(above) Wait Til Next Year (1960), shows a slightly rushed example, but still smooth and bold. Two signed Jackie Robinson books signed on the title page from the Brigandi Archives: By the mid-to-late 1960's that clearly had an effect on his once-beautiful signature. The overwhelming demand for it is perhaps the obvious reason, however, Jackie developed diabetes, which slowly began affecting his eyesight. As the 1960's approached and election to the Hall of Fame (1962), his autograph became a bit quicker and hurried. Most of them were signed in fountain pen ballpoint pens came later in the 1950's Jackie Robinson Signed Government Postcard, dated 1949. -$2,999.00Īn example of a request sent to him through the mail. Many times in fact he preceded it with the words "Sincerely" or 'Best Wishes" and often personalized it to the recipient.
His 1940's early-style was long in length, quite steady and not rushed. Generally his handwriting was near-perfect and certainly fully legible. Jackie's Autograph Evolves Jackie's autograph changed through the years. (above) An early Jackie Robinson signed check, dated 1948. (above) A classic example of Jackie's signature on a team issued postcard, often used for fan mail. One can only imagine how large Jackie's mailbag looked each day in front of his Ebbets Field locker. And naturally, the more popular a player, the more requests he received through the mail and from other sources. Considering half the games in a season are played on the road and not at home, that is a lot of signings required in a short period of time by each player. Over the years, former Dodger players and executives have told me the Dodger organization expected at least 5 or 6 dozen autographed team baseballs per week. Too many baseballs needed to be signed on a regular weekly basis. It must be noted these "clubhouse" signings were done for non-malicious purposes at the time and not intentionally for financial gain. Order of signatures is random as it should. (above) Authentic 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers Team Signed Ball. (above) 1956 Brooklyn Dodgers Team Signed Ball - Club House Attendant Signed Panel. Although his signatures were close matches to the real deal, one telltale sign of his work is the west panel of a team ball sporting Jackie, Campanella and Carl Erskine, in that order from top to bottom. Through baseball research we now know that a certain Dodger bat boy, now deceased (1961), signed the vast majority of these baseballs. Of course by now most serious collectors are aware that many 1940's and 1950's Brooklyn Dodger team baseballs were often signed by a "surrogate", i.e., a clubhouse attendant or bat boy instead of a particular star, such as Jackie or Roy Campanella. Seldom do I find a "ghost-signed" Jackie autograph on a flat paper item. He readily signed in public, on and off the field, and almost always signed items sent to him through the mail. Surprising to some, he actually was an accommodating signer for fans. Certainly the demand outweighs the supply. Mariano Rivera was the last player to wear #42 Naturally his autograph is in high demand and since he passed away in 1972 at such an early age, just 53 years old, the supply is quite limited. Every April 15th Major League Baseball celebrates Jackie Robinson Day with all players wearing his number 42, which is now retired from baseball.Įvery year Major League Baseball honors Jackie's #42 on April 15th He also won the 1949 Most Valuable Player Award. Oh yes, he won the Rookie of the Year Award that season too, baseball's first such award. He then proceeded to play baseball in the Negro Leagues, as well as the Dodger minor league system, eventually making his way to the Brooklyn Dodgers on Apas a 28-year old rookie. Most Valuable Player Award, 1949 (bottom right) Rookie of the Year Pin, 1947 (bottom left) Negro League, Kansas City Monarchs 1945 (top right) Honorable Military Discharge, 1944 (top left) That peaceful refusal resulted in his discharge, "honorably", from the Army. A little known story to many perhaps, is that while in military service in the mid-1940's he refused to move to the back of an Army bus, after being ordered to do so. Beyond integrating baseball in 1947- no small accomplishment indeed-he fought for racial equality during the turbulent times of the 1960's. Each of us is aware of Jackie Robinson's (1919-1972) impact on and off the diamond.