Large Cabinet Photo - Black Player

[william_9]

I would appreciate any help that anyone may be able to provide regarding this image. It's a large (10.25" x 13.75") team photo from what I think is the early 20th century. I based that supposition on the uniform style and the equipment. The image is great and the depth is amazing, which is what drew me to it. However, more importantly, seated front and center is a black player on a white team. Curious if anyone recognizes the team logo, or possibly even the player? The photo studio marking is "Altman, New Haven Conn.". Please let me know if other detail shots would help determine it's origin. Thanks.

[prewarsports]

I could be wrong, but that player looks VERY much like a black star player that Amherst had on their team from about 1899-1902, however the image looks to be slightly after that date. I will need to dig out my photo of this player for comparison tomorrow. Would make some sense because Amherst and yale (in New Haven) would play each other in Baseball, but that would not shed any light on the uniform insignia.

Rhys

[prewarsports]

Close but no cigar. I thought I had something there for you but I believe they are different players. FYI, the one for AMherst was named Gregory and he is still on their All Time All Star team 110 years later!

Rhys

[pgellis]

The letter on the uniform is a "G" if that helps anyone.

[Jacklitsch]

Cool cabinet.

It is interesting that these early teams had black ballplayers. Here's the 1902 Oberlin College team that has 3 black players:

[slidekellyslide]

Integration was not uncommon in the 1890-1910 era...it's after that where it is much more uncommon. Nebraska had black players on their football team during that era and then somewhere around 1905 teams like the U of Missouri would refuse to play if African Americans were allowed to play so like most teams (schools) they caved to this pressure....I don't believe the Huskers had another black player on the team until the 1950s.

Nearly every team in the Nebraska State League in 1892 had black players....the team was derisively called the "Coon League". Bud Fowler who appears on the Page Fence Giants photos you occasionally see played in this league for Lincoln and Kearney.

[drc]

The clarity and detail of image is as good as it gets.

[william_9]

I just looked over the insignia on the actual photo, it shares more characteristics with a gothic "C" as opposed to a "G". Though, the crossbar does suggest "G". Hard to tell. As I was reviewing the insignia, I noticed that the jersey of the fellow in full uniform has tucked in his jersey collar. The lack of a collar is what prompted me to think this is circa 1910, now I'm thinking it might be earlier. Perhaps late 1890's? The high top cleats seem indicative of an earlier era as well.

Thanks for the info guys. If anyone else has anything to add, please keep it coming.

[prewarsports]

I believe you are looking at about a 1906-1910 era photo based on the equipment and the photography style. Those full web gloves look to be similar in composition to the popular 1906 Spalding patent gloves and are a little bulkier than those of the late 1890's and right after the turn of the century. The mount style and silver gelatin photo all would indicate that era as well.

Rhys

[slidekellyslide]

My best guess is college team - the fellow at left with the striped shirt is a clue...the Gothic letter appears to be a "G" to me...I'd look for colleges or prep schools that start with the letter "G" near or in New Haven. I'd date it right around 1905.

[william_9]

Great info guys. I really appreciate it.

[Jim VB]

If (I know. Big "if") it's a "C" and not a "G", New Haven is very close, geographically, to Choate Academy, which is a large prep school in Wallingford, CT.

Choate has been around since the 1896.