Impressive large 1927 cabinet photograph of pre-game warm-ups in the Cuban Winter League with players from the Cuba Baseball Club and perhaps the Havana club preparing for a game. It appears as though the figure of Hall of Famer Cristobal Torriente is batting with his famous stance that included powerful legs, a wide stance, and his unmistakable profile which is luckily tilted toward the camera for a better look at his unique face. The star of this image however is the lefty warming up and taking center position in the photograph, Hall of Famer Willie Foster. This is a well researched and well documented original photograph which (along with about 13 others from the same photographer and all with the same cabinet backing) were discovered not long ago. The ballpark was in Guines and the photo was the subject of a 2017 article written by Mark Rucker where visited the site and posted a picture of this exact image identifying it as Foster. There is also a team photograph known to exist on the same mount of the team with Foster in uniform as well. This is one of the only known original images of Foster pitching in the world and it is the only example of this photograph. A fine condition original cabinet photograph with a few minor spots of chipping and some light foxing from being in a wet climate, but overall it is quite nice. One of the most important images of an early Negro League Hall of Famer (Foster) that exists and with the possibility of more as both Oscar Charleston and Judy Johnson played on the team with Foster (there are several others pictured) and what certainly appears to be Cristobal Torriente at bat.

Size: 8x10
Designation: Vintage 1
Condition: 4/5
Quality: 4.5/5
Overall Grade: 8.5/10