Lot # 664: 1916 Zeenut PCL Jimmy Claxton PSA GOOD 2

Graded GOOD 2 by PSA (submitted by REA). Pitcher Jimmy Claxton was immortalized on this Zeenut Candy card issued in 1916. This card is of great historical significance as it is the very first American-issued baseball card featuring a Black ballplayer. Claxton was Canadian-born and of African American and Indian descent. For a single brief week in 1916, he joined the roster of the Oakland Oaks of the Pacific Coast League but complaints by both fans and players resulted in his quick release. By chance, the week Claxton was with the Oaks was also the very week the Zeenut photographer stopped by for pictures, resulting in the issuing of this extremely rare and important card. This example has an extremely bold image, no creases, and moderate corner wear. The blank reverse is clean. A superb example of this important rarity.