(LOT 176)
Extremely Scarce 1947 Bond Bread Jackie Robinson Coaster – One of Only a Few Known Examples
Jackie Robinson's historic 1947 signing with the Brooklyn Dodgers that broke baseball's "color barrier" inspired several companies to capitalize on the star 2nd baseman's popularity. One such manufacturer was the Bond Bread Baking Company that issued various type of Jackie Robinson artifacts in 1947 to promote their product; among them being a 13-card Robinson baseball card set, advertising posters and a very scarce Jackie Robinson coaster. Presented here is that seldom-surfacing coaster that was issued on thin cardboard stock, measuring approximately 3-3/4" in diameter. The first one we have seen and to the best of our knowledge, only a handful of them still exist. Its elaborate obverse side includes an imposing black & white portrait image of the Brooklyn Dodger icon, with its extremely bold red and black hued verbiage still emanating a majority of its original factory issued aesthetics.

The elaborate text clearly reads: "Jackie Robinson – POPULAR FIRST BASEMAN OF THE BROOKLYN DODGERS says buy its Homogenized" with a line drawing of the popular Bond loaf of bread. The outer circumference edging includes a red border and the coaster emulates a baseball via its horizontal red stitching affixed to the coaster's cream-colored base. With the exception of some negligible surface abrasions on the upper left red border, no glaring surface flaws are evident. The blank back includes some scattered toning and soiling spots, none of which diminish the superb overall eye appeal of this super obscure collectible. Little did Branch Rickey and Jackie Robinson realize that their landmark 1947 signing would forever change America's National Pastime with this dynamic duo etched in the minds and hearts of millions of avid baseball fans.

Jackie Robinson's influence on African-American baseball players is widely considered one of the game's iconic occurrences, such to the point that his immortal number 42 has been officially retired for ALL baseball teams. With that in mind, what better keepsake to capture than this inaugural 1947 Bond Bread coaster issued during his legendary rookie season, and widely considered one of Robinson's scarcest collectibles!

MIN BID $500
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