Irvin Woodberry “Chester” Brooks was a capable pitcher and infielder for both the Brooklyn Royal Giants and Atlantic City Bacharach Giants of the negro leagues. Brooks' career spanned sixteen years from 1918-1933 and was a lifetime .300 hitter. His obituary states, "If there had been no racial barrier, Brooks would have been in the big leagues years before Jackie Robinson." The terms of this dated February, 20, 1929 artifact is typed over two pages and guarantees the player a handsome sum of $175 per month. This one-of-a-kind legal document features normal compacting folds and is further staple-bound to a light blue Brooklyn Royal Giants outer cover with overall dimensions of 14-1/4 x 9”. The outer cover identifying the year, first and back pages are inscribed by Brooks (d.1966) with a black-steel fountain pen. Each carefully placed script grades in the (“8-9”) range or better. The location of Brooks' Washington Heights apartment is notated beneath his endorsement. Additionally, the date and salary are placed in an unknown hand. With exception to moderately rusted staples and incidental peripheral and interior wear due to storing methods, this 86 year-old artifact still presents remarkably well and is a welcome addition to any advanced negro league gathering. Full photo LOA from PSA/DNA.
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