Vintage Negro League Autographs

[Chris-Counts]

I have an old Pirates batting helmet, which I was told by the seller once belonged to Lino Donoso. I was intrigued by his story, including the anecdote that the famous scout Howie Hack signed him to a contract in a Mexican brothel. While I am always wary of player attributions, that led me on a quest to find his autograph. I googled the topic, and learned from a Net54 thread that's his signature is one of the toughest from the past WWII era. I settled for a baseball signed by the Hollywod Stars.

[jimq16415]

Sam Jethroe had a tryout with Boston in 1945 with Jackie. They never heard from the Red Sox again. AL Rookie of the year in 1950. Had a restaurant locally after he retired, plenty of stories to tell.

[jerseygary]

Here's Negro Leaguer and Hall of Famer Willard Brown on a 1953 Dallas Eagles team ball:

dallas_53_2.jpg

[Scott Garner]

Originally Posted by jerseygary

Here's Negro Leaguer and Hall of Famer Willard Brown on a 1953 Dallas Eagles team ball:

Attachment 549051

Directly above Willard Brown is Red Murff, which was the scout that signed HOF Nolan Ryan!

[Exhibitman]

[jimq16415]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

I have an old Pirates batting helmet, which I was told by the seller once belonged to Lino Donoso. I was intrigued by his story, including the anecdote that the famous scout Howie Hack signed him to a contract in a Mexican brothel. While I am always wary of player attributions, that led me on a quest to find his autograph. I googled the topic, and learned from a Net54 thread that's his signature is one of the toughest from the past WWII era. I settled for a baseball signed by the Hollywod Stars.

Did you ever Google Jack Lohrke?(3rd down on the ball) He had an amazing run of good luck!

[Schlesinj]

1980 Reunion Ball w Effa Manley1980 Negro League Reunion Ball Manley, O'Neill +.jpg

1932 Philadelphia Royal Giants front.jpg
1932 Philadelphia Royal Giants w Mackey and Cooper.

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by Schlesinj

1980 Reunion Ball w Effa ManleyAttachment 549842

Attachment 549843
1932 Philadelphia Royal Giants w Mackey and Cooper.

These are remarkable! That photo is amazing! Are any of those signatures, or was it written in by someone else.

[Schlesinj]

https://www.net54baseball.com/showth...ht=Andy+cooper

Interesting thread about Cooper and the origins of the photo.

For what it’s worth the photo has been with PSA since I dropped it off at the National. I spoke to PSA today and I am hoping to have it back in a week. It was being reviewed by both Henry and the autograph team. Based on the Sothersby auction is was previously authenticated.

[tazdmb]

Originally Posted by Schlesinj

https://www.net54baseball.com/showth...ht=Andy+cooper

Interesting thread about Cooper and the origins of the photo.

For what it’s worth the photo has been with PSA since I dropped it off at the National. I spoke to PSA today and I am hoping to have it back in a week. It was being reviewed by both Henry and the autograph team. Based on the Sothersby auction is was previously authenticated.

At one time Keating was selling the Cooper from the collection himself, would be shocker if he failed yours.

[Schlesinj]

Originally Posted by tazdmb

At one time Keating was selling the Cooper from the collection himself, would be shocker if he failed yours.

Interesting, I did not know he was the person authenticating. Good to know.

[Schlesinj]

Originally Posted by Topnotchsy

These are remarkable! That photo is amazing! Are any of those signatures, or was it written in by someone else.

I finally just heard from PSA today (spoke to someone for
NJ) that they in fact have authenticated the photo and deemed it type 1 (which I expected). They also informed me that my estimated value is 10x higher than what I wrote down, so there is that.

This was my first ever submission to PSA, so really was not sure what I was expecting. Should have the photo back next week and can’t wait to see it again.

[tazdmb]

Originally Posted by Schlesinj

I finally just heard from PSA today (spoke to someone for
NJ) that they in fact have authenticated the photo and deemed it type 1 (which I expected). They also informed me that my estimated value is 10x higher than what I wrote down, so there is that.

This was my first ever submission to PSA, so really was not sure what I was expecting. Should have the photo back next week and can’t wait to see it again.

Congrats! Never a doubt on its authenticity and I am sure it made its way up to Kevin for authentication.

[Schlesinj]

Originally Posted by tazdmb

Congrats! Never a doubt on its authenticity and I am sure it made its way up to Kevin for authentication.

Pure coincidence but I was listening to a baseball podcast called the Outsider Baseball Notebook by Adam Darowski who has been doing tons of research on Negro leaguers and other non MLB greats. He had an author on that wrote about the Philadelphia Royal Giants, “The Gentle Black Giants” co-written by Bill Staples Jr. I reached out to him on Twitter and also bought the book. He had a chapter on the 1932 team and specifically discussed the photo collection. I, of course, bought the book and can’t wait to read it.

1932 Philadelphia Royal Giants Slab front.JPG

Gentle Black Giants.JPG

Gentle Black Giants Photo History.JPG

Philadelphia Royal Giants Team List.JPG

Philadelphia Royal Giants Tour Map.JPG

[Topnotchsy]

Originally Posted by Schlesinj

I finally just heard from PSA today (spoke to someone for
NJ) that they in fact have authenticated the photo and deemed it type 1 (which I expected). They also informed me that my estimated value is 10x higher than what I wrote down, so there is that.

This was my first ever submission to PSA, so really was not sure what I was expecting. Should have the photo back next week and can’t wait to see it again.

That is fantastic! What a great photo!

[tlwise12]

Rough, but never seen another. Mailed directly from henderson.