1899 Chicago Unions Negro League Team Calendar

Sold For:

$7,800

Year:

1899

Auction:

2018 Spring

Lot #:

2041

Category:

Pre-1900 Baseball Memorabilia

Exceedingly rare wall calendar promoting the 1899 Chicago Union Baseball Club. The display portion features portrait photos of 14 team members, all of whom are identified in print (last name only) below their respective images: Willis Jones, Robert Jackson (capt.), Harry Buckner, Robert Footes, Billy Holland, George Hopkins, Harry Hyde, Bert Jones, William Joyner, David Wyatt, William S. Peters (Mgr.), Frank Leland (secretary and treasurer), Mike Moore and "Arnett" (no record known of this player; listed as an extra). The text along the top reads "Remember - the Chicago Union Baseball Giants - Are the Greatest Drawing Colored Team in the West - And Are Home Every Sunday Afternoon." Additional text along the base notes that 1899 marks the club's 19th season and that the team has won 100 or more games in each of the past three seasons. The tear-away calendar is complete as issued, with each month of the year still firmly attached, beginning with January. The Chicago Union baseball club was one of the top Negro League teams during the late nineteenth century. In 1901, Frank Leland orchestrated a merger with the Columbia Giants, assumed the managerial reins, and renamed the team the Union Giants. In 1905 the team became officially known as the Leland Giants. It must be noted that any and all Negro League items dating from the early 1900s are rare, but those dating to the nineteenth century are practically nonexistent. This is just one of a small number of Negro League items we have seen dating from the 1800s, and the fact that it remains complete as issued is nothing short of a miracle. While we cannot say for certain how many of these calendars have survived, its fragile nature and the fact that we have never seen another, might suggest that it is unique. The calendar (11 x 13 inches), which is printed on thick paper stock, has had a new backing professionally reapplied, at which time some additional cosmetic restoration was also performed. A number of light-to-moderate creases are still evident throughout, as are a few light stains. None of these minor flaws, however, detract from is overall Excellent appearance. Reserve $500. Estimate (open).