Lot # 955: 1927 Nashville Elite Giants (Negro League Dixie Champions) Original Photograph with Tom Wilson

Original photograph of the 1927 Nashville Elite Giants, an independent baseball team competing in the Negro Southern League under owner Thomas T. Wilson. They finished near the top of the league standings that season and were considered one of the more competitive southern clubs of the era. The team would later relocate and eventually become the Baltimore Elite Giants, one of the more prominent franchises in Negro League history. The offered photograph captures eighteen individuals posed on the field for a team photograph with a large number of fans seated behind them in the grandstands. Thirteen of the individuals are depicted in Nashville uniforms, while Wilson is seated in the front row middle. The team name and year is written in the top left corner, with "Thos. T. Wilson" in the center, and unintelligible pencil writing in the top corner. Faint markings at the bottom edge of the image reads "Dixie Series Winners." Measuring 9.75 x 7.75 inches, the photographs displays outstanding clarity and detail but also a number of condition flaws, including spotting and toning throughout, chipping at the edges, and light creasing. It has been mounted to a backing for support, which has also prevented PSA/DNA from rendering an official type designation, consistent with their policies. This photograph does originate from the same collection as other Negro League photographs offered in this auction, each of which was reviewed and evaluated as Type I by PSA/DNA. This is an outstanding photograph capturing this significant Negro League team!