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Art Pennington Materials

 Collection
Identifier: MC 2049

Scope and Content Note

This collection is comprised of five items: three photographs, measuring approximately 8 x 10 inches, and two broadsides, measuring 11 x 14 inches. The first photograph is of Art Pennington, wearing a Chicago American Giants uniform, posed with two unidentified men, the second photograph is of Pennington sliding into home plate wearing a Havana Lions (Habana Leones) uniform, and the third photograph is of an unidentified boy catching a baseball.

The two broadsides are from Pennington’s political campaigns. The first is for a Linn County sheriff race and the second is for a safety commissioner race. The second broadside displays the slogan “must stop drugs in our schools.” The photographs and broadsides bear no copyright information.

Dates

  • circa 1940-1980

Language of Materials

Materials are in English.

Access Information

Please call (479) 575-8444 or email specoll@uark.edu at least two weeks in advance of your arrival to ensure availability of the materials.

Use Information

Photographs and broadsides are fragile. Items require care in handling.

No Interlibrary Loan.

Standard Federal Copyright Laws Apply (U.S. Title 17).

Biographical Note

Arthur David Pennington, known as Art “Superman” Pennington, was born in Memphis, Tennessee on May 18, 1923. Pennington, a professional baseball player, was raised in Hot Springs, Arkansas. He began playing baseball professionally at 17 years old when he signed with the Negro American League team, the Chicago American Giants, in 1940. Pennington was a League standout; his record included a batting average of .359 in 1945, in which he finished second with 18 stolen bases; playing in the 1942 and 1950 East-West All Star Games, in the latter game Pennnington was named the All-Star MVP and had a season batting average of .370; and in his eight year career in the Negro American League, Pennington had a lifetime batting average of .336. Pennington also played in the Mexican, Cuban, and Venezuelan Leagues from 1946-1950 and, with the dissolution of the Negro American League in 1951, he played in the Minor Leagues from 1951-1959. In the Minor Leagues Pennington played in the Three-I (Illinois-Indiana-Iowa) League, posting a batting average of .345, a record which stood for over 30 years.

Art Pennington played positions primarily in the outfield or at first base. He was a versatile baseball player noted for his strong arm and was sometimes utilized as a relief pitcher. Pennington is often referred to as a less well-known, exemplary baseball player during a time of segregation and prejudice in the United States and professional baseball. After leaving baseball in 1959, Pennington worked for Rockwell Collins, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, until his retirement in 1985. He also ran for, but was not elected to, several public offices including mayor, safety commissioner, and Linn County sheriff.

Extent

.96 Linear Feet (1 box)

Arrangement of the Papers

Materials are arranged by format and topic.

Acquisition Information

The Art Pennington Materials were purchased by Special Collections, University of Arkansas Libraries, on September 26, 2013.

Processing Information

Processed by Lilly Carrel; completed December 2015.

Title
Art Pennington Materials
Status
Completed
Author
Lilly Carrel
Date
2015
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is written in English.

Repository Details

Part of the Special Collections Department Repository

Contact:
University of Arkansas Libraries
365 N. McIlroy Avenue
Fayetteville AR 72701 United States
(479) 575-8444