Merkin was a American painter and illustrator who taught his craft for over 40 years at the Rhode Island School of Design. His own works reside in the Museum of Modern Art and the Smithsonian Institution. He also wrote for Vanity Fair and illustrated the book "Leagues Apart: The Men and Times of the Negro Leagues." BTW, pop culture enthusiast might find it interesting to know that Merkin appeared on the cover of the Beatles Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band album (back row, right of center).He was an avid collector of vintage Negro League photography as evidenced by his collection that has appeared at Hake's over the past couple of years.
Below is a Dodger related photograph from the Merkin collection. It is from 1954 and features the Roy Campanella All-Stars barnstoming team. As you know, many ballplayers traveled the country playing Baseball to eager fans during the winter months to earn some extra coin. Other Dodgers in the photo below include Don Newcombe, Joe Black and Jim Gilliam.
From the auction description:
Photo show(s) 12 players, 11 of which played in the Major Leagues and are wearing a MLB uniform. The only exception is Othello Renfroe who played in the Negro and Mexican Leagues and is shown here in a Toronto uniform. The others players/uniforms are: Larry Doby/Indians, Dave Hoskins/Indians, Jim Pendleton/Braves, Bob Boyd/White Sox, Don Newcombe/Dodgers, Harry Simpson/Indians, Joe Black/Dodgers, Bill Bruton/Braves, George Crowe/Braves, Roy Campanella/Dodgers, Jim Gilliam/Dodgers.
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