On the final day of the 2021 National Sports Collectors Convention, we met with a gentleman who presented us with the most curious of collections: a grouping of memorabilia originating from the estate of Richard Felton. Felton was a Pennsylvania businessman who resurrected the Harrisburg Giants of the Eastern Negro League in 1953, hiring former Giants manager Spottswood Poles to lead the team. By 1954, integration of major league baseball had begun to create financial and roster problems within the Negro Leagues, and resulted in the integration of the Harrisburg Giants, the first team in the Eastern Negro League to include white players. The 1954 Harrisburg Giants won the league championship, an excellent team documented in a tremendous short film called There Were Giants, researched and directed by Scott Orris.
Presented here is the championship trophy presented to Richard Felton, commemorating the 1954 Harrisburg Giants - the first integrated team in the Eastern Negro League. Measuring approximately 17" in height, the piece is constructed of a resin or celluloid base, telescoping northward to a cylindrical metal piece, atop which rests a figural ballplayer. An engraved baseplate reads "Dr. Wm. E "Bud" Marshall Memorial Trophy Winner, 1954 Harrisburg Giants."
In inspecting the trophy, we feel it is likely that the figural piece at the top has been replaced over the years, the original likely damaged with time. A long bolt extends from underneath the base through the top, securing the figural piece in place, and providing for easy replacement. The rest of the trophy is likely original. After consulting with Scott Orris, the director of the film, there appear to be no known photos of the original trophy. Regardless, this is an significant piece, commemorating the championship of a historically important Negro League team, the first team in the Eastern Negro League to integrate.
As a side note, we sincerely recommend viewing Orris' film, just shy of 18 minutes long, which can be viewed online for free at https://vimeo.com/386357211.