Card Statistics
Satchel Paige is presented in Helmar’s T3 series with the Pittsburgh Crawfords at the top of his windup, both hands raised behind his head as he prepares to deliver. The pose gives the figure a strong vertical presence, with Paige standing squarely against the green field and deep blue sky. His pale pinstriped uniform, red stockings, and bold “PITTSBURGH” lettering make the card immediately recognizable, while the simplicity of the setting gives full attention to one of the most famous pitchers in baseball history.
The original artwork was painted by Natalia Valiukavich in watercolor. Fine vertical striping runs through the light uniform, while cream and gray washes provide modeling through the torso and trousers. The red cap trim, lettering, and stockings give the composition its strongest accents, and the dark belt and shoes help anchor the figure. The raised glove and arms create a clear visual peak against the open sky, giving the painting a formal quality that works especially well within the large T3 format.
Leroy “Satchel” Paige became one of the greatest attractions and most accomplished pitchers in Black baseball. During the 1930s he starred for the Pittsburgh Crawfords, one of the most talent-rich clubs in Negro League history, pitching alongside and against many of the era’s greatest players. Paige later became a central figure with the Kansas City Monarchs and remained a major drawing card through years of league play and barnstorming. In 1948, at age 42, he joined Cleveland and helped the club win the American League pennant and World Series, becoming the first Black pitcher to appear in a World Series. Paige was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971, the first player selected by the Committee on Negro Baseball Leagues. (Baseball Hall of Fame)
Numbered #51, the Paige card is one of the major Negro League centerpieces of the T3 checklist. His Pittsburgh Crawfords identification connects him directly with one of Black baseball’s greatest teams, and it gives collectors a natural companion to other Crawfords subjects as that portion of the series develops. Paige’s extraordinary fame also makes the card a broader target for Hall of Fame, pitching, and baseball-history collectors rather than simply a team-set piece. (Helmar Brewing Co.)
Produced in Helmar’s distinctive handcrafted tradition, the card combines original watercolor artwork, one of baseball’s legendary pitchers, and a deliberately vintage presentation inspired by the grand-format baseball cards of the tobacco era.
Original watercolor artwork by Natalia Valiukavich.
- Description: Top of posed windup
- Team: Pittsburgh Crawfords
- Population (# Sold): 19
- First Date Sold: 2020-04-28
- Latest Date Sold: 2024-08-28
- Card Status: Retired
- # Sold in past year: N/A
- Highest Auction: $ 170.00
- Average Auction Result: $ 83.64
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Visit these teammates on the Pittsburgh Crawfords in the T3-Helmar series
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