Silver Gelatin Photo of Integrated Men's Baseball Team Half a Century Before Jackie Robinson, late 19th Century
Original Photo
Original silver gelatin photo of integrated men's baseball team. Late 1800s. Measures 4.5 x 3.5 inches. Image shows 10 men in baseball uniforms from the late 1800s, one in a white shirt, tie and pants, presumably the coach. 8 of the men are white and 2 African American. Their bats are crossed at their feet around a tall trophy, exprsesions proud as they gaze into the camera. The African American young man in front holds a baseball while the white man beside him wears a catcher's uniform with large leather mitt extended. Their uniforms have "N" across their jerseys. The last decades of the 19th century saw widespread backlash against reconstruction efforts made in the years following the Civil War. Social uproar over attempts at integration led to new legislation maintaining segregation. Major League Baseball would not be integrated until Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, but photographs like this one prove that outliers did exist at the local level, creating a path forward toward broader social change, however narrow. Light sunning. Expressions and details from photo are clear. In very good condition.Item #18224
Price: $850.00
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