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Rare Tin Type of Two African American Ball Players

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Rare Tin Type of Two African American Ball Players Circa 1870's
Some baseball historians have wrongly reported that African Americans first played baseball at the advent of the organized Negro Leagues in the early part of the twentieth century. However we now know that African Americans have been playing baseball in our country for as long as whites. More recent research reveals that black "clubs" mushroomed throughout the towns and cities of this nation from the Civil War era in the mid nineteenth century on. This scarce and historic tin type provides the evidence, showing two uniformed black ball players both wearing long stockings and carrying pocket watches. Some spotting and minimal scratching appear on the surface of the tintype, however, the image has great clarity. The tin type rests within a period brass mat and the case, unconnected, appears to be made of leather. The tin type itself measures 3 1/8" by 3 1/2". Any baseball related tin type today is highly sought after, however, one featuring not one but two black ball players is a true rarity.

Property Of: Property from the Collection of Allan Schwartz

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