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Lot # 640: 1956 Jackie Robinson Signed Handwritten Letter w/Signed Envelope - Outstanding Baseball Content (PSA) - "[Alston] is Strictly a Book Manager and Will Not Change at All"

Starting Bid: $500.00

Bids: 39 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "Summer Classic 2022",
which ran from 8/28/2022 7:00 PM to
9/17/2022 10:00 PM



Two-page handwritten letter (on each side of a single sheet), undated, signed by Jackie Robinson. Although the letter is undated, it is accompanied by its original mailing envelope, which is postmarked May 29, 1956. Both the letter and envelope bear "The Schenley Park Hotel" letterhead, but Robinson has added his scripted return address "Jackie Robinson/Brooklyn Dodgers" (grading 8/10) on the envelope, therefore the lot features two full Jackie Robinson signatures. In his letter, written to his good friend Bob Campbell, Robinson first discusses a recent ban on political speeches at his alma mater, U.C.L.A, and then discusses the Dodgers' slow start, including criticism of manager Walt Alston. In part: "I am very anxious to know how bad the school is affected by the ban. . . . if all is true times have certainly changed from the time I went out there. . . . We have been playing awful ball and I don't believe since I have been in the game has our team looked so helpless for such a period. I can not see us as a contender unless a spark is ignited soon but our manager just can not start one. He is strictly a book manager and will not change at all. I hope he does soon before we are out of contention. . . ." Signed "Jackie Robinson." Both the text and signature are scripted in blue ink and grade 9/10 overall. Brooklyn was 18-15 and in fifth place in the standings on May 29, 1956, the day of this letter. Fortunately, the Dodgers eventually found their way and repeated as National League Champions, but lost the World Series to the New York Yankees. Given the baseball content, this is an especially significant Robinson handwritten letter, featuring two full Robinson signatures, dating from his final season in the Majors. The letter (6x9.5") displays two horizontal folds and is in Excellent to Mint condition. The envelope (6.6x3.75") is also Excellent condition. Full LOA from PSA. 

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