The great Jackie Robinson broke baseball’s color barrier on April 15 1947 when he started at first base for the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Dodgersfaced the Boston Braves that day and while the game was important Robinson’s participation was historical. In fact when it comes to designating important milestones in baseball’s history perhaps no single event – or baseball player in its long rich history – has had as much impact on our country than Jackie Robinsonsuiting up wearing No. 42 on his back that day.

This lot features a circa 1953-55 Jackie Robinson autographed Official National League (Giles) baseball. Showing its age the baseball was not onlysigned by Robinson but also by Dodgers pitcher Russ Meyer on a separate panel which helps date it based the years they played together. Robinson’s scrawl is strong (8/10 looking in our book) in vintage blue ballpoint pen and is located in his customary position inside the arch of stitching on the side panel. The baseball has Official National League stamping above the Giles stamping. A few small imperfections in the leather speckle the area of Robinson’s signature to little effect with a few more elsewhere on the ball.

Full LOA from PSA/DNA.