Lot # 179: Historically Significant March 12, 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers vs. Boston Braves PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Photo incl, Jackie Robinson, George Crowe, Joe Black, Sam Jethroe, Roy Campanella & Bill Bruton– Measures Approx. 7" x 9" (Includes PSA Type 1 LOA)

Category: Photos

Starting Bid: $300.00

Bids: 5 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "20th Anniversary Auction",
which ran from 9/18/2020 4:30 PM to
10/10/2020 7:00 PM




(LOT 179)
Historically Significant March 12, 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers vs. Boston Braves PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Photo incl, Jackie Robinson, George Crowe, Joe Black, Sam Jethroe, Roy Campanella & Bill Bruton– Measures Approx. 7" x 9" (Includes PSA Type 1 LOA)

This historically significant image portraying six renowned African American ballplayers was taken on March 12, 1953 before a Miami, Florida spring training game between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves. From left to right, it includes the iconic Jackie Robinson, George Crowe, Joe Black, Sam Jethroe, legendary Hall of Fame backstop Roy Campanella and Bill Bruton. In a previous auction, this PSA Type 1 photo had been inadvertently advertised as being taken in March, 1952; however, accurate research has now dated it to March 12, 1953 (a full year later). Its unquestionable spring training 1953 origin is due to the fact that Bill Bruton played his inaugural and/or rookie season in 1953 with the Milwaukee Braves, even though he is wearing a "Boston" cap in the illustration along with the two other Braves players as well (Crowe & Jethroe).

So how is this possible? Remarkably, this classic image was actually taken only a single day before the Boston Braves were officially relocated to Milwaukee! Indeed, on March 13, 1953, Boston Braves owner Lou Perini announced that due to dwindling attendance, he was relocating his Boston Braves from "Braves Field" to Milwaukee, Wisconsin, with his team to now play their game's at Milwaukee County Stadium. Known as "Black Friday" to startled Boston fans, they were quickly stripped of their beloved National League franchise, with the legendary Red Sox now the only MLB Boston franchise remaining in "Beantown." This historical account substantiates the image's irrefutable March 1953 origin, with the three Brave's players little realizing they would be switching their Boston uniforms to Milwaukee flannels the following day.

Of utmost significance is the appearance of the immortal Jackie Robinson on the far left as well as his fellow Cooperstown inductee teammate Roy Campanella second from the right. Measuring approximately 7" x 9", the image portrays spectacular resolution and near-perfect contrast, with the relatively clean surface revealing only a few negligible wrinkles along the left border. Aesthetically brilliant to say the least, it depicts six African-American MLB ballplayers who only seven years earlier would have never imagined taking part in an MLB illustration, with the unprecedented courageous efforts of the immortal Jackie Robinson in 1947 revolutionizing our National Pastime and America forever!

MIN BID $300
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