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Lot # 812: 1953 Jackie Robinson Handwritten Letter in Which He Defends His Recent Comment Describing the New York Yankees Management as "Prejudice (sic)" (PSA MINT 9)

Starting Bid: $300.00

Bids: 33 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2023 Summer Classic",
which ran from 7/16/2023 7:00 PM to
8/5/2023 10:00 PM



Two-page handwritten letter (on two sides of a single sheet), undated, signed by Jackie Robinson. PSA has encapsulated the letter and graded the Robinson signature MINT 9. In his letter, on his personal letterhead, Robinson writes to his good friend Bob Campbell and recounts the controversy surrounding his recent comments on an NBC television program concerning the New York Yankees. In part:

. . . . a girl asked me if I thought the Yankees management were prejudice. After explaining how nice the players were I said I had to say yes to the the question. That was all that was said but from the papers it was made to appear that I went out of my way to accuse the Yanks. I have always been honest with myself and hope I always will so with three choices I chose the one that put me on a spot but that's the way I felt then and that's the way I feel now. . . . if I am asked the same question I'll have to give the same answer. Sometimes I wonder but the mail I received and the other comments I received made me happy. I did not take the easy way out. Of course I received many abusing letters but I expected that. . . .

Signed simply "Jack" in blue ink. The letter (8.5x11") displays two horizontal folds and two handwritten notations in the upper right corner reading, respectively, "Postmarked 1-12-53" and "Answered 1-13-53 RBL." Accompanied by the original mailing envelope (9.5x4.25"; VG) postmarked January 12, 1953. 

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