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Lot # 8: 1920 Bill Francis, "Black Baseball Pioneer and Manager of the Hilldale Daises" Unique Photo

Starting Bid: $25.00

Bids: 31 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Holiday Collectors Auction 2022",
which ran from 12/2/2022 8:00 PM to
12/17/2022 8:00 PM



Bill Francis is one of the true pioneers of black baseball in America. He started his playing career in the 19th century and was part of some of the biggest and best teams of the deadball and WWI era before becoming the manager of the Hilldale Daisies of the first ever Negro Leagues. Here, he argues with a white player and white umpire at the height of Jim Crow during a game with a team in Parkesburg, Pennsylvania. Francis was short, only 5' 5", which can clearly be seen here, but he was one of the fastest early player in the league and he certainly would have been a star in the fast deadball era had he been allowed to play in the major leagues. To the best of our knowledge, this is the only image of Francis outside of a few team pictures that exists and it is a unique new discovery that is being offered here for the first time ever. Condition and quality make this gem a perfect 10/10!

Size: 4.5x6.5
Designation: Vintage 1
Condition: 5/5
Quality: 5/5
Overall Grade: 10/10

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