NOTE: The heading for this lot has been changes and differs from the printed catalog.

Though widely considered to be one of the best power hitters in baseball history Josh Gibson was never allowed to play in Major League Baseball as racial segregation excluded African-Americans from playing in the leagues during his lifetime. He won 12 home run titles not counting the winter leagues and also led his leagues in batting average doubles triples RBI and slugging. Runs scored and walk data are limited but it is highly probable he also led in these categories. There exists debate as to the records held by African American White and Hispanic players of that era due to the fact that neither played with each other although in the off-seasons they frequently played against each other.

For several seasons Gibson also regularly lit up the Winter Leagues of Puerto Rico and Cuba.  In the 1936/1937 he hit .344 in winter league play in Cuba and in 1938 he helped lead Santa Clara to the Cuban Winter League title by batting .356 and slugging .638. He set a CWL record that year with 11 homers in 163 AB a mark that would not be broken until the schedule would be significantly expanded.  Presented here is an outstanding 8 ½” by 13 ½” photo of an all-star/barnstorming unit of Negro Leaguers that is believed to have played mostly in Puerto Rico during the winter of 1934 as well as in Cuba. Several prominent stars are pictured including Josh Gibson (top row second from right) as well as Dick Seay (front row far left) and Rap Dixon (back row far right next to Gibson). The black uniforms of the players are adorned circular patches featuring what appears to be crossed American and Cuban flags.  This image shows decent contrast and clarity with the visible area of the matted photo showing a large vertical crease at center and smaller creases visible at the corners.  This is an extremely rare image as we can find no other photographic representation of this team or individuals wearing uniforms of this type. Framed to overall dimensions of 18” by 13”.