When Jackie Robinson first took the field for the Brooklyn Dodgers on April 15th, 1947 he instantly became the most important player in baseball history. An intensely proud and competitive man, Robinson immediately stood out on a star-studded Dodgers team, winning the inaugural Rookie of the Year award and helping the Dodgers win the National League pennant in his first season. Robinson continued to excel for the remainder of his career, winning the 1949 National League MVP Award and making the National League All-Star team in six of his 10 seasons.

Robinson played until 1956, when he retired during the offseason rather than accept a trade away from the Dodgers. Free of the constraints of organized baseball, Robinson was able to make waves in both a noted business career, becoming the first African-American vice president of a major American corporation, and as a key member of the burgeoning Civil Rights movement of the 1960s.

Offered here is a hardcover copy of Robinson’s 1960 book “Wait Till Next Year: The Story of Jackie Robinson” co-written with Carl T. Rowan. Robinson has signed this book in blue pen and inscribed “To Mrs Carlton Savage with best wishes. I am pleased to know you have read our book. I hope you enjoyed it. Sincerely Jackie Robinson”. This inscription is dated to February 9th, 1962, the same year Robinson was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Robinson’s exceptional signature has been graded a sterling MINT 9 by Beckett Authentication Services. This book comes with a LOA from Steve Grad of Beckett Authentication Services (A76128).

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