In the 1949 season, Jackie Robinson played at the peak of his Hall of Fame career. Displayed is a 1950 Jackie Robinson & Branch Rickey original Brown Brothers Type I photograph. Since Robinson did not break the modern Major League "Color Line" until 1947, when he was 28 years old, by Robinson's '49 season he was 30 years old. Jackie's '49 season was spectacular as he won the National League MVP and led the Brooklyn Dodgers to the NL Pennant. He led the NL in batting (.342), steals (37), and sacrifices (28), while scoring 122 runs and batting in 124 runs. Robinson, a naturally assertive man who never shied away from a fight, had agreed with Dodgers owner and executive Branch Rickey that he would suppress his combativeness in his first three seasons so as to peacefully pave the way for both him and other African American players to succeed. However, by most accounts, Robinson and Branch Rickey had agreed that after three years in the Major Leagues, that Jackie would no longer need to turn the other cheek in the face of physical or verbal abuse, and that he could finally fight back - and he did. In the 8x10" offered photograph, most likely taken in the Brooklyn Dodgers offices at 15 Montague Street in Brooklyn, Rickey, ever the showman, uses three of his famous "props"; his rimless spectacles, his ever-present cigar, and his bow tie. The photo back has two Brown Brothers (photographer) stamps. An unknown hand penned the following on back, in blue ink: "Brooklyn - 1/24/50/ Jackie Robinson, National League's Most Valuable player in 1949, is shown putting his signature on a Brooklyn Dodger contract today as Branch Rickey indicates the dotted line with his cigar.... His [Robinson's] contract is for $35,000, nearly double what Jackie got last year." The photograph has been encapsulated and PSA Certified as "TYPE I AUTHENTIC." The photograph is in EXCELLENT condition.

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