GEORGE KELLY 1922 BASEBALL TOUR OF JAPAN CONTRACT W/FOUR VINTAGE PHOTOS.
Item Description
Five items. 10x15" specially printed contract with bank note design between "Herbert H. Hunter Of Highland, N.J. Here And After Designated First Party And George L. Kelly Of New York National Baseball Club Here And After Designated As Second Party Is Desirous Of Organizing A Ball Club To Be Taken By Him And Under His Supervision To Japan, Korea, Manchuria, China, The Philippine And Hawaiian Islands, And Such Other Places As He Shall Determine, Between The 12th Of October 1922 And The Latter Part Of January, 1923. Said Team Is To Play Not More Than 21 Games, 16 Of Which Are Scheduled Games, And All Under The Management And Direction Of First Party". Front has typewritten text on first party line "George L. Kelly New York National Baseball Club", reverse side is signed in ink "Herbert H. Hunter" with ink date of June 17. Contract is wrinkled and has several folds with some lt. dust soil. VG. Comes with four glossy vintage photos, ranging in size from 7.5x9.5" to 8x10.75". First two photos show players in uniforms wearing "US" sweaters on ship deck of "Empress of Canada/London". First photo shows well-dressed men in suits nearby with baseball equipment in foreground on ship deck and second photo shows players with their wives including one holding young child. First photo has names of players and others listed on back in George Kelly's own handwriting. Includes: George Kelly, Herb Pennock, Joe Bush, Bert Griffith, Riggs Stephenson, Buck O'Neil, Waite Hoyt, umpire George Monetz, Doc Laran, Herb Hunter, Bit Falk, Irish Meusel, Casey Stengel, Fred Hoffman, Luke Sewell, Amos Strunk. Third photo shows players in uniform with two holding bats along with delegation on steps of "Oriental Hotel". Fourth photo shows players with wives and children enjoying meal with their Japanese hosts. Second ship board photo is yellowed with age with a few lt. handling creases, VG. Other photos have a few lt. handling creases but are overall Fine/VF. Herb Hunter was a utility outfielder who played parts of four seasons between 1916 and 1921 for teams including New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, and Boston Red Sox. His last big league appearance was in 1921 with the St. Louis Cardinals. He organized the first barnstorming tour of Japan in 1920 and these items relate to his second tour. An historic lot from the George Kelly Estate. See next item #1317. From the Richard Merkin Collection and comes with Hake's COA.