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Original 1927 sepia real photo postcard depicting eight African American male basketball players posed together in period athletic uniforms with a decorated championship basketball prominently displayed at center.
This photograph is strongly attributed to the 1927 Washington School basketball team of Sand Springs, Oklahoma.
The attribution is based upon multiple pieces of evidence visible in the original photograph combined with the documented history of Oklahoma African American high school basketball.
The decorated basketball at center retains lettering that appears consistent with:
Faded lettering on at least one player's jersey also appears consistent with the initials “WHS.”
Historical research identifies Sand Springs (Washington) as the 1927 Class A basketball champion of the Oklahoma Interscholastic Athletic Association, the organization governing athletic competition among Oklahoma's segregated African American schools.
Washington School in Sand Springs served the city's Black community during segregation and was subsequently known as Booker T. Washington School / Booker T. Washington High School. Contemporary Sand Springs records specifically identify Washington as the city's school for African American students.
The convergence of the “OKLA 27” championship ball, apparent WHS jersey lettering, the African American team, and the documented 1927 Sand Springs Washington basketball championship makes this a compelling attribution.
The exact identities of the eight athletes have not yet been independently confirmed, so the team identification is presented as a strong historical attribution rather than an absolute identification.
The reverse contains numerous original period pencil inscriptions and names written in several directions. One surname appears to read “Wooldridge.” Research has not yet established whether Wooldridge was a player, student, original owner, recipient, or another person associated with the postcard.
An exceptionally interesting piece of early Oklahoma sports and African American educational history from the era of segregated school athletics.
CONDITION:
Significant original age and wear.
The photographic image exhibits substantial fading and uneven exposure, surface scratching and abrasions, areas of emulsion/image loss, creasing, and edge and corner wear. Despite the deterioration, the athletes remain clearly visible and important portions of the championship ball and uniform lettering survive.
The reverse shows age toning, staining/foxing, surface wear, areas of paper loss or residue, and extensive faded and overlapping pencil inscriptions.
Please examine all photographs carefully for exact condition.
Original period real photo postcard. Not a reproduction.
A rare opportunity for collectors of African American history, Black education, Oklahoma history, early basketball, segregated school athletics, RPPC photography, and Sand Springs history.
Type: Real Photo Postcard (RPPC)
Original/Licensed Reprint: Original
Year of Production: 1927
Time Period Manufactured: 1920-1929
Subject: Basketball Team / Championship Team
Sport: Basketball
School: Washington School - Sand Springs, Oklahoma
School Attribution: Strongly Attributed
Location: Sand Springs, Oklahoma
State: Oklahoma
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Organization: Oklahoma Interscholastic Athletic Association (OIAA)
Historical Context: Segregated African American School Athletics
Theme: African American History / Black History / Sports / Education
Number of People: 8
Features: Championship Ball / WHS Lettering / Handwritten Reverse
Reverse Inscription: Multiple Pencil Names - “Wooldridge” Appears Legible
Postage Condition: No Visible Postmark
Photographer: Unknown
Era: 1920s
Condition: Heavily Worn Antique Condition - See Photos
