Hake's Auction: A 1955 Barnstorming Vintage Photo of the Willie Mays All-Stars

Hake's Auctions has, of late, been a depository of some incredible vintage Baseball artifacts.  Over the past couple of years they have had the honor of selling off numerous pieces from the Baseball collection of Richard Merkin- who was noted for having one of the greatest collections of Negro League related material. 

Featured below is a press photo taken by Tennessee photographer Ernest Withers of the 1955 Willie Mays All-Stars. The salaries for players from MLB clubs was not enough to cover the winter months.  So, during the off-season many players continued playing Baseball on barnstorming teams throughout North America. 

(auction link)

As you can see, these Major Leaguers wore their respective team uniforms when they played across the country with this team.  Dodger hurler Don Newcombe is on the top row, far left; and former Dodger Joe Black is directly on Newcombe's left.  Also, Dodger outfielder Jim Gilliam is on the front row, on the far left. Click on the pic above to embiggen, and go here to see this auction.

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