In the 1940s-50s, a "Subway Series" did not refer to the New York Yankees and the New York Mets playing a series of regular season games. In those halcyon days when New York City's Major League teams consisted of the Yankees, Brooklyn Dodgers, and New York Giants, a Subway Series involved the Bronx Bombers squaring off against the Dodgers or Giants in the World Series.

Presented are two (2) 1953 Subway World Series/New York Yankees vs. Brooklyn Dodgers team-signed programs. This offering includes Jackie Robinson's signature in each program, as well as other Dodgers' autographs. In Item #129540 (1-of-2): Hall of Fame signatures include Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, and Roy Campanella. Notables include Cookie Lavagetto (coach), Carl Erskine, Jim Gilliam, Wayne Belardi, Joe Black, and Rube Walker. This part of the offering comes with a PSA LOA for the signatures (Cert. Number AP07662). To quote the aforementioned PSA LOA: "However, the signatures of Billy Loes, Steve Kraly, Art Schalloch [sic], Gus Triandos, Bill Miller, Billy Cox, Clem Labine, Ben Wade, Dick Williams, Johnny Podres, Chuck Dressen, Billy Herman, Jake Pitler, Yogi Berra, Johnny Sain, Allie Reynolds, Ed Lopat, Phil Rizzuto, Vic Raschi, Mickey Mantle, Gil McDougald, Gene Woodling, Billy Martin, Whitey Ford, Hank Bauer, Jim Hughes, Dan Thompson, Joe Collins, Irv Noren, Jerry Coleman, Jim McDonald, Bob Kuzava, Johnny Mize, Willie Miranda, Charlie Silvera, Tom Gorman, Don Bollweg, Andy Carey and Bill Renna have been deemed clubhouse versions, a common practice of clubhouse/locker room personnel signing on behalf of an athlete."

This offering includes a second 1953 World Series New York Yankees versus Brooklyn Dodgers program, (designated 2-of-2). Hall of Fame signatures in this program include Jackie Robinson, Pee Wee Reese, Duke Snider, Gil Hodges, and Roy Campanella. Notables include Cookie Lavagetto (coach), Carl Erskine, Jim Gilliam, Wayne Belardi, Bob Morgan, Joe Black, and Rube Walker. This part of the offering also comes with a PSA LOA for the signatures (Cert. Number AP07661). To quote the aforementioned PSA LOA: "However, the signatures of Chuck Dressen [manager], Billy Herman [coach], Jake Pitler [coach], Yogi Berra, Allie Reynolds, Ed Lopat, George Shuba, Johnny Podres, Ben Wade, Dick Williams, Bill Antonello, Erv Palica, Billy Loes, Bob [sic] Miller, Jim Hughes, Phil Rizzuto, Vic Raschi, Mickey Mantle, Gil McDougald, Gene Woodling, Billy Martin, Whitey Ford, Hank Bauer, Johnny Sain, Joe Collins, Irv Noren, Jerry Coleman, Johnny Mize, Bob Kuzava, Jim McDonald, Willie Miranda, Tom Gorman, Charlie Silvera, Bill Renna, Don Bollweg, Steve Kraly, Gus Triandos, Art Schallock, Preacher Roe, Billy Cox, Russ Meyer, and Clem Labine  have been determined to be clubhouse versions, a common practice of clubhouse/locker room personnel signing on behalf of an athlete."

In the 1940s-50s, the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers met an incredible seven times in the Fall Classic - in '41, '47, '49, '52, '53, '56, and '57 - with the Brooklyn Dodgers' sole World Series victory coming in 1955. In the 1953 World Series, the Yankees won in six games as the Bomber second baseman, Billy Martin, was the World Series MVP with a .500 batting average, with a pair of home runs and eight RBIs. 

The programs measure 8.75x11.75 and have 48 pages, not including covers. Robinson and the others mostly signed in blue fountain ink. The signatures average 7-8/10. The programs exhibit some darkening. In the 1-of-2 program, there is some very minor corner wear and a small tear in the upper right corner, a a tiny stray ink mark, and a few minor stains. In addition, pages 23-26 of the 1-of-2 program have become loose (as a four-page unit), but they are in place in the program. The 2-of-2 program also has pages 23-26 loose (as a four-page unit) as there is a staple missing along the spine. There are a few very minor stains and some tiny creasing along the spine. Although the programs contain many clubhouse signatures, the valid signatures do include five Brooklyn Dodgers "Boys of Summer" Hall of Famers, plus "Boys of Summer" stars Carl Erskine and Joe Black. That alone makes the offering a great, nostalgic find.

Estimated domestic USA shipping cost only. Does not include handling or insurance: 35.02 Please feel free to contact us for a more accurate shipping cost.