Hall of Fame executive J.L. Wilkinson comes into view, with this 1910 Hopkins Bros. Champion Lady Baseball Club team photo postcard. A pioneer of Negro League play, the founder of the Kansas City Monarchs took his earliest teams on barnstorming tours, that were as much theater, as they were sport. In 1912, "Wilkie" established the All Nations team, which fielded a multi-racial lineup of white, black, Asian, Native American, and Polynesian players, while also suiting up a woman at one point.



Seen in this unused real photo postcard, is Wilkinson's first team, the Champion Ladies Baseball Club, which he founded in 1909. Sponsored by the Iowa based sporting goods company Hopkins Brothers, this team of "Ladies" walked on the wild side, as several of the pictured players are clearly men. Wilkinson is seen at center of the top row, wearing a suit and a wide-brimmed hat. Condition is Fr, due to multiple creases, however the postcard retains ample appeal for display purposes.

Opening Bid $100.