Opening Day Auction 2014
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 4/26/2014
Perhaps no man in the history of sport has had to endure more pressure or had more expectations placed upon him than Jackie Robinson. He not only broke down the race barrier in the National Pastime but helped set in motion the entire Civil Rights Movement that followed his debut with the Dodgers in 1947. It's hard to separate Jackie's on-field career from the overall picture of what he accomplished, but that is exactly what he encouraged the Hall of Fame voters to do when he came up for election in 1962. Ever the proponent of fair play and honesty, Jackie didn't want any special consideration or favoritism shown to him due to his color. Isn't that what he tried so hard and succeeded so well at doing in the first place? This signed check, originating from Jackie's beloved wife Rachel, is dated the same year, 1962, that her husband became the first Black in the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown. The Chemical Bank New York Trust Company check is dated June 24, 1962, and made out to Hertz Corp. in the amount of $14.49. Jackie has signed the check "Jack R. Robinson" in bright blue pen (10/10). The personal 2 3/4" x 6" check shows normal bank cancellation holes and stamps, none of which effects Jackie's signature. Jackie Robinson is one of the most sought after signatures in the hobby, and due to his untimely death in 1972, it remains one of the more harder to find. That this is dated the year of his historic election to The Hall and comes from his wife Rachel makes it all the more special. The check is accompanied by a signed 1993 dated Letter of Authenticity from Rachel Robinson.