(SPORTS BASEBALL) Frank Ellis A hotel proprietor arranges a

Sale 2697 - Lot 378

Price Realized: $ 938

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Estimate: $ 600 - $ 900

(SPORTS--BASEBALL.) Frank Ellis. A hotel proprietor arranges accommodations for the Indianapolis Clowns on a barnstorming visit. Typed Letter to "Manager, The Indianapolis Clowns" in Tarrytown, NY. One page, 11 x 8½ inches, on "The Ellis Hotel" letterhead, with pre-printed signature; no folds, three small green smudges. Pittsburgh, PA, 7 August 1951

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This letter was written four years after Jackie Robinson left the Negro Leagues for the Brooklyn Dodgers, followed by the defection of most of the other great Negro League stars. The Indianapolis Clowns, long one of the top clubs in the segregated Negro Leagues, were by this point doing barnstorming exhibition tours across the country, mixing comedy routines with their athletic prowess. They had booked a Sunday 26 August 1951 doubleheader against the Kansas City Monarchs at Pittsburgh's Forbes Field. Needing a place to stay, they reached out to the Ellis Hotel, Pittsburgh's leading Black hotel (see lot 83, from a different consignor). Apparently, their plan was to pull in with their bus at 5:00 a.m., sleep for a few hours, and then play their 18 innings. Here, the owner of the Ellis writes:

"In answer to your inquiry of August 5th, we are reserving 11 rooms for 8 o'clock Sunday morning to accommodate twenty-two men at the two-dollar rate as requested. Regret very much that the time specified between five and seven in the morning will not be available. Looking foreward with pleasure to serving you."