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Lot # 826: 1947 Jackie Robinson Rookie Year Signed Licensing Contract (PSA GEM MINT 10 Auto)

Starting Bid: $1,000.00

Bids: 22 (Bid History)

Time Left: Auction closed
Lot / Auction Closed




This lot is closed. Bidding is not allowed.

Item was in Auction "2023 Fall Classic",
which ran from 10/29/2023 7:00 PM to
11/18/2023 10:00 PM



One-page typed contract, dated November 14, 1947, signed by Jackie Robinson just one month following his historic rookie season. Robinson was baseball's biggest story in 1947 and it is no surprise that companies came seeking his endorsement that fall. This agreement, between Maurice Burawoy, owner of the Pennsylvania Leather Products Company of New York, and Jackie Robinson, grants the company the right to reproduce Robinson's name and likeness on the company's leather goods. For that right, Robinson is to receive a royalty of 5% of all net sales made from the company's products bearing his likeness or name. The agreement has been signed at the base by both parties, as well as Art Flynn, as a witness (Flynn was a well-known player agent who specialized in commercial endorsements). Each signature has been executed in blue ink. Robinson was not the only player to sign on with Burawoy at the time. The company's line of leather goods, which included wallets, key chains, book bags, and pencil boxes, featured the endorsements of Joe DiMaggio, Ted Williams, Stan Musial, and several other top players. Today, all those leather products are rare, especially the Jackie Robinson items. The contract (8.5x13"), typed on onion skin, displays three horizontal folds, with a small tear along the right edge of the middle fold. A few light creases and a paperclip impression are also evident. Full LOA from JSA and full LOA from PSA. PSA graded the Jackie Robinson signature a perfect GEM MINT 10, and Art Flynn a NM-MT 8. Overall grade for the contract is PSA MINT 9.

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