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Lot Number: 816
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Lot 816
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| Description: Scarce 1896-97 Page Fence Giants African American baseball team advertising trade card. One of only a handful of surviving copies picturing the 19th century African American baseball team sponsored by the Page Woven Fence Co. of Adrian, Michigan. Originally led by Bud Fowler (first African American professional baseball player) and Grant Johnson, the team managed to eclipse the 100 win mark in several seasons during its brief, four year existence. Player names are printed in the bottom margin including Geo. Taylor, Geo. Wilson, Grant Johnson, Joe Miller, Bill Holland, A.S Parson (mgr.), Pete Burns, Fred Van Dyke, Wm. Binga, Vasco Graham, and Chas. Grant. Grant was especially notable in that Balt. Orioles player/manager John McGraw noticed both GrantÆs skills and his light colored skin. McGraw attempted to pass Grant off as of Native American heritage and sign him with the Orioles. After being alerted to McGraw's trickery, Charles Comiskey exposed the scheme and Grant never did play for the Orioles. The card itself remains very clean with excellent image contrast and fairly clean borders. The card front has a line crease at the right border area. Back of the card has a period advertisement for the "Page Woven Fence Co.". 3 1/2"x4 1/2". Very rare card is one of the highest condition grade exemplars to enter the marketplace: SGC 40 VG |
| Estimated Price: ($5,000.00-$7,500.00) |
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