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Lot # 639: 1956 Jackie Robinson Signed Chock Full O' Nuts Contract - Signed Prior to His Official Retirement (PSA)

Starting Bid: $1,000.00

Bids: 21 (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



Three-page contract, dated December 10, 1956, between Jackie Robinson and the "Chock Full O' Nuts Corp.," signed by both parties. One of the long-held fallacies regarding Jackie Robinson's retirement from baseball is that he did so because he did not want to play for the rival New York Giants after the club traded him to the Giants on December 13, 1956. However, as evidenced by the date of this contract, which is three days prior to his trade from the Dodgers to the Giants, the decision to retire had already been made. What complicated the matter at the time was that Robinson contractually signed an agreement with LOOK, which gave the magazine the exclusive rights to announce his retirement in its January 22, 1957, issue. The contract calls for Robinson to serve as the company's "Vice-President and Personnel Manager" and to "devote his entire time and attention exclusively to the business and affairs of the company." The contract is for seven years, but the company retains the right to terminate the agreement at the end of two years if it wishes. Robinson is to receive a salary of $20,000 per year for the first two years, and $30,000 per year for the remaining five years. Signed by "Jack R. Robinson" in blue ink (grading 7/10) and "Wm. Black" for Chuck Full O' Nuts. Robinson eventually served with the company for the full seven years of the agreement and even though Robinson had many other business interests prior to his death in 1972, Chock Full O' Nuts is still the company he is most associated with today. This is an especially significant Robinson contract, especially as it relates to the narrative of his retirement from the Dodgers. The contract (8x13") remains housed in its original blue docket and aside from the horizontal fold it remains in Excellent to Mint condition. The docket displays a paperclip impression near the top border and is in Excellent condition overall. Full LOA from PSA. 

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