(LOT 1672)
Historically Significant 1947 Jackie Robinson "Rookie" PSA Type 1 Encapsulated Daily News Photo Measures Approx. 8" x 10"
This absolutely momentous April 11, 1947 image of Jackie Robinson donning his Brooklyn Dodger uniform for the first time at Ebbets Field stands as one of the most noteworthy Jackie Robinson photos on the planet! Indeed, while most enthusiasts retain their own personal opinions on desirability and potential value for the hobby's most prized artifacts, the prior $54,511 public sale of a Jackie Robinson photo donning his Montreal Royals uniform in the Dodgers clubhouse the prior April 10th day substantiates this offering's utmost significance. Its incredible popularity and value is attributed to the fact that it was this historic day that Jackie Robinson would trade his Royals uniform for the classic Brooklyn Dodgers "Blue & Gray" flannels. The previous day (April 10, 1947), in the fifth inning of a Royals exhibition game against the Dodgers, General Manager Branch Rickey's assistant, Arthur Mann, released this stunning official statement to the press "The Brooklyn Dodgers today purchased the contract of Jackie Roosevelt Robinson from the Montreal Royals."

To the shocking surprise of both an entire baseball community and America, this iconic press release immediately revolutionized professional baseball forever. Indeed, the floodgates had now officially opened for previously suppressed African-American ballplayers to have a "fair shake" in their quest for playing Major League Baseball. Thus, on April 11, 1947, Jackie would now be dressing to the tune of "Dodger Blues" in preparation for his exhibition game against the New York Yankees at Ebbets Field, with this 8" x 10" PSA Type 1 New York Daily News photo portraying the immortal Robinson during infield practice at first base. Wearing his exalted #42 Dodger uniform for the first time, Jackie would knock in three runs in Brooklyn's 14-6 victory against their arch-rival Yankees. Considering Robinson's major league debut was April 15, 1947, this image pre-dates that inaugural MLB game, clearly residing as one of the earliest Jackie Robinson Brooklyn Dodger photos extant.

Regarding its condition, the well-centered image reveals superb contrast as Robinson completes a throw from his first sacker position. Some stray wrinkles/light creases, a diminutive upper border tear and some negligible paper rippling along the upper and lower borders do not impede the awe-inspiring central image aesthetics that literally "turn back the clock" to that fabled 1947 Spring afternoon. The final exclamation point is the verso's caption that dates the image to April 11, 1947 while stating "Jackie Robinson gets the ball away while playing first base during infield practice". Interestingly enough, from the first day Branch Rickey spoke of Robinson, he made it perfectly clear he was "seeking a black ballplayer with great talent and personal character", and that Jackie was his man.

Both Robinson and Rickey exhibited an overwhelming level of courage throughout this endeavor, and many historians agree our National Pastime's most iconic moment was when the legendary Jackie Robinson broke the Major League's modern-day color barrier in April 1947 (the previous African-American to play major league baseball was Moses Fleetwood Walker in 1884). This ultra-rare photo truly captures the unparalleled significance of that April 11, 1947 day when Robinson would dress in a Brooklyn Dodgers uniform for the first time, proudly wearing his #42 Dodger blues for the remainder of his career. Yet, as most historians would attest to, Robinson's legacy extends far beyond baseball, for his unbridled bravery ultimately supported the justified notion that "all men are created equal", with his immortal stature serving as a profound testament to the unequivocal foundation America was soundly built upon!

MIN BID $2,500
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