This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 3/22/2019
Often referred to as the New York Yankees of Negro League baseball, the Chicago American Giants were founded by Hall of Famer Andrew "Rube" Foster and dominated the circuit from their inception in 1911 all the way through the mid-1930s. Foster served as a pitcher, manager, and owner, founding the Negro National League in 1920 and earning the title "the father of black baseball." In the offseason, the team barmstorned northwestern American cities as well as Canada, with this significantly historic 6 3/4 x 16 1/2 panoramic photo being snapped some time during a swing through Vancouver in 1916. Foster is shown in the center sporting a three-piece suit, flanked by six members of the squad on each side. Appearing with Foster are Hall of Famers John Henry "Pop" Lloyd (third from right) who Babe Ruth once called the greatest baseball player who ever lived, and outfielder Preston "Pete" Hill (first from the left), "black baseball's first superstar" as described by author and historian William McNeil. Few original photographs of any of these three Cooperstown legends are known to exist, and the number of known examples featuring all three together can likely be counted on one hand. Other league notables in the photo are Pete Booker, Bill Francis, Jude Gans, Bill Gatewood, Leroy Grant and Bruce Petway. Remarkably well-preserved for its advanced age, the phrase "museum-quality" doesn't quite do it justice as it far outpaces, both in quality and historic significance, most subject and time period photos of any given museum; even those displayed at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. The photograph exhibits two areas of minor paper loss, on the lower left and lower right edges respectively, with a few other minor breaches of the paper that are inconsequential given the enormity of the piece. Even with these encumbrances, which are completely expected and relatively mild all things considered, the photo displays at a remarkably high level. Original Negro League photos, in any condition, are a rare find. But to find a panoramic in such outstanding condition and featuring one of the most legendary baseball teams to ever take the diamond, in any league, presents a one in a lifetime acquisition for the fortunate winning bidder. LOA from PSA/DNA.