1-5/8x2.25" Cuban card tobacco issue. Numbered C21-60, the baseball cards are part of a much larger set that also features boxers, actors and actresses, nudes and more. The baseball sub-set pictures mostly players from the 1923-24 Cuban Professional League. Printed on glossy paper the cards were meant to be glued into an album. Card front features head shot with text "Base Ball Mendez El Diamante Negro C-50." Distinctive black border around the image which remains sharp and clear. Card back has issuer/series information. Jose Mendez’s (1887-1928) baseball career spanned the years 1908-1926. Referred to as “The Black Diamond” (this is the only card on whcih his nickname appears), Mendez was a star Cuban pitcher who played for various Negro League teams including: The Brooklyn Royal Giants (1908), Cuban Stars (1909-1912), All Nations (1912-1917), Chicago American Giants (1918), Detroit Stars (1919) and Kansas City Monarchs (1920-1926). As a player-manager with the Kansas City Monarchs, he led the team to three consecutive pennants (1923-25). Inducted into the Hall of Fame in 2006. From the Richard Merkin Collection and comes with Hake's COA.