(LOT 1868)
1927 Tour of Japan ASAHI VS. PHILADELPHIA ROYAL GIANTS Panoramic Photo 43-1/2" x 8" with Images of Negro League Hall of Famers Biz Mackey and Andy Cooper
This panoramic photo, measuring 43-1/2" x 8", includes the Philadelphia Royal Giants and the Asahi. The Philadelphia Royal Giants visited in 1927 and then again in 1932. This photo from 1927, per the information on the lower left corner of the photo, includes images of Negro League Baseball Hall of Famers Biz Mackey and Andy Cooper. This is an extremely rare original photo, fresh to the market. The Royal Giants were not sponsored by any newspaper. They seem to have arrived through the efforts of a Japanese promoter named Irie, who is pictured in the middle of this photo. Irie must have done little publicity work.

This is by far one of the most unique, original, and rare Tour of Japan photos. As for Negro League Hall of Famer Biz Mackey, pictured in this photo, he hit the first home run in Jingu Stadium in Tokyo where the games were played. The stadium had been completed in October of 1926, and no one had hit one over the fence. Mackey did it in a game against the Fresno, California team, which happened to be here at that time. It was a semipro team, made of Japanese players who lived in Fresno. The hit flew over the fence, bounced off the grass bleacher, and disappeared beyond it. Altogether, Mackey hit three over the fences in Jingu during the 1927 tour. A true testament to Negro League history and the history of the Tour of Japan.

MIN BID $300
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