All of the Negro Leaguers are tough . In my collection before downsizing I had a John Donaldson , the George “ Tubby “ Scales autograph used as an example in Kevin Keatong’s book on Negro League autographs , and I owned 2 Vic Harris autographs . I know of the Redding that Frank referenced . I looked for a Bud Fowler and Grant Johnson for 25 years with no success in buying one until I decided to downsize my autograph collection .
I thought I remembered a Grant “Home Run “ Johnson cabinet photo possibly signed by Johnson on the reverse in a Hunt Auctions from many years ago . I was the underbidder on the item because of the uncertainty of this signature being his signature or not and because of this I did not want to spend the money beyond $6000. It sold for $6000 .
Here’s the catalog listing and a link to the photo of the item :
February 25th and 26th, 2005
LOT #
1125
Grant "Home Run" Johnson cabinet photograph with possible self identification signature c.1895-1898. Early mounted 4"x6" image of the African American baseball pioneer posed in a studio setting. Mount is marked by Crozier studios in Findlay, Ohio (Johnson's home town), reverse has period ink notation of "Capt. and Shortstop" denoting his status with the Page Fence Giants team of the era. Next to that inscription is a period handwritten signature and address, "Grant U. Johnson 820 West St. Findlay, O." To date, there are no documented examples of a Grant Johnson autograph making signature comparison impossible. That said it is certainly very plausible that the offered photograph is in fact autographed by Johnson. Note the usage of the middle initial (appears to be "U") which is not even listed in multitudes of reference materials including period publications. Johnson was an educated man and was rumored to have attended college. Along with Bud Fowler he founded the Page Fence Giants team in 1894 and went on to become one of the greatest home run hitters in Negro League history during the deadball era. Mount has a small corner chip and a corner crease. Very rare period image which is very possibly autographed on the back by Johnson: EX ($2,000.00-$3,
https://www.huntauctions.com/imgfeb05/1125.jpg