Lot # 141: 1952 JF 62a Type 1 Calbee (Matsuo) Caramel Jimmy Newberry--Negro Leagues--First Seen

Category: Baseball Cards

Starting Bid: $250.00

Bids: 7 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Auction 61: Ended 6/27/2021",
which ran from 6/9/2021 8:00 PM to
6/26/2021 11:00 PM



According to the Japanese Baseball Card Checklist & Price Guide, Vintage Edition 2.1, the JF 62a set has been given a scarcity factor of R5, meaning that five or fewer copies of this card are known. In actuality, it is the first and only known example of either the JF 62a Type 1 or Type 2 Newberry card. A similar card was previously known to exist only in the equally rare JF 62b set. The card on offer here is not only the only one known of its type, but is also a prize winning card. It contains a special manufacturer's overprint stating, "Special News: Exchange for one baseball manager or Snow White card. 20 boxes of caramel baseball or the Snow White card set can be exchanged for sports gear, a harmonica, a French doll, etc."

John Britton and Jimmy Newberry were the first two African American ex-Negro leaguers to play in Japan Pro Baseball. Both made their debuts in 1952 with the Hankyu Braves. The two players had been teammates with the Birmingham Black Barons of the Negro American League during the mid to late 1940s, and more recently had been St. Louis Browns farmhands. Bill Veeck, the Browns' owner, loaned both players to the Hankyu Braves for the 1952 season. Britton, a third baseman, performed especially well in 1952 batting .316. Newberry, a pitcher, had an 11-10, 3.22 record. Newberry returned to the U.S. after the 1952 season, while Britton played a second year in Japan. Newberry returned to the U.S. Well past his prime, he pitched four years in American Class B and Class C leagues before retiring after the 1956 season. Jimmy Newberry's story is an important chapter for both Japan Pro Baseball, and for racial progress.

Size: 1 15/32" x 2 1/16"

Condition: Fair to Good

Views: 486