8x10” glossy silver gelatin photograph. Great team image highlighted by the inclusion of two very prominent figures in black baseball history, Jimmy Claxton and Luis Tiant Sr. In addition, two other important US Negro League stars of the day are also present here, Terris McDuffie and Lazaro Salazar. In total, 14 team members of this 1932 “Cuban House of David” team, as they were also referred to, are pictured in full uniform and posed on a ballfield. Player names are printed above/below their images, team name and date printed on right margin. Claxton grew up in the state of Washington, beginning his career playing for a local town ball team in Roslyn as a catcher before converting to pitching a couple of years later. At age 18, he struck out a state record 18 batters in one game while playing for a Chester, Washington ball club. By 1916, Claxton made his way to Oakland, CA, playing for an all-black team there and drawing the attention of the Pacific Coast League’s Oakland Oaks. On May 28, 1916, Claxton broke the professional baseball color line when he pitched two games for the Oaks during a double header w/a combined total of 2-1/3 innings pitched. It was discovered shortly thereafter that Jimmy was partially of African American descent and was immediately released by the Oaks. It would be decades before another black ballplayer would enter professional baseball in the US. With his appearance on a rare 1916 Zeenut PCL card, Claxton became the first African American player of the 20th Century to appear on a US professional baseball card, pre-dating Jackie Robinson by 30 years. One of these sold at auction most recently in May, 2024 for over $12K.”  Luis Tiant Sr. was a star pitcher for the Cuban Stars (West) of the U.S. Negro Leagues from 1930-32 before joining the New York Cubans ball club, where Luis would remain throughout the remainder of the 1930s and 1940s. He most famously led his New York Cubans to the 1947 Negro League championship. Salazar was a Cuban professional baseball outfielder, first baseman, pitcher, and manager in the Negro Leagues, Mexican League and the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. He played for 21 non-consecutive seasons from 1924 to 1952. He is a member of the Cuban Baseball, Mexican Professional Baseball and Venezuelan Baseball Halls of Fame. Back has handwritten inscription by him to his mother that includes “A Gift From Your Unforgettable Son Who Loves You” and is signed by him, also adding team name and 1932 date. Also written on the front in his hand is team name at bottom of team and date added to the right of his image. Lower right has stamped photographer’s text “Cloud Studio Birmingham Ala.” Obvious aging and wear including some long creases, few margin tears and some tiny holes, mostly at bottom, some really only seen when held to light. Image remains distinct. A truly unique photo. Richard Merkin Collection.