1894 FINDLAY (OHIO) BASEBALL TEAM CABINET PHOTO WITH BUD FOWLER & GRANT "HOME RUN" JOHNSON.
Item Description
Presented here is the only known example depicting an unaffiliated baseball club from Findlay, Ohio in 1894, highlighted by the presence of two African American ballplayers, John "Bud" Fowler (middle row, far right) and Grant "Home Run" Johnson (middle row, far left). 4.25x6.5" cardboard mount with 3-7/8x5.5" albumen photo. Left margin has studio imprint of "Spuhler, Monore Mich" as well as "Ivoryette." Crystal clear image shows 10 ballplayers in full uniform surrounding manager Charles Strofel (middle row, center). The other team members are: (Back Row L-R) - Harvey Pastorius, Fred Cook, Howard Brandenburg, Bill Reedy, (Middle Row L-R) - George Darby, Bobby Woods, (Front Row L-R) - F. Schwartz, Kid Odgen.
Bud Fowler is widely recognized as being the first professional black baseball player, beginning his career in 1878 as a pitcher with the Chelsea, Mass. baseball club. Bud would follow that season with stints in the New England Association with Worcester, Eastern Massachusetts League with Malden and Northwestern League with Stillwater, Minn. Eventually, Bud became an everyday player, with second base becoming his preferred spot. Fowler would play for many more minor league teams throughout the 1880s before coming to Findlay, Ohio prior to the 1891 season. Following his stint with Findlay and the Page Fence Giants, Bud would finish his playing career with the Cuban Giants in 1898.
Grant "Home Run" Johnson was born in Findlay, Ohio so it was only natural that when Bud Fowler came to town, the local ball club marked Johnson's initial entry into professional baseball. Grant would then follow Fowler to Michigan in 1895 and star for the Page Fence Giants for the next four seasons, becoming a prodigious power hitter in the process. At the turn of the century, Johnson was stationed in Illinois, playing for both the Chicago Columbia Giants and Chicago Unions. Subsequently, Johnson would spend seasons with the Cuban X-Giants, Philadelphia Giants and Brooklyn Royal Giants. Although he is not presently a Baseball Hall of Fame enshrine, Grant is at the top of the very short list of future candidates.
Upon joining the Findlay baseball team in 1894, Bud Fowler came up with a master plan to recruit local African American ballplayers and create his own team, to be called the Findlay Colored Western Giants. His only current black teammate, Grant Johnson would provide the foundation for him to build around. Unfortunately, Bud was never able to secure the financial backing to get his endeavor off the ground and he ended up relocating to Adrian, Michigan the following season, where a wire fence company had agreed to sponsor Fowler's African American ball club. Of course, this team would go on to become the great Page Fence Giants of the late-1890s.
Mount has 1/8x1" sliver missing from top right. .75" hairline slice at top left just above the photo. Moderate age to mount. Photo itself has just lt. trace of age. All remains sharp and distinct with great clarity and contrast. Fine.
Don't pass up this opportunity to own one of the most published photos ever depicting black baseball subjects. Any original images of Bud Fowler and Grant Johnson are exceedingly rare, this is your chance to pick up both individuals on the same item. This is a truly historic piece of baseball memorabilia, and Americana in general, on multiple levels.
The Black Ball Collection.
