Winter Auction 2015 closing February 7
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/8/2015
Putting aside the fact that he single-handedly smashed baseball's color line while facing the most vile and crude criticism the mid-century mind could conjure - Jackie Robinson also had one heck of a rookie season in 1947, leading Brooklyn to the pennant and taking home the very first Rookie of the Year Award. His hard work paid off for when spring 1948 rolled around, Robinson was the most famous baseball player in the country - black OR white. This signed piece is a testament to Jackie's popularity. Drawn up in May 1948, this 7 1/2" x 8 1/2" legal contract secures the use of the Rookie of the Year's facsimile autograph on souvenir baseballs. An interesting clause in the contract stipulates that a $25 payout will be issued if Robinson is no longer employed in the Major Leagues. Of course that clause was never invoked - Robinson went on to play 9 more seasons with Brooklyn that earned him a place in Cooperstown. Jackie passed away in 1972 at the young age of 53 so any signed pieces from this icon are rare, this one all the more desirable as it dates from just his second season in the majors. The single-sided document shows wear from storage but Robinson's blue ballpoint signature is clean and strong. Letter of Authenticity from JSA.