Previously unknown image features Oscar Charleston in the only year he played for this mighty, World Champion organization. Orchestrated by the Father of Negro League Baseball, Andrew “Rube” Foster, this image came directly from Foster's family. The piece will include a Letter of Authenticity from Leland's testifying to this fact. Fabulous lineup of fifteen: Oscar Charleston, Cristobal Torriente, John Beckwith, Bingo DeMoss, and Dave Brown who was one of the greatest pitchers in Negro League history, then became a fugitive after killing a man possibly involving cocaine in 1925. They are lined up in military fashion reminiscent of the Great War in Europe that the United Sates had recently entered. It would be fitting (but sad) if they were carrying rifles. Condition as shown, some chips and creasing. The photo is slightly cut off at the right end, we would not be surprised if that is Rube Foster himself. The family might have wanted an extra shot of their man. Crystal clear contrast and measures 5.75x9.25". From the last year of the Chicago American Giants independence, they went to the "corporate giant" (no pun intended) Negro National League in 1920. This marks the end of an era, the pioneering freedom of independent black baseball in America.

Addendum: It has been brought to our attention that this photo is that of the 1921 National League Champion Chicago American Giants. That being sad, Oscar Charleston is not in this photo. The players are, from left to right: John Reese, Otis Starks, Bobby Williams, Jelly Gardner, George Dixon, Jimmie Lyons, Dave Malarcher, Cristobal Torriente, Jack Marshall, Jim Brown, Bingo DeMoss, Tom Williams, Dave Brown, Leroy Grant and Tom Johnson.