Brooklyn Dodgers official photographer Barney Stein couldn’t have captured Jackie Robinson at a finer moment than he did in this 1949 original Type I photo. Just two seasons after crossing baseball’s color line under some of the most dehumanizing and demeaning conditions ever imposed on an athlete, Robinson had become one of the most respected ballplayers in the game. His 1949 season was solid proof to any remaining doubters that Jackie did indeed belong in the majors. He’d spent the spring of ’49 working with hitting legend George Sisler, which paid off with a 46-point raise to his batting average (.342). He also hit with more power than before, finishing second in the league in both doubles (38) and triples (12) while knocking 16 out of the park and driving in a career-best 124 runs. Furthermore, Jackie continued running the bases with wild abandon, swiping 37 and scoring 122 runs. His explosive production not only sparked the Dodgers to a pennant, but also won Robinson the 1949 NL MVP award.

This classic Barney Stein photograph captures Jackie following through one of his swings, with Ebbets Field serving as the picturesque background. The print measures 3-1/2” by 7” and has several printer’s notations on the reverse in various hands. This same image was used by the artists at Bowman Gum Company to create Robinson’s 1950 #22 issue, one of his most attractive and sought-after baseball cards. The photo has been encapsulated by PSA/DNA as Type I and also includes a separate LOA from photo expert Henry Yee confirming its use in creating Jackie’s 1950 Bowman card.