This item was originally sold at a
Hunt auction ten years ago:
Scarce W.W. "Billy" Donaldson autographed photograph c.1927. Original 3 1/2" x 5" sepia tone image picturing noted Negro National League umpire "Billy" Donaldson. Signed across the front, "J.C. Robinson from W.W. Billy Donaldson Umpire N.N.L. 11/25/27". Blue fountain pen salutation and signature rate 7 out of 10. Light inscription on bottom margin "Best Wishes to Sgt" appear to be in another hand. The image itself pictures Donaldson in full umpire gear with fine contrast having some surface cracking and creasing that does intersect with the signature. Donaldson was a well regarded umpire for nearly 15 years in both within the first and second incarnations of Negro National League. The offered signed image is the first of its type that we have encountered and almost certainly one of a scant few, if any, existing specimens. Includes auction LOA from JSA: Photo: GD-VG, Signature: EX
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 15% to $1700 delivered. Email or PM if interested.
