Proving that the National Sports Collectors Convention can be as much about education as it is about buying, selling and trading sports cards and collectibles, a centennial celebration of the Negro Leagues launched at The National, thanks to the hard work of Seattle’s Jay Caldwell.
Caldwell is a collector who has a passion for preserving the history of the Negro Leagues. At the National, he was offering a variety of commissioned artwork, bobbleheads and other items with profits designated for the Negro League Baseball Museum in Kansas City. They’ll be used to advance educational and conservation missions to preserve the legacy of the Negro League players. Additional royalties will be paid to the players’ estates for securing the rights to use of their likenesses in the products.
The rich history of the Negro Leagues is without question. Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Gus Greenlee and eventually the likes of Hank Aaron, Buck O’Neil and Minnie Minoso were just a few of the alumni.
“These products are meant to bring attention to the Negro Leagues and their players,” Caldwell said.
There will be two large exhibits in 2020 commemorating the 100-year anniversary of the founding of the Negro Leagues.
“Our mission remains the same,” Caldwell stated. “To celebrate the Centennial of the founding of the Negro National League on February 13, 1920 at the Paseo YMCA in Kansas City. The Negro League Baseball Museum (www.nlbm.com) selected us to stage an art and memorabilia show at the NLBM between February 1 – May 31, 2020. The exhibit will feature 320 pieces of original art depicting African-American, Cuban and other players who participated in black baseball from 1867 – 1955 as well as over 80 pieces of Negro League memorabilia including the earliest pieces known relating to African-American baseball dating back to the 19th century.”
The first exhibit of Negro League art will be at the museum, running from February 13, 2020 to May 31, 2020.
The exhibit will then move to Milwaukee and the National Bobblehead Hall of Fame and Museum, August 15, 2020 to February 15, 2021.
Caldwell’s fundraising products are also available on the Negro Leagues history website.
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