This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/2/2021
Jackie Robinson's impact as a member of "the great American pastime" cannot be measured with mere statistics. Robinson's success on the diamond not only paved the way for integration of the sport but served as the precursor to other landmark moments for racial equality in American history, notably the Brown vs. Board of Education case of 1954 and the 1964 Civil Rights act. When Dodgers owner Branch Rickey signed Robinson to a minor league contract in 1946, he understood that breaking an unwritten rule of segregation could only succeed if the "right man" was chosen, and potentially leave him in financial ruin if it didn't. Bypassing more accomplished Negro League stars, Rickey chose Jackie Robinson because he was a skilled player but also because he was college educated and a former officer in the United States Army who had been subjected to racial prejudice in the past. Knowing the extreme backlash that would ensue, Rickey thought Robinson had the discipline to show restraint in what would inevitably be a hostile environment, which included constant threats targeting himself and his family. Under constant pressure from spectators, opponents and even members of his own team, Jackie earned Rookie of the Year honors in 1947. A turning point in Robinson's success came when teammate and fellow Hall of Famer Pee Wee Reese stated, "You can hate a man for many reasons. Color is not one of them." Another ally in Robinson's corner was Commissioner Happy Chandler, who countered a potential league protest by declaring, "I do not care if half the league strikes. Those who do it will encounter quick retribution. All will be suspended and I don't care if it wrecks the National League for five years. This is the United States of America and one citizen has as much right to play as another." If you're an advanced autograph collector or just appreciate the magnitude of its significance in American history, you really need to consider making a run at this Jackie Robinson signed 1949 Bowman rookie card. As with many players that rise to superstardom, Robinson's signature changed over time, but the featured card was penned very early in Jackie's career, perhaps even during the 1949 season when the card was released. The crisp, bold strokes of the lettering suggest that Robinson took great care with this petite pasteboard, which is typically off center but possesses NM corners and a fresh, undisturbed image of the Dodgers legend. One of the finest known examples in existence, this piece that could easily be under glass in Cooperstown's Baseball Hall of Fame, but instead provides an incredible opportunity to acquire an absolutely pristine example of an autographed Jackie Robinson rookie card. Graded NM/MT 8 by PSA/DNA and Full LOA from JSA.