W. (Billy) Donaldson was among the first Negro umpires hired by Negro National League president Rube Foster when the NNL first switched from contracting with local white umpires to a having salaried staff of primarily black umpires. He remained a respected umpire in the NNL, even after the league reverted to local contracts. He umpired in the Negro American League into the 1940s, mostly working games in Kansas City, MO in his latter years. He umpired a few East-West Games in the 1930s as well as a few Colored World Series games in the 1920s and 1940s.
I had this item slabbed by SGC in order to keep it protected. Price reduced to $2000 delivered. Email or PM if interested.
