This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 12/13/2024
This 1947 Jackie Robinson Bond Bread Advertising Poster Proof stands as an early draft of the iconic 1947-48 Bond Bread poster, making it even rarer and more unique. Serving as a preliminary sketch, this proof was intended to promote Bond Bread by showcasing Robinson as not only a trailblazing athlete but also a cultural icon representing resilience, courage, and the defiance of racial barriers. The poster proof features a variety of hand-drawn sketches of Robinson in action, focusing more on his athletic prowess. It captures him in Dodgers uniform, hitting home runs, stealing bases, and making double plays—celebrating his on-field excellence. Additional design elements include early renderings of the Bond Bread logo, images of the bread itself, a comic woman promoting the product in comic-book style, and even a portrait of Robinson taking a bite out of Bond Bread. Initially distributed exclusively in Black neighborhoods in very limited quantities, this early proof not only adds to the original poster’s scarcity but amplifies its historical importance. As one of the first national ad campaigns to feature an African American athlete, it marked a crucial milestone in both sports and civil rights history. For collectors, the Jackie Robinson Bond Bread Advertising Poster Proof is much more than memorabilia; it represents Robinson’s enduring legacy and a pivotal moment of social progress. The inside dimensions of this poster are 14"x18" framed to 20"x24".