1890s Page Fence Giants Trade Card

‘It’s In The Details’

Title Page Fence Giants Trade Card
Year 1890s
Size 4 1/2″ x 5 1/2″
Images Black and White
Type Trade
Number in Set
1

Page Fence Giants Trade Card Overview

Page Fence Giants Trade Card.jpgThis is a rare trade card that is the only known one to feature a Negro League team in the nineteenth Century.

The card features a team photo of the Page Fence Giants, an African American team sponsored by the Page Woven Wire Fence Company in Adrian, Michigan. The front of the card features a team picture with the names of the players. The back includes an advertisement for the Page Woven Wire Fence Company with the phrase, ‘Play Ball, Play Ball, Make Fence!’

Noteworthy is that the card featured Charlie Grant, one of the earliest African American baseball stars. Grant nearly played in the major leagues as he was discovered by manager John McGraw. Knowing he would not be accepted as a black player, he devised a plan to promote Grant as a native American. White Sox president Charles Comiskey uncovered the plan, however, and Grant was barred from playing.

Page Fence Giants Trade Card Checklist

This appears to be a standalone issue not part of a set.

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