This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/5/2007
NOTE: Lot description has been changed. It should be noted that Louis Santop, who is featured in this original photograph along with Judy Johnson and others, was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006. The powerful slugger was batted over .400 for multiple seasons and was the starting catcher for the Hilldale Club when they won three straight Eastern Colored League Pennants from 1923 to 1925. Any original photo featuring Santop is extremely scarce.
In the early 1920's, the Hilldale (PA) club was one of the Negro Leagues powerhouse teams. They tied the Atlantic City Bachrach Giants for the Eastern Championship in 1921. This original 1921 team photograph features an early image of Hall of Fame shortstop and third baseman William J. “Judy” Johnson (standing third from the right) in his first year with the club. In addition, fellow recent Hall of Fame inductee, catcher Louis Santop, appears standing at far right. Other players pictured include: Toussaint Allen (standing second from left), Chaney White (standing fourth from right), Jake Stephens (kneeling, secondfrom left), Brodie Francis (kneeling middle), Bunny Downs (kneeling third from right), Otto Briggs (kneeling second from right) and Pub Flournoy (kneeling far right). The photograph presents well in spite of minor wear and toning to the edges. Two of the corners are chipped while the other two are worn. There is a slight stain towards the bottom left of the photo. The photo appears to have been taken out of an album; therefore the back shows glue stains and residue from the album page.
Estimate: $2,000-4,000