This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 6/1/2017
Rare and Historic Signed 8” x 10” Photo from Robinson’s First Team in Professional Baseball!This impressive 8” x 10” photo features Jackie Robinson in black-and-white with a blazing blue steel tip pen signature. Robinson has signed, "To Bill Curtis, best wishes, Jackie Robinson". One of the rarest and most collectible forms of Robinson images, this particular photo features Jackie in uniform with the Montreal Royals—a AAA affiliate for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the International League.
While Robinson is best remembered for his 1947 debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, Robinson actually made history by breaking the color lines with Montreal in 1946. Upon signing Robinson, Dodger GM Branch Rickey wanted to make certain that Robinson could withstand the racial angst directed at him before introducing him to the Major Leagues. As a result, Robinson was assigned to Montreal, where he showcased the courage to stand up to race-fueled disdain while leading the International League with a .349 average and eventually becoming the league’s Most Valuable Player.
Jackie Robinson signed photos of any form are scarce, but photos from this pivotal and historical time in Robinson’s career are the utmost rarity! We should point out that the back of this photo displays heavy water staining, however none of it transfers to the front, which is in NM condition minus a few very light wrinkles. Accompanied by a full Letter of Authenticity from PSA/DNA.